May 23 (Reuters) - Southern California Edison (SCE), a

unit of utility Edison International ( EIX ), agreed on Friday

to pay $82.5 million to settle claims with the U.S. Forest

Service for costs and damages resulting from the Bobcat Fire in

2020.

The U.S. government had filed a lawsuit against SCE in 2023,

alleging negligence that caused the wildfire, which burned

nearly 180 square miles (466.2 square kilometers) in one of the

largest wildfires in Los Angeles County.

In a complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court, the

government alleged that the wildfire began on September 6, 2020,

when a poorly maintained tree contacted power lines, igniting

vegetation on a branch, which then fell to the ground and spread

the fire.

"This record settlement against Southern California Edison

provides meaningful compensation to taxpayers for the extensive

costs of fighting the Bobcat Fire and for the widespread damage

to public lands," said United States Attorney Bill Essayli.

The company has agreed to pay the settlement within 60 days

of the effective date of the settlement agreement, which was May

14, without admitting wrongdoing or fault, the U.S. attorney's

office in Los Angeles said.

The utility did not immediately respond to a Reuters request

for comment.