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.
When we examined the largest wildfires in history, we noticed that many of the biggest fires in the state have occurred in the last decade. Some of these wildfires are due to lightning strikes in remote areas, but others are caused by utility company negligence. Two major reasons why California has so many utility-caused fires are:
- Utility companies do not repair their equipment
- Utility companies fail to trim trees and tree limbs that are too close to power lines
This question is complicated and deserves more explanation. The team at Danko Meredith would like to explore all of these topics in more detail. If you’ve been affected by a California wildfire and want to discuss legal action, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also reach our law office in Redwood City by phone at (650) 453-3600. Consultations are free.
California’s Extended Wildfire Season Leads to Greater Fire Risk
California’s wildfire season is long. In Northern California, the fire season starts around early summer and lasts through the fall; in Southern California, the fire season starts in the mid-to-late spring and lasts through the fall.
Throughout the state, the most dangerous times for wildfires are usually July and August, while the most destructive wildfires tend to happen in September and October.
Yet many factors have caused wildfire dangers to persist almost all year long. Think of when the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires started. That was at the beginning of January. Why is that? Let’s look at factors that have changed California’s wildfire season.
Wet and Dry Weather Patterns Create Ample Fuel Sources
California experiences extreme weather each year that helps vegetation flourish and then dries that vegetation out.
- Atmospheric Rivers and Heavy Rains: Atmospheric rivers are concentrated bands of moisture that bring heavy rainfall. These heavy rains help plantlife thrive, though they can also cause serious flooding in some parts of the state.
- Drought Conditions and Low Humidity: Once the rainfall has ended, California tends to have long dry seasons and a persistent threat of drought. Plants and trees that grew because of heavy rains will dessicate.
This cycle of rain and dry weather leads to ample fuel that can be consumed in a major fire. There are many causes of wildfires in California, both natural and human-related.
Climate Change Has Made Weather Conditions More Extreme
Climate change has only exacerbated these extremes in weather. That means wetter rainy seasons and drier conditions most of the year. The atmospheric rivers, droughts, and wildfires are part of California’s new normal.
For perspective, the biggest wildfires in California history all occurred in the last decade.
Strong Regional Winds in California Can Fan and Spread Flames
Strong winds play a major role in how wildfires spread and grow. There are strong regional winds in the state that can fan flames, send embers hundreds of yards away to start new fires, and stoke underground hot spots to re-ignite if there is enough dry fuel nearby.
- The Santa Ana Winds in SoCal: The strong, dry Santa Ana winds blow inward from the Southwest out to the Southern California coastline. These winds can have gusts that exceed 70 mph.
- The Diablo Winds in NorCal: The Diablo winds originate in the Great Basin and travel down the Diablo Range, affecting much of the San Francisco Bay Area. These gusts have also been known to exceed 70 mph.
California Has Larger Wildfires That Are Difficult to Fight
We mentioned that some of the biggest wildfires in California history have taken place in the last decade. That’s one of the most alarming aspects of California having so many wildfires.
We’ve seen massive campaign fires here in California and up in Canada. These wildfires are huge, and they require a high level of coordination between multiple ground crews, aerial crews, and teams at the local, state, and federal levels. This complex coordination of efforts and use of resources is necessary to contain, control, and put out a massive wildfire.
Dry Thunderstorms and Lightning Strikes: A Common Cause of California Fires
As we think about huge wildfires in recent years, many of these fires are caused by dry thunderstorms and lightning strikes. Lighting is the primary cause of wildfires that are natural disasters.
Dry thunderstorms are storms that produce a lot of thunder and lightning but very little precipitation. These kinds of thunderstorms are typical in the desert or in places that are dry and arid.
In California, these kinds of thunderstorms could occur up in the mountains during the summer. A lightning strike or a few lightning strikes could ignite multiple fires that will require a coordinated effort to contain, control, and put out.
Negligence by California Utility Companies: Another Major Cause of Many Fires
Negligence by utility companies is another major cause of California’s wildfires over the years. This means that companies like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) failed to maintain their equipment or otherwise failed in their duty to prevent a possible wildfire.
We recently looked at utility wildfires caused by PG&E. The utility company is responsible for at least five notable wildfires in California since 2015. Looking back at the Trauner Fire from 1994, California Department of Forestry investigators determined that PG&E caused or contributed to several other major wildfires and hundreds of small wildfires prior to that year.
What Causes Utility Wildfires?
Our law firm has worked on multiple cases involving utility-caused wildfires. There are a few recurring causes of these kinds of fires.
- Failure to Repair or Maintain Equipment: Many utility companies fail to repair or maintain their equipment. They believe that it’s more cost-effective to let things break than to fix problems. We call this the “run to failure” mentality, and it’s just one example of these companies putting profits over people and public safety.
- Failure to Keep Trees and Tree Limbs Away from Strike Zones: Trees, tree limbs, and branches can cause sparks when they make contact with power lines or other equipment. Utility companies need to keep these strike zones clear to prevent potentially disastrous line strikes.
- Failure to Shut Power Off During Red Flag Situations: In dry or high-wind conditions, utility companies are allowed to shut off power to prevent line strikes and other hazards that could cause a wildfire. Sometimes, utility companies are not proactive, which can lead to a destructive blaze.
