While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies wildfires as natural disasters, not all wildfires are the result of natural events. Forest fires and brush fires can be caused by natural events as well as human activities. There’s also growing research about how human activities can exacerbate conditions that make wildfires more likely and much deadlier.
The attorneys at Danko Meredith have helped many homeowners and business owners with California wildfire lawsuits. As major wildfires have become part of the new normal, we wanted to consider the natural and human causes of these fires and when it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer about your legal options.
If your home or your business was impacted by a wildfire caused by a utility company like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) or Southern California Edison (SCE), we’re here to help. To set up a free consultation with our experienced California wildfire lawyers, contact our Bay Area trial attorneys. You can also give us a call at (650) 453-3600.
Natural Events That Cause Wildfires
Lightning strikes are the primary natural cause of wildfires. When lightning hits a tree or a mountaintop, it can ignite a fire or cause sparks that ignite the dry brush or vegetation below.
These kinds of forest fires are particularly common during dry thunderstorms. A dry thunderstorm means that the storm produces thunder and lightning, but any accompanying precipitation evaporates before it can reach the ground. Dry thunderstorms and dry lightning are common in deserts or in places that are dry or arid.
Examples of Lighting-Caused Wildfires
The 2023 Canadian wildfires are a notable example of lightning-caused fires. More than 6,500 fires burned in all 13 provinces and territories from March through November. An estimated 45.7 million acres burned, displacing between 185,000-232,000 people and causing eight fatalities. The Canadian Climate Institute cited a study that estimated 93% of the area burned in these wildfires was caused by lightning strikes.
Here in California, the lightning fires of August 2020 are worth noting. Over 2.5 million acres were affected by 650 separate fires. This included three massive separate wildfires all caused by lightning strikes: the SCU Lightning Complex fires in the Diablo Range, the August Complex fires in the Coast Ranges, and the LNU Lightning Complex fires in Wine Country. Those three lightning complex fires on their own burned 846,000 acres and destroyed over 2,700 homes and businesses.
Other Natural Events That Cause Wildfires
In addition to dry thunderstorms and lightning strikes, other natural events that cause wildfires include:
- Spontaneous Ignition: This may sound like the stuff of fiction, but the National Park Service (NPS) has noted multiple scenarios in which physical, chemical, or biological processes can cause combustible materials to catch fire. The hazards are of concern when there are large leaf piles, peat, mulch, compost, and bales of hay.
- Volcanic Activity: According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), California has seven volcanoes that will likely erupt again in the future. An eruption, particularly of a volcano located in Northern California, could spark a wildfire.
- Sparks from Falling Rocks: While a rare cause of wildfires, falling rocks could create sparks on impact, which have a chance of sparking a fire if there is sufficient dry vegetation in the area.
Earthquake-Related Fires
Many people who live in California wonder when the next big one will hit. These natural disasters can devastate cities, and while earthquakes may not cause wildfires per se, they can cause deadly fires in densely populated areas.
Fires after an earthquake are often due to damaged electrical lines and gas lines, unsecured water heaters falling during the quake, or sparks from exposed wires and other structural damage. It can be difficult for firefighters to access and contain these kinds of fires, depending on how badly the quake damaged the local infrastructure.
For those who remember the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles County or the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in the Bay Area, you know just how bad these kinds of fires can get. If the fires are not contained and wind carries embers to nearby forested areas, it could lead to a major wildfire.
Natural Phenomenon That Contributes to Wildfires
Lightning isn’t the only factor to consider with wildfires. There are certain natural conditions that make wildfires more likely. As you might have seen on the news, many of these natural phenomena have turned parts of California into a tinderbox.
California’s Rain and Wildfire Seasons
Even though California is often in a drought, the state is subject to dangerous extremes in its weather. Many cities and communities get heavy rainfall for a short amount of time, which is then followed by a prolonged dry season. As the dry season stretches on with little to no rain, any brush and vegetation becomes fuel for the next fire. This is prevalent throughout Southern California, the Bay Area, and Northern California.
