If you’ve lost your home, business, ability to earn a living, or a loved one in a wildfire, take these steps to start recovering compensation:
- Document the damage to your property and belongings
- File an insurance claim right away
- Keep track of any ongoing expenses from the fire
- Apply for state or federal disaster aid
- Explore government programs that offer assistance
- Speak with a lawyer about taking legal action
Let’s take a moment to explore each of these steps in more detail. The California wildfire damage lawyers here at Danko Meredith will also discuss how much compensation your wildfire claim could be worth, who can be held liable in a wildfire lawsuit, and whether you can sue a utility company for wildfire damage.
At Danko Meredith, consultations are free, and clients pay nothing unless we win. If you’ve been in a wildfire and need to speak with an attorney about your legal options, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also call us at (650) 453-3600.
Document the Fire Damage to Your Property
When returning to your property after a wildfire, take photos and video of all wildfire damage. This includes all damage to the exterior of your property, damage to the interior of your property, and damage to any belongings.
From these videos and photos, you’ll then create a detailed inventory of what was damaged or destroyed. If you have any receipts associated with the damaged items, find them and include them with this inventory.
Consider a Video Walkthrough Before Evacuation
When we previously discussed how to prepare for a wildfire, we mentioned that you should consider doing a video walkthrough of your property.
Even if you’re just quickly going through your home or business and taking a quick video inventory, this will capture evidence of your belongings prior to a wildfire. This video could mean thousands of additional dollars for your claim.
File an Insurance Claim as Soon as Possible
Insurance does cover losses from a wildfire. If you have homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, business insurance, or other insurance coverage, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and file a claim.
You’ll want to include the inventory of your damaged property, belongings, medical bills, and other expenses as part of your claim.
Keep Records of All Communication with Your Insurance Provider
Note all emails, calls, meetings, or other correspondence with the insurance provider. Include dates and times, the name of the agent, and other details. This will be important for your records as you continue to seek compensation.
Keep Track of Any Ongoing Expenses from the Fire
The expenses associated with a wildfire do not end when you’ve filed your claim. Be sure to keep a log of any additional costs incurred because you’ve been injured, displaced, or in any way affected by a wildfire. This may include:
- The cost of hotels, Airbnbs, or temporary lodgings
- Meals and other necessities while you were displaced from your home
- Invoices associated with repairs to your property or risk mitigation
- Receipts and bills associated with the cost of relocation after a wildfire
- Ongoing medical treatment associated with burn injuries or wildfire smoke inhalation
Even if you’re unsure if an expense is unrelated to a wildfire, keep the receipt or other record just in case.
Apply for State or Federal Wildfire Disaster Aid
If the wildfire you were in was declared a disaster, you could be eligible for federal assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a website designated for these kinds of needs.
To learn more, visit DisasterAssistance.gov. We also suggest visiting the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) at CalOES.ca.gov.
FEMA’s disaster relief is helpful for costs that won’t be covered by your insurance. For these needs, we also encourage you to reach out to state and local agencies for help. You can also reach out to your neighbors and any nearby mutual aid networks or organizations that can assist wildfire survivors.
Explore Government Programs That Offer Wildfire Assistance
After a major wildfire, you may be eligible for low-interest loans as well as tax relief and other forms of assistance. For example:
- The CalAssist Mortgage Fund Program can provide mortgage relief for families that have been affected by a disaster in the state
- The California Employment Development Department (EDD) offers CA Disaster Unemployment Assistance
- CalHOPE has free and confidential crisis counseling for people who’ve been affected by a wildfire or other disaster in the state
Your insurance will only cover so much, which is why we encourage you to look into all of these resources for help and recovery following a wildfire.
Speak with a Wildfire Attorney About Taking Legal Action
You should reach out to a wildfire lawyer about what happened to you and your potential legal options. An attorney can be helpful because you may be able to sue a liable party for damages in a wildfire. A lawyer can also assist when disputes with your insurance company arise.
If you’re ready to speak with a wildfire lawyer about what happened or have questions about what to do after a wildfire, contact Danko Meredith today. We can provide answers and insight during a free consultation.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive After a Wildfire?
This depends on the extent of your losses and the lasting effect of the fire on your life. There is no average amount someone gets from a wildfire claim since each person’s circumstances are so different.
