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History of Success Our team has successfully resolved hundreds of cases for victims of wildfires in California.
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Offices Throughout California We are a California law firm with offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Ontario, Bakersfield, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Proven Track Record
Wisner Baum has recovered over $4 billion for our clients. We know what it takes to win big cases against big companies.
California Wildfire Lawyer
Wisner Baum will hold a virtual town hall meeting TODAY at 3:30 pm pst to discuss wildfire claims. Our attorneys will go through the insurance claims process, discuss common issues you and the community will face in the rebuild and recovery process, and talk what we know about the fires’ origin and any potential lawsuit. A Q&A will follow. Attendance is free. Link here to register!
Los Angeles Wildfire Updates – 2025
Wisner Baum represents people who have suffered losses in the LA wildfires. To help our clients, neighbors, and communities, we want to share some helpful resources for our fellow Angelenos in need.
Mutual Aid LA: This spreadsheet lists shelters, animal boarding, free meals and services, and more. It is organized by city and includes detailed notes on what is available.
FEMA Aid: President Biden announced a Major Disaster Declaration to supplement recovery efforts and help Los Angeles County residents with disaster-related needs. As attorneys, we want to emphasize that government aid will not affect homeowner’s insurance policy claims.
Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance
SBA Aid: Explore SBA's low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters.
Evacuation Orders: You can type your address or share your location using this link to get the latest evacuation information for your residence.
The California wildfire lawyers at Wisner Baum are dedicated to helping people recover and rebuild after a wildfire ravages their community. We have vast experience representing thousands of wildfire victims whose homes or apartments burned down, suffered business losses, paid for expensive evacuations, and suffered injury and death.
We are also committed to vindicating your legal rights if you suffered a loss from a wildfire due to a utility company’s failure to provide safe power to a community. Those who suffer harm, or lose their homes, land, or property after a wildfire may ask themselves who, if anyone, is responsible for the cost of rebuilding their lives. We want California fire victims to understand that they have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation for property loss, serious injury or death, or other damages.
Wildfire victims often find it difficult to get paid pursuant to their homeowner's or renters' policy, only to then find that they were underinsured and cannot fully rebuild. Your first step toward resolving insurance issues, applying for wildfire assistance, or pursuing a claim against a responsible party should be to retain an experienced California wildfire lawyer to advocate on your behalf. At Wisner Baum, we have extensive experience representing victims of mass disasters, including wildfires. We have helped thousands of clients obtain justice and maximum compensation. Across all areas of practice, our attorneys have earned more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements.
If you or someone in your family suffered losses in a California wildfire, fill out our contact form or give us a call at (855) 948-5098 for a free case evaluation. We represent wildfire claimants in California and nationwide. You will never get a bill from us or ever have to pay for our services unless we win your case.
Contact our experienced attorneys to learn about your legal options. Your consultation is free and confidential.
LOS ANGELES WILDFIRE UPDATES - 2025
January 13, 2025: Lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison (SCE) alleging its equipment caused the Eaton Fire, which has destroyed over 1,900 homes, businesses, and other structures.
January 13, 2025: The death toll from the LA fires has now climbed to 24, authorities say. Here is the latest on the fires still burning in LA:
- The Palisades Fire has burned nearly 24,000 acres and is at 14% containment. Over 1,280 structures have been destroyed and at least eight civilians have been killed.
- The Eaton Fire has burned over 14,000 acres and is at 33% containment. Over 1,900 structures have been destroyed and at least 11 civilians have been killed.
- The Hurst Fire has burned nearly 800 acres and is 95% contained.
January 9, 2025: Wildfire attorney Ari S. Freidman was interviewed on KNX radio in Los Angeles today to discuss homeowners polices, government aid, and the possibility of lawsuits stemming from the wildfires raging in LA.
Some of the highlights of the interview:
What should people who lost their house do? Will it be a hassle dealing with their insurance company?
