a controversial practice, even though it is done in places like california, nevada, oregon as a way of preventing wildfires. the electric company spokesperson told cnn that their priority is to support the people and county of maui and they re disappointed that the county took this litigious route. separately the washington post is reporting that the utility removed damaged poles, downed lines and other equipment from where the lahaina fires reportedly started, which prevented investigators from being able to view the scene undisturbed. that s according to the post s investigation into court documents, letters and records, cnn is still trying to independently confirm that. but the post does report that those actions violated national guidelines on how utilities should handle and preserve evidence after a wildfire. and deprives investigators of that opportunity to view any downed poles or lines in that
warnings in those days leading up to the fires that they knew there was a high probability that wildfires may happen. to that end, the ceo and president of hawaii electric said a week after the fires that that is actually controversial practice. even though there are places like california, oregon, nevada that shut down those lines, deenergized the way of preventing wildfires. to the lawsuit, the spokesperson of the utility companies told cnn that their main priority is to take care of residents and the county and they are disappointed that the county took this litigious route. the washington post is reporting that the utility actually removed poles and lines, other equipment from where the fires started preventing investigators from being able to deal with the original scene. that s according to the post s investigation into court documents, letters, records, cnn is still working to undependently confirm that.
cultural sites. they also say specifically that the electric companies didn t keep up their equipment very well. there was advanced wood decay. they did not have a policy or decide to shut down the power lines, deenergize them when there was a high wind watch and red flag warning. specifically to issue, the president and ceo of hawaii electric said a week after the fires that this was actually a controversial practice, even though it s done in places like california, nevada, oregon, as a way of preventing wildfires. the electric company spokesperson told cnn that their priority is to support the people and county of maui, and they are disappointed that the county took this litigious route. separately, the washington post is reporting that the utility removed damaged poles, downed lines and other equipment from where the fires reportedly started, which prevented
used, it is controversial and it s not universally accepted. it s seen it can be seen as creating a hardship for those customers that have medical needs, that are at higher risk. reporter: so you see there is some disagreement about that. the company did tell cnn they are disappointed that the county took this litigious route. separately the washington post is reporting that the utility actually removed poles and lines, other equipment, from where the lahaina fire reportedly started and that s from the washington post obtaining court records, letters, documents. cnn is still working to independently confirm that. the post says that this action violated national guidelines on how utilities should handle and preserve evidence after a wildfire. to that, the company spokesperson told the washington post that they are in regular communication with the atf and local authorities and cooperating to provide them,
reporter: and jim, the electric company s spokesperson told cnn they re disappointed the county took this litigious route. the washington post is reporting, natasha, that the power company this is quite alarming to hear may have compromised deliberately even compromised evidence. what are the details exactly? how so? reporter: well, the washington post went through court records, letters, and documents where they say the utility removed damaged poles, lines, and other equipment from where the lahaina fire reportedly started before investigators were able to view the scene. and cnn is still working to confirm those details independently. but the post reports that this violated national guidelines on how utilities should handle and preserve evidence after a wildfire, that this deprives investigators the opportunity to view these downed poles and lines. in response, a spokesperson from the company told the washington post that they are in regular