An electric utility executive told the Los Angeles Times Wednesday that the winds during the Eaton fire, which began ravaging parts of Altadena on January 7, did not reach the intensity necessary to warrant the de-energization of a significant electrical transmission line – now being investigated as a possible ignition source for the fire.

Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell shared the company’s decision not to de-energize a key electrical transmission line, stating that the winds in Eaton Canyon did not meet the 60 to 80 mph threshold often required for such action. Edison closely monitored the weather that day, Powell said.

Despite reports from residents who witnessed flames erupting at the base of a transmission tower, Powell maintained that Edison’s data revealed no abnormalities in the 12 hours leading up to the fire, according to the news outlet.