Creek Fire: Do You Need a Lawyer for Fire Damage in Fresno County?

Those who have been affected by the Creek Fire or other California wildfire can learn more about the fire’s status and if hiring a lawyer for a California wildfire lawsuit is a good idea.

The Creek Fire

A recent series of storms helped contain the Creek Fire that has been burning since Sept. 4, 2020, according to The Sacramento Bee. According to CalFire, the blaze was 95% contained and had burned 937,894 acres as of Nov. 23, 2020. Officials estimate the Creek Fire will be contained by Nov. 30, 2020, but a public information officer told Sac Bee reporters that dry weather may stall containment efforts.

“One storm is good, but multiple storms is better,” the representative told reporters. “So now that we’ve had another storm, we’re going to check that containment and continue to bring it up.” The representative reportedly went on to say that if the weather doesn’t cooperate, the fire could burn through January.

Fresno County Fire

The Creek Fire forced the closure of numerous roads and the Sierra National Forest will reportedly remain closed until Nov. 24, 2020. Residents of Ershim Meadow, Mount Evans, Ward Lake, Florence Lake, Muir Trail Ranch, Burnt Corral Meadow, Mount Shinn, Mount Ward, Reddy’s Hole, Sallie Keyes Lakes, Rose Lake, Marie Lake, and Italy Lake were evacuated from the area on Oct 1, 2020. According to the county website, 856 structures were destroyed as of Oct. 19, 2020.

The county warns that debris from homes the Creek Fire destroyed is toxic and homeowners should not try to clean up this material on their own. Instead, officials recommend homeowners apply for free debris removal assistance though the federal government.

Once debris is cleared, the county says that homeowners can begin rebuilding.

“The County is committed to helping property owners impacted by the Creek Fire to rebuild as fast as possible,” states the county’s website.

Fire Damage in California

The Creek Fires and numerous other blazes have damaged homes and other property in California. This wildfire season and the wildfire seasons in the past several years have been unprecedented. In total, over 6,000 structures have been destroyed, as a result of wildfires in California this year.

In addition to homes, fires damage cars, utility buildings, commercial property, and landscaping. According to the New York Times, the cost of wildfires in California will likely exceed $20 billion this year.

Californians are likely to face fire damage in the future, say experts. Recovery can take years simply due to the sheer number of claims that result from a blaze like the Creek Fire. In addition, the Insurance Business of America says that communities hit by fire are likely to be hit again within a few years.

Homeowners who need to make an homeowners insurance claim for wildfire damage need to assess the damage and contact their insurance provider as soon as possible, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Hiring a Lawyer for Fire Damage

Property owners rely on homeowners insurance to cover the devastating costs of wildfire damage. However, homeowners face obstacles when it comes to filing a claim successfully. As pointed out by Insurance Journal, many homeowners may be making claims at the same time, making it difficult for the insurance company to handle them all at once.

Additionally, some homeowners report that insurance companies deny their claims or under pay them. An attorney can help homeowners understand their insurance policy and help them get a fair payment from the insurance company.

Underpayment of insurance claims can be particularly tricky. Homeowners may not totally understand their policies and, after being displaced by a wildfire, may welcome any payment, even if it is smaller than they expect; however, underpaying claims is a big money maker for insurance companies and it is important to fight back against this practice, say experts.

Homeowners Insurance for Fires in Jeopardy

In addition, more California homeowners are getting their insurance yanked out from under them, according to recent reports. ABC 7 recently reported that as many as 167,000 homeowners were faced with the possibility of no insurance after their insurance provider informed them they would not renew their policies for next year.

In response, the state has set up an insurance program for homeowners who cannot find another option, reports ABC 7. The FAIR program provides coverage; however, the policies are reportedly quite steep.