Examples of Utility-Caused Wildfires in California
There have been many California wildfires in the last two decades. Let’s look at some of the most notable utility fires in the state since 2015. This should give you an idea of how serious these fires are and how many lives and communities may be affected by the next major wildfire.
The Eaton Fire (2025)
The Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres, severely impacting the neighborhood of Altadena. The fire destroyed more than 9,000 structures and caused at least 19 deaths.
The Eaton Fire was likely caused by a zombie power line on a decommissioned transmission tower that got re-energized. That decommissioned tower had been reportedly disconnected from the power grid since 1971. Rather than dismantle it, SoCal Edison left the decades-old tower up just in case they needed it in the future.
The Dixie Fire (2021)
The Dixie Fire burned more than 963,000 acres across Butte County, Lassen County, Plumas County, Shasta County, and Tehama County. The fire destroyed over 1,300 structures and caused the death of a firefighter.
The Dixie Fire was caused by a tree that came into contact with a 12,000-volt PG&E power line. This led to sparks that ignited the dry brush that was nearby.
The Camp Fire (2018)
The Camp Fire burned more than 153,000 acres in Butte County, destroying over 18,000 structures and causing 85 deaths.
The Camp Fire was caused by a single worn metal hook attached to a PG&E transmission tower. The failure of that one hook caused a power line to make contact with the tower, creating an electric arc and molten steel that ignited the deadly blaze.
The Butte Fire (2015)
The Butte Fire burned more than 70,000 acres in Amador County and Calaveras County, destroying over 800 structures and causing two deaths.
The Butte Fire was caused by a tree that made contact with one of PG&E’s power lines. PG&E tried to blame the contractor that they hired to trim the tree back from the strike zone. However, our law firm proved that PG&E was at fault since they failed to train the contractor on how to clear limbs, branches, and trees from the area properly.
California Wildfires Can Cause Major Devastation to Communities
One of the reasons we need to take California wildfires and utility company negligence seriously is the growth of the wildland-urban interface (WUI). The WUI is when residential and business properties are built near forests or wildlands. This has become the reality in much of California to accommodate the housing needs of the population, especially as people get priced out of major caities.
When we think of places where wildfires usually start, it’s out in the wildlands and grasslands. Yet fires can spread from a nearby forest or hiking trail into a residential neighborhood quite quickly.
Think of the Eaton Fire and how the fire devastated Altadena. Or think of the Tubbs Fire in 2017, when an electric system failure in Calistoga led to a fire that spread to Santa Rosa.
Can I Sue a Utility Company for Damages in a Fire?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit for damage in a wildfire against PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E. Utility wildfire survivors can seek compensation for:
- Damage to/destruction of a home or business
- Loss of other belongings and personal property
- Burns and physical injuries due to the fire
- Smoke inhalation, respiratory illness, and other medical conditions
- Psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Lost wages and other income interruptions
- Loss of future earning potential due to illness, injury, or disability
- Cost of relocating during a fire and/or its aftermath
- The death of a loved one due to a wildfire
If you’ve lost your home, your business, or a member of your family in a wildfire caused by a utility company, you need to act quickly and speak with an attorney. The wildfire lawyer can let you know if you have a claim and help you seek compensation.
Why Choose Danko Meredith for Your Wildfire Case
After a utility fire, you need a law firm with the resources to take on PG&E, SoCal Edison, and SDG&E. You need trial attorneys who are willing to take your case to court instead of accepting a lowball settlement.
Danko Meredith is on your side. Our trial lawyers have a record of taking on powerful interests. In fact, we’ve taken on utilities before, and we’ve won. These utility companies know who we are, and they know we’re going to fight for you.
We Have a Record of Taking on Utility Companies
Danko Meredith has taken on PG&E and other utility companies for many years. We’ve represented clients against PG&E following the Dixie Fire, the Camp Fire, and the Butte Fire. We’ve also secured a settlement from PG&E for survivors of the 2010 gas explosion in San Bruno.
In addition, we’re helping Eaton Fire survivors in claims against Southern California Edison, and survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires in Lahaina in claims against Hawaiian Electric.
We Consult Expert Witnesses to Create Strong Claims
When you look through our past verdicts and settlements, you’ll notice that we bring meticulous attention to detail to our cases. We have the resources to put into the investigation process and see your case through to trial if necessary.
We can also use our resources to speak with some of the leading expert witnesses in the country. They can help us build a much stronger case for you.
Clients Pay Us Nothing Unless We Win for Them
After a devastating wildfire, the last thing you need to see is another bill. We don’t want people with legitimate claims against PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E to walk away from compensation because they’re afraid that hiring a lawyer is too expensive.
At Danko Meredith, consultations are free. We can review your case and let you know if you have a claim. What’s more, our clients don’t pay any legal fees unless and until we win. If our attorneys can’t secure a settlement or win damages in court, you pay nothing.
Contact Our California Wildfire Attorneys for a Free Case Review
Wildfires are an unfortunate part of life for many communities in California. When utility companies cause or contribute to a wildfire, our law firm will help you hold them accountable. At Danko Meredith, we have the resources and the knowledge to take on utilities and help you move forward.
To set up a free consultation with our utility wildfire lawyers, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also call our Redwood City office at (650) 453-3600.