Strong Regional Winds in California
The Santa Ana winds in Southern California and the Diablo winds in Northern California can make dry conditions even worse. If a small fire does start, these strong winds can pick up and toss embers hundreds of yards away, igniting other fires in the vicinity.
Remote Locations and Difficult Terrain
Many wildfires spread up into the hills and mountains, which are difficult for ground crews to safely access and contain. Dumping water and flame retardant from water bombers can only accomplish so much without a fire crew on the ground, which means some forest fires may rage longer due to their location.
The Ongoing Effects of Climate Change
Climate change is responsible for many extremes in weather, especially the longer fire season in the state. According to the California Air Resources Board, several of the biggest fires in California history have occurred since 2017. When not rebuilding, cities in Northern California and Southern California now have to brace for heat waves, heavy rain, and long dry spells as we all attempt to adapt to this dangerous new normal.
Many California Wildfires Are Caused by Human Activities
While lightning strikes are responsible for some major North American forest fires in recent years, many more wildfires are caused by human activities. The NPS estimates that 85% of wildland fires in the United States are due to people.
Things People Do That Can Spark a Wildfire
Some of the most common human activities that cause wildfires include:
- Leaving Campfires Unattended: Negligent or inexperienced campers could start fires that they are unable to maintain or fully extinguish. Sparks and embers from these campfires can ignite dry vegetation nearby. Campers need to be careful about the size of their fires and make sure the fire is fully doused and no longer burning.
- Partially Extinguished Fires: Sometimes a brush fire or other type of fire gets put out, but it is not fully extinguished. Wind can fan embers or push dry vegetation near a source of heat from the partially extinguished fire, starting a new fire in the process.
- Carelessly Discarding Lit Cigarettes: If a smoker throws a lit cigar or cigarette out of their car, onto the side of a trail, or into the middle of a field, it could spark a brush fire that can burn out of control.
- Setting Off Fireworks Near Dry Brush: Using fireworks near dry brush is a major wildfire hazard during New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July. Even if someone is using fireworks responsibly, all it takes is a stray spark and some dry brush to cause a fire.
- Vehicle and Mechanical Issues: Car accidents and mishaps involving equipment or machinery can cause fires. One example of this is the 2022 Mill Fire in Siskiyou County, which was caused by a machinery issue at the Roseburg Forest Products Mill.
- Arson: There have been a few California wildfires that were caused by criminal acts, most notably the Park Fire in 2024, which was caused by a man who pushed a burning car into a ravine. More than 429,000 burned.
It’s worth noting that the long dry season, regional winds, and climate change can increase the size and likelihood of a human-caused wildfire.
California Wildfires Caused by Utility Companies
Danko Meredith has worked on numerous wildfire lawsuits involving companies like PG&E, SCE, and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), so we wanted to highlight these kinds of fires.
Regardless of the EPA classification, utility wildfires are anything but natural disasters. These kinds of wildfires are caused by utility companies putting their profits over public safety.
Why Do Utility Fires Happen?
These are some of the most common reasons utility wildfires happen:
- The Utility Failed to Maintain Its Equipment: A utility company may delay necessary repairs and maintenance of its equipment because it’s more cost-effective to let it break rather than fix it. When this equipment fails, people’s lives and livelihoods are at stake. At Danko Meredith, we call this the “run-to-failure” mentality.
- The Utility Failed to Clear Hazards from Power Lines: Trees, tree limbs, and other kinds of vegetation should be cleared away from electrical towers and power lines. Unfortunately, utility companies can be negligent in keeping the area around their equipment clear of hazards.
- The Utility Failed to Shut Off Power Proactively: During strong winds and other dangerous conditions, utility companies are allowed to shut off power to avoid line strikes and possible fires. When a company fails to take this precautionary measure, it could mean the loss of countless homes and the devastation of entire neighborhoods.
When utility companies fail to protect California communities, it can result in lost homes, lost businesses, catastrophic injuries, and loss of life.
Examples of Utility-Caused Wildfires
There are many examples of utility-caused wildfires in California and elsewhere. Here are just some of the utility fires our law firm has worked on or is currently working on:
- The Eaton Fire (2025): The cause of the Eaton Fire is currently being investigated, but faulty SCE power lines likely ignited dry vegetation in the foothills near Altadena. The fire killed at least 19 people and damaged or destroyed more than 9,400 structures.