“The first thing you need to do is contact the insurance company. Obviously, let them know of your situation. A lot of money under policies can be unlocked immediately to help with the immediate needs that a person or family may have. Whether or not it's a hassle can depend on a lot of different things. Typically, we've seen in instances where there's a total loss, the process can be wrapped up relatively quickly, assuming adjusters can get out to visit the site and confirm everything. The real big danger, however, is instances where people are underinsured.”
What about government agencies? Do they play a role in this? Does that role complicate claims?
“It doesn't complicate the issues of insurance, but any policy owner should be aware FEMA disaster aid has been unlocked and made available for fire victims. There may also be potential SBA loans, which are low-interest loans to help people recover and rebuild. So it doesn't frustrate or complicate the insurance process, but homeowners should be aware of that additional source of money that might help them better rebuild after this disaster.”
You can listen to the full interview here.
January 9, 2025: New fires have erupted in Los Angeles, and county officials announced school closures for all LA Unified schools. Here is the latest on the LA fires:
- The Sunset Fire began after 10:00 p.m. on January 8 near Runyon Canyon and swelled to about 43 acres. As of this afternoon, the fire is 100% contained, and evacuation orders have been lifted.
- The Lydia Fire began on January 8 in the Angeles National Forest near the neighborhood of Acton. As of this afternoon, it has burned 350 acres and is 60% contained. No evacuation orders.
- The Palisades Fire has reached over 17,000 acres (more than 27 square miles) and destroyed over 1,000 structures. It remains uncontained. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for much of the Pacific Palisades and Topanga. Portions of Malibu, Santa Monica, and Calabasas are also under evacuation. Authorities say one person has been killed in the Palisades Fire.
- The Eaton Fire has burned nearly 11,000 acres. The blaze has killed four people and destroyed many residences and businesses. It remains uncontained. Evacuation orders remain in effect for most of Altadena. Parts of Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, Sierra Madre, and Arcadia.
- The Hurst Fire has burned over 800 acres and is 10% contained. Evacuation orders remain in place for areas along the 5 Freeway near Granada Hills, Santa Clarita, and Newhall.
- The Woodley Fire burned 30 acres and is 100% contained today.
Two other wildfires—the Tyler Fire in Riverside and the Olivas Fire in Ventura—burned roughly 11 acres each and are now 100% contained.
January 8, 2025: California wildfire attorney Ari Friedman spoke to the media about the ongoing fires raging throughout Los Angeles County. An LA Timesarticle published today said fire hydrants in the Palisades ran dry due to extreme demand as fire officials worked to contain the Palisades Fire.
According to Friedman, “it looks like the demand for water overwhelmed the local supply, and because of the high rate of use, there was not enough water in the system to maintain the pressure the hydrants need to function effectively.
“That doesn’t immediately point to an equipment or water line failure as a lawyer might think of it. The Palisades are served by water tanks because of its high elevation. It will remain to be seen whether it was feasible to have modernized the infrastructure so the water tanks were better supplied, or if options to connect the neighborhood to the city’s water grid had been adequately explored.”
January 8, 2025: Our wildfire legal team is actively tracking multiple devastating fires across Los Angeles County that have prompted mass evacuations and caused extensive damage. Most severe among these is the Palisades Fire, which has demonstrated unprecedented growth rates and already destroyed over 1,000 structures.
- Palisades Fire: Over 11,000 acres burned and 0% containment as of Wednesday afternoon. Evacuation orders remain in place for Topanga Canyon, Malibu, Calabasas, and other areas.
Check CalFire for the latest updates on the Palisades Fire. - Eaton Fire: Over 1,000 acres burned and 0% containment. Evacuation orders remain in place for parts of Altadena, Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, Sierra Madre, and other areas.
Check CalFire for the latest updates on the Eaton Fire. - Hurst Fire Roughly 500 acres burned and 0% containment. Evacuation orders remain in place for parts of Granada Hills, Santa Clarita, and Newhall.
Check CalFire for the latest updates on the Hurst Fire. - Woodley Fire: The Woodley Fire started this morning west of the 405 Freeway near the Sepulveda Basin. It has burned 30 acres and is at 0% containment.
Check CalFire for the latest updates on the Woodley Fire.
