Calabasas Reaches $4 Million Woolsey Fire Settlement With SCE

CALABASAS, CA — The City of Calabasas reached a $4 million settlement with Southern California Edison to resolve wildfire claims resulting from the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the City announced Wednesday.

The $4 million settlement is part of a larger $360 million settlement for a group of 23 public entities with various claims from the 2017 and 2018 Southern California wildfires, the press release said. The settlement does not affect the claims of residents, individuals, or businesses affected by the fires.

"Calabasas suffered taxpayer losses stemming from the 2018 Woolsey Fire," Calabasas Mayor David J. Shapiro said. "The funding coming to the City from this settlement will replenish the City’s resources, and be used as the City Council directs, including helping replace the City’s losses and mitigating the impact of the fire on the City’s community. We look forward to working with SCE to tackle the common challenges facing our community."

Judge Jay Gandhi (Ret.), a Mediator with JAMS arbitration services, presided over several days of in-person mediation sessions held in Los Angeles, the press release said. Participants in the mediation process included 23 public entities with various claims from the 2017 Thomas and Koenigstein Fires, the 2018 Montecito Debris Flows, and the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the press release said

After multiple days of mediation, Judge Gandhi awarded settlements for a combined total of $360 million, covering the fires and debris flows; Southern California Edison and all 23 public entities accepted the proposals.

Calabasas is represented by Contract City Attorneys Scott Howard and Matthew Summers with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC; and by outside counsel, Baron & Budd attorneys Scott Summy, John Fiske, Torri Sherlin, and Stephen Johnston, who represent 45 public entities in wildfire settlements statewide.