- The Lahaina Fire (2023): The Lahaina Fire in Maui was caused by downed Hawaiian Electric power lines that were suddenly reenergized. The fire killed 102 people and damaged or destroyed more than 2,200 homes, apartments, and other structures.
- The Dixie Fire (2021): The Dixie Fire was caused by a fir tree leaning against a 12-kilovolt PG&E power distribution line. The massive wildfire burned more than 960,000 acres, affecting numerous communities throughout the Sierra Nevada.
- The Camp Fire (2018): The Camp Fire was caused by the failure of a poorly maintained PG&E transmission line. This massive fire destroyed 15,000 homes and caused 84 fatalities, devastating the town of Paradise, CA.
- The Butte Fire (2015): The Butte Fire was caused by a tree that was leaning against a PG&E power line. It burned 70,000 acres, destroying hundreds of homes throughout Amador and Calaveras counties.
Utility Wildfires Endanger Millions of Californians
We previously mentioned climate change and other environmental factors causing Californians to adapt and prepare for the next major wildfire. Utility companies similarly need to adapt and be more diligent when it comes to their lines, towers, and equipment.
Remember: when a company like PG&E or SCE makes a mistake, it’s your home or business that’s in danger, not theirs.
Why You Need to Speak with an Attorney After a Wildfire
In the aftermath of a wildfire, you may feel uncertain about what to do next, especially if you’ve lost a home, a business, or are seeking temporary shelter. Even when an official investigation is underway, it’s worth finding an attorney you can trust to find out what steps you can take next to seek compensation.
If a utility company like PG&E or SCE is responsible for the wildfire, your lawyer will be a major equalizer while seeking compensation. These utility companies have large defense teams in place, and they use PR tactics to minimize payouts and play damage control (read our recent post about SCE’s Eaton Fire claims program for an example).
Our trial lawyers see these tactics for what they are, and we make sure to hold utility companies accountable for all of our clients. Your losses and your story matter, and the wildfire attorneys at Danko Meredith will help you obtain compensation that accurately reflects your experience.
Why You Should Hire Danko Meredith After a Wildfire
Danko Meredith is committed to helping people when corporations and utility companies put profits over public safety. Our Bay Area wildfire lawyers have over 120 years of combined legal experience. While utility company defense teams may have us outnumbered, we will never be out-lawyered.
A Success Rate Over 99%
Our law firm has a success rate that’s over 99%. This is thanks to our trial experience, our attention to detail, and the resources we can put into your case. Our law firm has access to some of the finest expert witnesses in the country. We can use their expertise to help build a compelling, airtight case centered around the evidence and your story.
A History of Fighting Utility Companies
We’ve listed the many utility fire cases we’ve worked on in the past or are currently working on. At Danko Meredith, we know how to take on companies like PG&E, SoCal Edison, and SDG&E, and we’re proud to be a leading law firm for utility wildfire cases in Northern California and Southern California. In addition to our work on utility-caused wildfires, we’ve also represented claimants after the 2010 PG&E pipeline explosion in San Bruno.
You Don’t Pay Us Unless We Win
You have so many financial concerns after a wildfire. The last thing you need is a legal bill and stress over attorney fees. At Danko Meredith, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means our clients only pay us if we win. If our lawyers don’t reach a fair settlement or don’t secure damages in court, you don’t have to pay.
We’re on your side because the people of California need qualified legal advocates with the resources and legal knowledge to take on utility companies and major corporate interests and make sure they get held accountable.
Request a Free Consultation with Our California Wildfire Lawyers
If you’ve been affected by a wildfire and need someone to discuss legal action, you can trust the team at Danko Meredith for help. Even if the cause of the wildfire is not yet known, you can have peace of mind by talking to legal professionals who care about what you’re going through.
To request a free case review with experienced California wildfire trial lawyers, contact our Bay Area law firm online. You can also reach our law office in Redwood City by calling (650) 453-3600.