All four Southern California wildfires are being fueled by intense Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions, with authorities indicating containment is not currently possible.
As investigations into these fires commence, our firm will be particularly focused on determining whether utility infrastructure played any role in their ignition. If evidence reveals that utility company negligence contributed to any of these fires, affected residents may be entitled to compensation for property damage, evacuation costs, and other losses. This applies particularly to those in the heavily impacted Palisades area, where structural losses have been extensive.
We encourage affected residents to document all expenses and damages related to evacuation and property loss. Our team stands ready to assist those impacted by these fires in understanding and pursuing their legal rights.
January 7, 2025: Our firm is monitoring three Southern California wildfires.
- The Palisades Fire started southeast of Palisades Drive in the Pacific Palisades at 10:30 a.m. local time. It has since erupted to consume over 3,000 acres. Evacuation orders include areas east of Kenter Avenue and north to Mulholland Road, stretching south to Pacific Coast Highway and west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
- The Eaton Fire started near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in Altadena just after 6:00 p.m. local time. It has burned over 1,000 acres. Evacuation orders include areas east of Allen Avenue, north of Washington Boulevard and west of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue.
- The Hurst Fire began after 10:00 p.m. local time at at Yarnell, north of Foothill Boulevard, in the San Fernando Valley. It has burned roughly 500 acres. Evacuation orders are in place for areas north of the 210 Freeway from Roxford to the Interstate 5 and 14 Freeway split.
Firefighters have not been able to make much progress containing any of these fires because of high winds gusting throughout Southern California. High winds are expected to continue through tomorrow. We will continue to monitor these fires.
The decision to hire a lawyer after a wildfire boils down to your claims for damages and the complexity of your case. You should consider hiring a wildfire lawyer if:
- You or someone in your family sustained injuries in the fire.
- Your home or business was damaged or destroyed.
- Your homeowner's, business, or renter’s insurance policy will not cover your costs.
- A utility company’s equipment is suspected of starting the wildfire.
- There is a dispute over financial compensation from the insurance company.
You probably do not need a wildfire lawyer if:
- Your insurance will cover the costs in full.
- The cause of the wildfire was an act of God.
Yes. If a utility company is responsible for causing the wildfire, California law requires utility companies to pay for economic damages caused by fires starting with their equipment or electrical grid. This includes damages or losses of homes, businesses, as well as medical bills arising from those injured and potentially significant amounts to families who lost loved ones. A lawsuit is one option for wildfire victims to pursue compensation for any losses.
Those with insurance that covers wildfires can file an insurance claim to repair, rebuild, or replace their home and personal property or business losses. Wildfire victims may also file a claim for relief with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and potentially get a low-interest loan from the Small Business Association. Very often, however, the only way wildfire victims can recover for all of their losses and harm is to sue those responsible in a lawsuit.
A lawsuit against those responsible for causing the fire can occur even if you don’t have insurance coverage. Even if your insurance covers wildfires, your policy may not cover the entire scope of damages sustained, including evacuation costs, medical costs, permanent injury, loss of animals or pets, temporary housing, and lost income, among many others. A wildfire lawsuit is the way that your right to recover for the entirety of your losses can be pursued.
If public adjustors or insurance companies make an unfounded claim that you are not covered or dispute the value of your loss, a wildfire lawyer can fight to overturn that decision and force payment as required by your policy. If the refusal to honor your rights under your policy is made by your insurance company in bad faith, an attorney can sue to enforce your insurance rights and for all other damages you incur as a result of such refusal, including the possibility of recovering damages to punish bad faith conduct; such recoveries could be substantial.
A wildfire attorney is your advocate against any parties responsible for causing the fire, and, if necessary, against the insurance company. At Wisner Baum, our wildfire litigation team has extensive experience litigating fire cases. We know how to conduct a thorough investigation to prove liability and set the correct value for your losses.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE LAWSUIT TEAM
A TRADITION OF SUCCESS
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Ari Friedman Attorney, PartnerRead BioAri Friedman is a partner and trial attorney at Wisner Baum with over a decade of experience handling significant litigation involving corporate wrongdoing, including wildfire cases. He has helped hundreds of homeowners, high-net-worth individuals, and companies navigate the complexities of insurance claims and litigation with losses connected to utility-caused natural disasters and wildfires. Most recently, he helped victims recover from the devastating effects of the Woolsey, Thomas, and Bobcat fires.
