DUANE SIMPFENDERFER
LOS ANGELES — The conditions seemed right last week for Southern California Edison to power off the towering electric lines that sweep behind a row of stucco homes in the Sylmar foothills. Winds were high, humidity was low, and there was plenty of dry fuel to ignite if a Santa Ana gust caused a spark to fly or a transformer to blow.
But Edison did not power down the transmission lines, even though the utility cut electricity to other areas during those days of high, hot winds. Some nearby residents are now questioning that decision, especially with the news Monday that the 8,000-acre fire, which destroyed 17 structures and damaged 58, started beneath an Edison high-voltage transmission tower.
Edison this week repeatedly declined to answer questions on its decisionmaking before the fire, whose cause remains undetermined, according to fire investigators.
Edison revealed to regulators its equipment in the area was “impacted” about the time the fire began, but hasn’t offered further details. It also declined to comment on a state map that shows that the risk of a utility-sparked fire in that area is considered “extreme,” and National Weather Service data Oct. 10 showed wind gusts exceeded 30 mph in the area throughout the day and night.
The lack of clarity is renewing calls for more transparency from utility officials as they make decisions that could affect millions of Californians.
State Sen. Henry Stern, D-Canoga Park, whose district includes the area where the Saddleridge fire began, said utilities face a “complex tension” in which they get criticized if they are overly aggressive in shutting down power or take a risk in keeping the lights on.
“Our Monday morning quarterback says, ‘We should’ve shut down that line.’ But when we shut it down you’re mad,” said Stern. “You can’t democratize decision-making ... but we do have the right to know how they’re making that decision.”
The focus on Sylmar comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom, state regulators and consumer advocates have lambasted Pacific Gas & Electric for its widespread power outages of last week, which many called excessive. PG&E shut down power to millions of customers, while Edison cut electricity to far fewer, 24,000, drawing less attention to the utility, except now, with the Saddleridge fire.
As of Thursday morning, the fire had burnt 8,391 acres and was 56% contained.
After battling type-1 diabetes for 55+ years, and fighting his best against cancer, Duane Arthur Simpfenderfer Sr., age 69, passed away on Sunday, October 13th, rid of all ailments and free of all pain. Big Duane was born on June 17th, 1950, in Lodi, CA, to Art and LaVerna. He graduated from Lodi High in ‘68, where he excelled at multiple sports, then majored in Hotel Management at South Dakota State.
While continually coaching his sons’ sports teams, he was Exalted Ruler of the Stockton Elks Lodge, gave his time to the Lodi Chamber and multiple Street Faires, and led a few Grape Jam Hoop Shoots. When his body wouldn’t let him work as a financial planner anymore, he headed up the Day-2Day Diabetes Support Group of Lodi to help other diabetics combat the disease.
Duane leaves behind his precious and gentle 95yr old mother; his lovely wife of 38 years, Connie; wonderful sons, Duane Arthur, Michael, and Brian; beautiful daughter-in-laws, Sunelle (Michael) and Amy (Brian); and perfect grandchildren, Emmet and Haven, with two more little ones on the way; along with his sister, Joelyn Orchard; and brothers, Kendal and Terry.
Please join his family to celebrate his life at Faith Community Church on Sunday, October 27th at 2:00pm, with an early dinner and time to share at the Waterloo Gun and Bocce Club afterwards. Hubba hubba!
Please sign the guest book at lodinews.com/ guestbook.