Sonoma County Fire: Who Is Liable for Fire Damage? 

This year, the West Coast of the United States has been ravaged by hundreds of destructive wildfires. Washington, Oregon, and California have all faced record damage from wildfires, with tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate, thick smoke driving the air quality to unprecedented hazard levels, and wildfires eating up hundreds of thousands of acres and thousands of homes.

With October (the peak of California’s fire season) just beginning, 2020 has already seen double the land burned compared with the entirety of 2019: about 4 million acres.

Additional fires continue to spring up, especially in California. The Glass Fire started on Sunday, Sept. 27 in the wine country of Napa and Sonoma counties, quickly destroying dozens of buildings. Fueled by wind, the Sonoma County fire quickly ate up 48,440 acres. By late Wednesday morning, the fire had only reached 2% containment.

October 1 Sonoma County Fire Update

As of Thursday, October 1, the Glass Fire had reached 56,781 acres, with containment only increased to about 5%, according to Cal Fire. The fire now affects Northeast Sonoma County, Far Eastern Santa Rosa, and Kenwood.

Gov. Gavin Newsom toured damage at an elementary school from the fire in Napa County firsthand on Thursday. Newsom promised to seek long-term solutions for California’s ongoing and ever-worsening wildfire problem.

“I’ve got four young kids in elementary school. I can’t imagine for the kids, the families seeing these images, what’s going through your mind,” Newsom said. “We’re in it for the long haul. We’re not just here for a moment. We have your backs and we’re very sorry you’re going through all this.”

So far, the fire has destroyed at least 143 homes, with another 46 or more damaged. The flames threaten more than 26,000 more buildings.

Extreme Conditions Bolster Blaze

A Red Flag Warning was issued by the National Weather Service for the Glass Fire from Thursday, Oct. 1, at 1:00 PM through Saturday, Oct. 3, and 6:00 AM due to north to northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph and gusts reaching 25–30 mph. These winds, combined with dry humidity and high temperatures, create critical fire weather, and residents should avoid creating any outdoor sparks or fires.

“We are talking about 29 hours of critical fire conditions,” said ABC7 News meteorologist Mike Nicco. “We are going to have gusty winds blowing from northwest to southeast, so if you are south of the Dolan or Glass fires—we could have an issue with ember relocation and starting new fires,” warned Nicco.

Other areas of wine country have previously been hit by major wildfires, but this area never has, said Cal Fire Fire Behavior Analyst Brian Newman. “The area where the fire is burning has no fire history over the last 70 years,” said Newman. “It’s led to an excessive build-up of fuel—heavy, dense brush.”

While the Glass Fire is not one of the largest active wildfires in California—the August Complex fire has burned 955,513 acres—it is very new, with a very low containment level. And regardless of size, the Napa Sonoma County fire poses a real threat to people’s homes and businesses.

Sonoma County Fire Evacuations

By Thursday, just four days after the Sonoma County fire began, at least 68,000 people had been evacuated in the Napa and Sonoma county areas, with the fire continuing to grow.

Some of the evacuation orders in Santa Rosa were downgraded on Tuesday to warnings instead of mandatory evacuation, so about 22,600 residents were allowed to return home if they wished. However, another 13,000 or so Santa Rosa residents are still under evacuation orders, along with the entire town of Calistoga in the Napa Valley.

New rounds of evacuation orders are being added as the fire grows.

Who Is Liable for Fire Damage from the Sonoma County Fire?

It is currently unclear who might be liable for fire damage caused by the Sonoma County fire, as the cause of the Sonoma County fire has not yet been determined. Cal Fire continues to investigate what may have caused the blaze that started in wine country, reportedly focusing on a remote vineyard in Napa Valley as a possible origin point. Neighbors told KTVU that they saw flames erupt from this area when the fire first ignited.

Cal Fire’s investigation was reportedly focused on an area near an electric fence, as well as other equipment. Cal Fire noted that it cannot comment on the status of the investigation.

“I know our investigators are out there currently trying to track down and eliminate all the things that didn’t start it and figure out what it was that did,” said Robert Foxworthy, a spokesperson for Cal Fire.

Neighbors say that the property belongs to Cakebread Cellars, a winery in the heart of Napa Valley on Highway 29.

A spokesperson for Cakebread Cellars said in a statement that the company is “cooperating and providing information to Cal Fire,” according to KTVU.

The fire has been fueled by low humidity and higher than average temperatures, as well as increased wind.

Wildfires can be started naturally, such as via lightning strikes, but the vast majority of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans. Human-caused fires often involve unattended campfires, burning debris, equipment use and equipment malfunctions, discarded cigarettes, and intentional arson.

Sonoma County fire victims may be able to file a lawsuit or otherwise seek legal help as they deal with insurance.

If you are one of the Sonoma County fire victims affected in the Glass Fire, or if you have been affected by one of the other 2020 California wildfires, you may qualify for compensation beyond what your insurance offers, or you may even be able to file a lawsuit.

Join a Free California Wildfire Property Damage Lawsuit Investigation

If you experienced property damage or tree damage during the California wildfire 2020 season, your insurance company should cover your losses.

If you believe your insurer underpaid you for your losses, or if you were underinsured, it is not too late to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

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