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Matthew French Associate, AttorneyRead Bio
Matthew French is an integral member of the litigation team that successfully represented hundreds of Camp and Woolsey fire victims. He is at his best working on cases that not only help his clients but also affect positive change and deter similar incidents from happening in the future.
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Michael Baum Attorney, Senior PartnerRead Bio
Michael L. Baum is a senior partner at Wisner Baum. His experience litigating fire cases began in 1987 when he worked on the Dupont Plaza Hotel arson case, one of the deadliest hotel fires in U.S. history. His leadership in the firm’s cases against PG&E and SCE after the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire helped hundreds of clients obtain just compensation for their losses.
Wildfire FAQ
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WHEN DOES WILDFIRE SEASON OFFICIALLY START AND END?
While wildfires can occur year-round in California, the traditional wildfire season typically runs from late spring (May/June) through early winter (November/December). -
HAS THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE SEASON CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?
Yes, climate change has extended California's fire season. Many experts now consider California to have a year-round fire season, though the most dangerous period remains summer through late fall. -
WHEN IS THE PEAK OF FIRE SEASON IN CALIFORNIA?
The most severe fire conditions typically occur between July and October, when dry vegetation combines with hot temperatures and strong winds like the Santa Ana winds. -
WHY IS LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR CALIFORNIA FIRES?
This period is especially risky because:
- Vegetation has dried out after the summer heat
- Fall winds are the strongest
- There has been little to no rainfall for several months
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ARE THERE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN CALIFORNIA FIRE SEASON TIMING?
Yes. Northern California's fire season often peaks slightly earlier (July-September) than Southern California's (August-November) due to different climate patterns and wind conditions.
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WILL MY INSURANCE COVER A WILDFIRE?
Most standard homeowner's insurance policies in California cover wildfire damage. Typical homeowner’s policies include coverage for:
- Home or dwelling
- Other structures (detached garage, storage shed, and more)
- Personal belongings (appliances, electronics, and other furnishings)
- Additional living expenses if the home becomes uninhabitable
- Landscaping
However, homeowners must carefully review their specific policy details, as coverage limits can vary. We recommend homeowners periodically review their insurance needs to ensure they have adequate coverage.
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WHAT IS THE CALIFORNIA FAIR PLAN?
The California FAIR Plan provides an alternative for homeowners who find it challenging to secure a suitable policy for their home. The FAIR Plan is a state-mandated program designed to offer basic fire insurance for high-risk properties that cannot obtain coverage through the traditional market. Although Fair Plan policies offer some coverage, it is often the case that they do not offer enough to allow a homeowner to rebuild what they lost. With the increased frequency and severity of wildfires throughout California, some insurance companies have unfortunately become more selective about providing coverage in areas deemed “high-risk.” This forces more and more homeowners to secure a Fair Plan policy and are placed at risk of being underinsured in the event of a disaster.
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What Are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?
The law requires insurance companies to act ‘in good faith’ when processing a policy holder’s claim. As such, the insurer cannot look for ways to renege on its obligation to investigate a claim and pay the policyholder – doing so would be acting ‘in bad faith.’ Your homeowner’s insurance company must process your claim honestly and fairly, even if the company stands to lose money. Nevertheless, insurance adjusters may look for any reason to lower your claim amount or outright deny your claim by manipulating investigation findings or misrepresenting aspects of your policy. Some companies may refuse to investigate your claim, or flat out refuse to pay your claim without providing any explanation. If you believe your homeowner’s insurance company is acting in bad faith, we can help. An experienced wildfire attorney advocating for you can make all the difference in resolving your insurance claim quickly and fairly. -
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION AFTER WILDFIRES?
