California has so many wildfires partly because the fire season has gotten longer. This is due to extreme wet and dry weather, which has been worsened by climate change. When wildfires start, they can be fueled by strong regional winds, like the Diablo winds in Northern California and the Santa Ana winds in Southern California....
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is responsible for several notable California wildfires, including: The Dixie Fire (2021) The Zogg Fire (2020) The Kincade Fire (2019) The Camp Fire (2018) The Butte Fire (2015) The Trauner Fire (1994) Many of these fires were caused by trees too close to active power lines or equipment in disrepair....
Yes, you can sue a liable party for damages in a wildfire. This includes economic damages such as destruction of your home or business in a fire, medical bills due to burns or smoke inhalation, and loss of income from the fire. You can also seek compensation for non-economic damages related to pain and suffering,...
To protect yourself from wildfire smoke, you’ll need N95 face masks, an air cleaner/purifier, air filters for your vents, and eye protection in case you go outside. It’s best to close windows and remain indoors when the air is saturated with smoke due to how bad the air quality can get from local wildfires. Wildfire...
Northern California’s wildfire season typically starts in June and runs through October or November. In Southern California, it usually starts in April or May and runs through October. However, climate change has caused year-round wildfire risks throughout California and other western states. California’s year-round wildfire risks mean that local governments and utility companies need to...
Last week, we looked at what caused the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. In just one month, more than 57,500 acres burned in Southern California. The Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire rank among the most destructive wildfires in California history. While the L.A. fires were extremely destructive, they were not the largest on record. Let’s...
The 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires started just over a year ago. We now know that the firestorm began on January 1, 2025, and the initial eight-acre brushfire was an act of arson. Fire crews believed that they had extinguished the brushfire, but hotspots remained. On January 7, 2025, the Santa Ana winds and dry...
After a wildfire, it’s important that you follow instructions from fire officials. Once they give you the all clear to return home, do so cautiously and during daylight hours. Wearing eye protection, an N95 mask or respirator, and long sleeves, inspect your property for any structural damage or lingering hotspots from the fire. But this...