The Eaton Fire began in Southern California Edison's service area on Tuesday afternoon, according to a statement from parent company Edison International.

The company will likely face questions over whether any of its power lines may have contributed to the fires. No officials have made any statements on this issue.

Fear and uncertainty surrounding the wildfires in California appear to be weighing on shares of Edison International, whose Southern California Edison is the power utility for the areas directly surrounding the city of Los Angeles.

The onslaught of wildfires in Los Angeles and surrounding southern California communities has caused a dramatic drop in the stock of Edison International, the utility that serves much of the affected area, affecting the utility’s 401 (k) plan investors who hold company stock.

Southern California Edison has instituted public safety power shutoffs in the mountains west of Palm Springs as at least four major fires raged across Southern California amid dangerous Santa Ana winds. The shutoffs impacted tens of thousands of people across Riverside County.

Edison International’s shares and bonds fell on Wednesday as a wildfire raged across the Los Angeles region, close to areas served by the company’s utility unit.

Key Takeaways Shares of Edison International plunged Wednesday as its Southern California Edison subsidiary was forced to shut off power to thousands of customers because of the Los Angeles-area wildfires.