Ordinarily, insurance companies acting in good faith will make advances to policyholders affected by wildfires. If you submit claims for losses quickly, your insurance company should follow suit and make funds available to you. If they do not, they may need to be nudged. The insurance company may need to bring in appraisers, investigators or others to verify your claims for losses, which could take weeks or months. While every case is unique, litigation is rarely finalized in less than 18 months. A settlement could happen sooner, but a mass action on this scale will likely take at least 18 months and possibly longer. -
WILL MY HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE CLAIM AFFECT MY WILDFIRE LAWSUIT?
The insurance claim affects the lawsuit only in that you cannot recover for the same thing twice. If you receive compensation from the insurance company for 100% of your property damage, then you cannot also get compensation from a civil lawsuit against a utility company for that same property damage. But you can get compensated in a civil lawsuit for injuries and damages beyond what the insurance pays. For example, for the true full value of your home or vehicle. Or the loss of a pet, life-long lung issues from breathing in melted plastic, smoke and ash, PTSD, other injuries, or even death. A settlement from a civil lawsuit could also cover evacuation costs (beyond what your insurance might pay), temporary housing costs, loss of sentimental items, family photos, videos, heirlooms, jewelry, paintings, etc. -
WILL MY WILDFIRE LAWSUIT AFFECT MY HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE CLAIM?
No. A wildfire lawsuit does not interfere with or subtract from your rights under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Between your homeowner’s insurance claim and the litigation, your homeowner’s insurance policy claim is the first priority. As our client, if you are satisfied with your insurance claim and recover 100% of what your insurer owes you without litigation, there are no attorneys’ fees. If you are unsatisfied, we will represent you in a first party bad faith lawsuit against your insurance company and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. -
ARE WILDFIRE LAWSUITS PART OF A CLASS ACTION?
No. Wildfire lawyers typically file every case individually, and all the victims of a wildfire will generally be coordinated in one court in front of one judge. This is generally called a “mass action.” A mass action generally allows for greater compensation for each wildfire victim who elects to pursue their rights and lowers overall costs for each individual plaintiff as they can share the costs in pursuing the utility company for damages.
Mass actions share similarities with class actions:
- Both involve many claimants (hundreds or even thousands) who were harmed.
- Both are filed against common defendants that allegedly caused harm.
- All claims are consolidated into one courtroom with one judge rather than individual lawsuits.
- Procedurally, this optimizes a large number of similar court cases against the same defendant(s).
The critical difference between the two is how the plaintiffs are treated. In a class action, the class representative stands for the large group of plaintiffs known as “the class.” All class members suffered similar harm as a result of the defendant’s actions or inactions. The class representative sues the defendant(s) on behalf of the entire class, which means all class members are treated as one individual plaintiff; the fate of the class representative determines the fate of the class.
In a mass action, each plaintiff is treated individually, even though their claim is part of a large group. As such, each individual can establish how, and to what extent, they were harmed by the defendant(s) conduct based on the facts of their unique case. In this way, each plaintiff can seek and recover fully for his or her losses regardless of the amount of loss of any other plaintiff.
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WHAT IF MY INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER A WILDFIRE?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (your policy lacks fire coverage) and your home or property was destroyed or damaged, you still have the right to pursue compensation for your losses in a lawsuit against any entities responsible for causing the wildfire. For the uninsured, a wildfire lawsuit is likely your best option for recovering any losses incurred as a result of the fire (though not the only option, as some victims may receive relief from FEMA, for example). Wisner Baum will work to obtain maximum compensation for our clients whether they have homeowner’s insurance or not.
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HOW DO YOU PROVE LIABILITY IN A WILDFIRE CLAIM?
Pursuing a legal remedy against a utility company for damages stemming from a California wildfire requires a complex inquiry. Victims must establish that one or more of the following can be proved with legally sufficient evidence:
- The utility company’s equipment caused the wildfire.
- The actions or inactions of utility company personnel caused the wildfire.
- The utility company’s policies or procedures were negligent or otherwise violated the law, leading to the cause of the fire.
- Another entity caused or contributed to the start or the spread of the fire.
To properly handle your case, you need an experienced California wildfire lawyer to investigate and advocate on your behalf.
