Due to the rampant destruction from wildfires last season, cities around California are getting attention for their risk profile. The dangers of California fires include loss of property and life. Many people who have survived previous California fires have substantial property damage. The spread of the wildfires can happen so quickly and at such a rate of devastation that other issues can also occur, such as the mudslides associated with one wildfire last year.

Some electric companies have been accused of improper maintenance that heightens the risk of potential danger from California wildfire spread. PG&E, for example, has been the subject of lawsuits and is now paying money to governments and insurance and victim funds for the significant damage associated with several wildfires due to downed power lines.

A new projection in Sacramento shows that over 68,000 homes are at a high risk of being damaged in wildfires. The study shows that it would cost up to $30 billion to rebuild the homes that are classified as the most vulnerable to wildfire damage.

Sacramento is considered fourth in terms of areas of risk for wildfire devastation, according to the projections put together by a real estate analytics team. The wildfire risk report did look further than California, but all of the areas that made the top of the list were located in the Golden State.

The risk level included an analysis of potential rebuild costs if a wildfire did sweep through the region. Areas with major property development near wildfire fuels could lead to spreads that would be nearly impossible to stop if a fire sparked.

Causes of Wildfire

Research from the U.S. Department of Interior shows that up to 90 percent of wildfires across the U.S. are started by people. Debris burning, unattended campfires, intentional acts (arson), and negligently discarded cigarettes make up most of unintentional wildfires.

Total losses from wildfires have added up to more than $5 billion in the last decade alone.

California has dealt with significant damage in the past several years, prompting more studies and swift responses when it is believed that human action caused the initial blaze. At the end of 2017, one of the most recent serious wildfires affected Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The Thomas Fire burned over 281,000 acres before authorities got control of it in January of 2018. By the time the fire had been stopped, more than 1,000 structures were destroyed.

Investigators later determine that power lines maintained by Southern California Edison caused the first spark in that fire. Two power lines allegedly struck one another on December 4, 2017, due to high winds.

The Thomas Fire led to substantial insurance claims and was behind a second incident, the Montecito mudslides.

If your property was damaged because of an electrical company’s improper maintenance of power lines or other structures in California fires, you’re not alone. Many California consumers could be eligible for recovery of losses and compensation by filing a lawsuit against the company responsible. Some claims may have deadlines. If this describes your case, speak with Top Class Actions about how to find an attorney to help with your claim.

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