When California farmer Glenn Kile attempted to get rid of an underground wasp nest on his land, he didn’t expect to accidentally start the biggest fire in California wildfires history, according to a recent article in The New York Times.

Glenn is allergic to wasp stings, so he knew he needed to seal off the wasp nest in his backyard. However, by pounding a metal stake in his backyard to get rid of the wasp nest, Glenn created a spark that ignited the dry grass around the wasp nest. A new investigation suggests that this spark is what quickly grew out of hand, into a fire that spread across the dry landscape, quickly growing to span multiple counties and lasting more than a month before firefighters eventually managed to extinguish it.

The fire is already going down in California wildfires history as the “Ranch Fire.” It burned alongside a nearby fire called the River Fire, and jointly they were referred to as the Mendocino Complex Fire, burning a collective 460,000 acres of land.

The Ranch Fire Devastation

According to The New York Times, the Ranch Fire covered multiple counties, destroyed more than 150 homes, burned 410,203 acres of wild lands, and costs tens of millions of dollars to fight. Thousands of firefighters worked together for more than a month before it was finally extinguished.

While this was the biggest fire in California wildfires history, it was not even close to the deadliest. One firefighter was killed when he was struck by a falling tree—a tragic loss, but a much lower death toll than another recent California fire in Paradise, which killed more than 80 people.

It Just Takes One Spark

The humble beginnings of this gigantic fire drive home how volatile conditions are in California, said Ken Pimlott, who oversaw the Ranch Fire as chief of Cal Fire (or the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection).

“We have to have a healthy understanding that this grass that I’m standing in won’t take much—won’t take anything to start,” he told The New York Times. Indeed, in the case of the Ranch Fire, it may have been just one spark—from fireworks, campfires, and more.

In other cases, wildfires have been found to be associated with power companies, such as the Northern California utility giant Pacific Gas and Electric; this includes the Camp Fire and a string of others.

PG&E has filed for bankruptcy because of wildfire liabilities.

Filing a California Fires Lawsuit

As we move into the summer months and temperatures in California are climbing, concerns are rising about the potential for upcoming wildfires, and preparations underway.

If you have been affected by the Ranch Fire or other recent fires in California wildfires history, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by wildfire injuries and destruction, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden caused by this damage. As it stands, all fires cost millions in insurance, and billions in damages.

Filing a lawsuit can be overwhelming and intimidating, especially in the wake of devastation caused by a wildfire or other tragedy. That’s why Top Class Actions has taken some off the guesswork out of the equation by connecting you with an experienced attorney. An attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate complex litigation, and maximize your compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.