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HOW DOES A WILDFIRE LAWSUIT WORK?
At the start of your wildfire claim, our legal team will ask questions and gather information from you, such as a list of property losses and any other relevant documents to help get your claim(s) filed quickly and accurately. We will thoroughly explore with you the full extent of the losses you suffered so as to be able to fully advise you of your rights.
If you do, we then swing into action on your behalf. We will help you answer any questions from your insurance company or parties named in the litigation as they arise. In addition to written questions, some plaintiffs may be asked to sit for depositions. These are opportunities for the defense to find out more about the claims being made in your case. We will draw on any number of experts we have used for years to help adequately evaluate your loss, such as a general contractor to determine your home’s value, or an arborist to determine the value of your landscaping. Again, we will help make this process as streamlined, comfortable, and simple as possible.
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Should I Get Involved in a Wildfire Lawsuit?
If a homeowner’s insurance policy claim does not pay the true value of your losses, filing a wildfire lawsuit provides the opportunity to recover the balance of those losses. Let’s say, for example, a policyholder’s limit is $1 million but their actual losses, including evacuation costs, temporary housing, medical costs, uninsured property damage, business loss, animal loss or other out-of-pocket loss is valued at $2 million, the litigation can recover the $1 million balance you deserve. Another common problem is a policyholder’s property value exceeding their policy limit. Litigation against those who are responsible for the fire can help recover damages to make up the difference between your insurance limit and the true value of your property. Likewise, if a wildfire victim develops any health issues from evacuating, such as smoke inhalation, the litigation can recover damages per each individual claim. Finally, a wildfire lawsuit sends a clear message that California residents will not tolerate the corporate, and perhaps government, negligence that caused these disasters. The utility companies under investigation for possibly causing the latest California wildfires were implicated in previous fires in which thousands of people lost their homes, and where some, tragically, lost their lives. Pursuing legal action against any company responsible for causing these fires will hopefully deter similar action (or inaction) in the future.
Victims of wildfires may find themselves overwhelmed at the volume of things they need to sort out before they can start rebuilding their lives. A client of ours, who lost his home in the Woolsey fire, shared this list to help others after a wildfire.
Short-Term Checklist for Wildfire Victims
- Get a PO Box.
- Find a nice place that you like; don’t settle. Many policies allow for a policy holder to secure alternative housing in a “Like Property”, which can include location, amenities, and square footage. When a wildfire devastates an entire community, this often causes housing rates to increase, and an insurance company will often try to lowball you to accept something less than what you deserve to save money.
- Buy sturdy boots, gloves and some shovels.
- Start working on the personal property list. This is a difficult task, one that will be highly emotional. Write down the moment you remember anything and keep your list on a phone or carry a pad of paper with you at all times.
- Save your receipts. Loss-of-use insurance will cover incidentals, such as hairbrushes and phone chargers.
- As you buy things, tell the store owner your situation. Most stores will give you some level of discount as their way of helping you.
- Let people do things for you. Do you have a friend who can take you to the store to buy you some basic clothes or comfort foods? Let them do it.
- Take photographs after the fire and gather photographs of your home and life before the fire that you, your family or friends might have taken.
Long-Term Checklist for Wildfire Victims
- Register at the shelters, with Red Cross, FEMA and any other agency there. Most of the aid coming in will use these lists as a point of contact and this will help to ensure that you don’t get left out of anything. This will be especially important with FEMA, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Call your homeowners/renters insurance and request a copy of your policy. Many states require them to give a copy to you within a certain time. During that call inform them of your loss to trigger your “Loss of Use” coverage. This will typically allow you to be in a “Like” property for a fixed amount of time with a dollar limit attached, depending on your policy’s terms. It should also give you some immediate access to funds for essentials, including clothes, toothbrushes, food, etc. This will also get the ball rolling for the insurance claim on your home, personal property, etc.
- Follow up on every single phone call with your insurance company with a confirming email. It is a known insurance tactic to change adjusters on you every few months to slow down and frustrate the claims process. By having a written record of communications you can avoid any situation of having to re-explain your situation to someone new.
- Get a PO Box and forward all mail. Use this PO Box as the mailing address on all forms you begin to fill out.
- Start Searching for a long-term rental. Coordinate with your insurance company so that payments can be made directly from them using your “Loss of Use” money. Plan on renting 1-2 years, but do not necessarily sign a lease for a full two years, as circumstances can change.
- Create an itemized list of belongings. This is very hard but very necessary for your claim. Organize by room and list everything that was there with a replacement cost. Replacement cost should be what it would cost to replace, not what it cost when it was on sale. Make sure you list everything, even if it is above and beyond your policy limit. This is very important because everything above and beyond the policy limit is considered a loss and can be claimed as such on your taxes. (See #9 below)
- Call all of your utilities and either freeze, cancel service or update to PO Box.
- Call the rest of your insurers as needed, including your car insurance or any specialty insurance for unique items.
- Secure permits. An unfortunate necessity, you will need permits for:
- Debris Removal: As things wind down, it will be necessary to remove the debris. This usually requires a permit, but it should be covered by your insurance.
- Erosion Control: If you are on any hill or have sloped property, you will need to put some sort of erosion control measures in place. Again, this will need permitting.
- Temporary Power Pole/Trailer On-Site Permit: Getting this earlier on can prove helpful in the rebuilding process.
- Network with others. You will learn so much from others as you go through the rebuilding process. We all have our strengths, so share yours and accept help from others. The amount of time that you will spend on the rebuild, insurance, and recovery process is staggering, so you should use any and all resources at your disposal.
You can stay updated on the latest California wildfire news by connecting to the following resources:
CalFire Wildfire Map – This is an important resource for anyone who may be near a wildfire. CalFire regularly updates its fire map, which includes the names of active fires, where the fire is, acres burned, date started, area contained, and more. CalFire also regularly shares information on social media, so be sure to follow them on Twitter or Facebook for the latest information.
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) – You can sign up to receive important alerts from Cal OES, view wildfire maps, find California wildfire shelters, and access important resources. Evacuation centers can be found here.
Local Fire Stations – We highly encourage Californians to acquaint themselves of their local fire station to get information. Local fire authorities will also have the best information on specific shelter operations if wildfire evacuations are ordered near you.
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a dataset for natural disaster risk, including wildfires. According to government data, the following California counties are most at risk for wildfires:
Riverside County
- Risk index: Very high (100/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $319 million
- Frequency: 2.4% chance per year
San Diego County
- Risk index: Very high (100/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $382 million
- Frequency: 2.7% chance per year
San Bernardino County
- Risk index: Very high (99.9/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $134 million
- Frequency: 0.97 % chance per year
Los Angeles County
- Risk index: Very high (99.9/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $109 million
- Frequency: 0.8% chance per year
Ventura County
- Risk index: Relatively high (99.9/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $48 million
- Frequency: 1.3% chance per year
Orange County
- Risk index: Relatively high (99.8/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $50 million
- Frequency: 1.5% chance per year
Kern County
- Risk index: Relatively high (99.7/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfire: $28 million
- Frequency: 0.7% chance per year
Madera County
- Risk index: Relatively high (99.6/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $20 million
- Frequency: 0.8% chance per year
Santa Barbara County
- Risk index: Relatively high (99.5/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $24 million
- Frequency: 0.8% chance per year
Tuolumne County
- Risk index: Relatively high (99.5/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $21 million
- Frequency: 0.96% chance per year
Butte County
- Risk index: Relatively high (98.8/100)
- Expected annual loss from wildfires: $14 million
- Frequency: 0.55% chance per year
For more information on how FEMA calculates risk for wildfires, click here.
Utility companies in California are responsible for safely installing, inspecting, maintaining, and operating their equipment. When they fail to uphold these duties, they can be held accountable for the ensuing damage.
Below is a list of recent California wildfires that involved Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE).
The Camp Fire in Northern California was triggered by PG&E's electrical transmission lines. It was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history, killing 85 people and leveling Paradise, Concow, and parts of Magalia. In 2019, PG&E agreed to pay $13.5 billion to resolve claims following the Camp Fire and other Northern California wildfires. The Fire Victim Trust was established shortly thereafter. As of June 2024, the Fire Victim Trust has paid $12.42 billion to eligible wildfire claimants.
Wisner Baum successfully represented Camp Fire victims and their families in wildfire claims.
Kincade Fire (2019)
The Kincade Fire was ignited by PG&E's electrical equipment in Sonoma County. It burned nearly 78,000 acres, damaged hundreds of structures around Geyserville, and led to extensive evacuations. The Kincade Fire settlement paid $31 million to eight public entities.
Zogg Fire (2020)
Faulty PG&E equipment was linked to the start of the Zogg Fire in Shasta County, which resulted in several fatalities and the destruction of hundreds of structures. The Zogg Fire settlement paid $12 million to Shasta County and Tehama County.
Dixie Fire (2021)
PG&E reported that its equipment might have ignited the Dixie Fire, which destroyed over 1,300 structures, including roughly 600 residences. The fire damaged nearly 100 other structures and threatened 14,000 more in the communities of Canyondam, Greenville, and Indian Falls.
In 2024, PG&E agreed to a settlement worth $45 million.
Thomas Fire (2017)
The Thomas Fire scorched over 280,000 acres and destroyed approximately 1,060 structures in Santa Barbara County and Ventura County. Officials said the fire started when SCE power lines touched amid high winds. The California Utilities Commission noted in its investigative report that SCE committed five violations of the Public Utility Code.
Wisner Baum attorney Ari Freidman successfully represented victims of the Thomas Fire.
SCE’s equipment was implicated in the ignition of the Woolsey Fire, which killed three people and destroyed over 165,000 structures in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
Wisner Baum successfully represented Woolsey Fire victims in wildfire lawsuits, earning full and fair compensation on their behalf.
Northbay Fires
A government investigation concluded that a dozen Northern California wildfires in the October 2017 Fire Siege were caused by electric power and distribution lines, conductors, and power pole failure. Lawsuits against PG&E alleged the utility failed to properly inspect and maintain equipment and clear vegetation from its power lines. Furthermore, PG&E violated the law and is legally responsible for the damages caused by the fires.
Wisner Baum wildfire attorney Ari Friedman successfully represented victims of the Northbay Fires.
Bobcat Fire
The Bobcat Fire consumed over 114,000 acres, destroyed 171 structures and 178 vehicles. It led to the evacuations of Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, and Duarte, and cost an estimated $100 million to contain.
Investigators concluded that the Bobcat Fire was caused by a tree coming into contact with power lines owned by Southern California Edison (SCE). Legal claims stemming from the fire claimed that SCE and Utility Tree Service (UTS), which maintained the lines, knew of the danger but failed to take appropriate action.
Wisner Baum wildfire attorney Ari Friedman successfully represented Bobcat Fire victims.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE ATTORNEYS WITH PROVEN RESULTS
Taking legal action is one of the best ways to correct the troubling corporate behavior of California utility companies responsible for wildfires. At Wisner Baum, we are not only invested in making you and your family financially whole again, we also want to send a message to any companies responsible for starting a wildfire that California residents will not tolerate their wrongdoing.
If you don’t have insurance that covers wildfires, you need an attorney to help you hold accountable those responsible for starting the fire. Like with the PG&E fire, when a utility company has started a fire, California law requires them to pay damages resulting from that fire. Therefore, even if you find yourself uninsured, or worse, become injured or lose a loved one, there is still a way to get justice and compensation for your losses.
An attorney can also be helpful even if you do have full-coverage insurance. Anyone who has filed an insurance claim knows how draining the process can be, and unfortunately, this is especially so for the victims of wildfires. Home insurance policyholders need experienced legal representation to advocate on their behalf and find the compensation they are entitled to after suffering serious losses.
Our team of California wildfire attorneys can help ensure that your policy claims are processed honestly and in good faith. We accomplish this by conducting our own investigation into your losses to ensure that insurance adjusters do not falsely invalidate any of your claims.
Contact us today or call (855) 948-5098 for a free case evaluation.