When you discuss your case with the team at Danko Meredith, we will review all of your documentation of the wildfire and help you understand how much your case could be worth. We can also determine if a party can be held liable for the wildfire and discuss legal action.
Potential Damages in a Wildfire Claim
Typical damages in a wildfire lawsuit include:
- Property damage to a home or business
- Loss of or damage to belongings in the fire
- Moving costs and relocation due to severe wildfire damage
- Physical injuries or medical problems caused by the fire
- Psychological trauma and emotional distress from the fire
- Lost wages and income due to displacement or relocation
- Loss of future earning potential due to severe injuries
- Loss of a loved one due to fatal injuries from a wildfire
Who Can Be Held Legally Liable for Causing a Wildfire?
When authorities investigate the causes of a wildfire, they may find that an individual or a company was responsible for what happened.
For example, an individual may have intentionally started a fire. This was the case with the initial blaze that sparked the 2025 Palisades Fire. Or perhaps a company’s machinery or equipment sparked a blaze. That was likely the case in the 2022 Mill Fire.
Utility-Caused Wildfires Are Common in California
In California, multiple wildfires have been caused by negligent actions by utility companies. In fact, some of the largest and most devastating fires in California have been caused by utility companies.
A utility-caused wildfire is a fire that was the result of negligence by companies like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Utility company negligence is a major reason why there are so many wildfires in California.
We recently looked at multiple wildfires caused by PG&E over the years. The dangers of these kinds of fires have only gotten worse due to wet-and-dry weather patterns that have become much more extreme due to climate change.
Why Do Utility-Caused Wildfires Happen?
There are three common reasons why utility-caused wildfires occur:
- Failure or Refusal to Maintain Equipment: Utility companies may not make necessary repairs to their transmission towers. Why’s that? Well, they may think it’s more cost-effective to let this equipment break down rather than maintain it. Our law firm calls this the “run to failure” mentality. This focus on profits puts countless Californians in danger.
- Failure to Keep Trees and Tree Limbs Away from Power Lines: Utility companies need to keep trees and tree limbs away from their power lines. If there’s a branch in these strike zones, all it takes is heavy wind or accidental contact with a power line to cause sparks that lead to a massive wildfire.
- Failure to Shut Off Power During Red Flag Situations: Utility companies are allowed to shut off power when there are strong winds or other dangerous conditions that could result in a wildfire. When utility companies act slowly or simply fail to take this precautionary measure, it can lead to a major disaster.
Notable California Utility Fires in Recent Years
To give you a sense of why utility-caused wildfires are such an issue, let’s look at just some major California wildfires from the last 11 years that were the result of utility company negligence.
The Eaton Fire (2025)
The Eaton Fire claimed at least 19 lives and burned more than 14,000 acres, devastating the community of Altadena. More than 9,000 structures were destroyed.
In December 2025, the CEO of Edison International (parent company of SCE) admitted to KTLA 5 News that SCE equipment likely caused the Eaton Fire. The fire was likely caused by a decades-old decommissioned power line that was re-energized by a nearby live power line, causing sparks that ignited the dry brush below.
The Dixie Fire (2021)
The Dixie Fire claimed the life of a firefighter and destroyed over 1,300 structures across Butte County, Lassen County, Plumas County, Shasta County, and Tehama County.
Investigations found that the Dixie Fire was caused by a tree that made contact with a 12,000-volt PG&E power line.
The Camp Fire (2018)
The deadliest fire in California history, the Camp Fire claimed at least 85 lives. The wildfire burned over 153,000 acres, destroying more than 18,800 structures, and devastating the town of Paradise and nearby communities.
Investigators found that this fire was caused by the failure of a single word-down metal hook on a PG&E transmission tower. When the hook snapped, a power line made contact with the tower, creating an electric arc and molten metal.
The Butte Fire (2015)
The Butte Fire claimed at least two lives and destroyed more than 800 structures. More than 70,800 acres burned in Amador County and Calaveras County.
The Butte Fire was caused by a tree that made contact with a PG&E power line. PG&E claimed that this was the fault of an independent tree-trimming contractor they hired. Our lawyers proved that PG&E failed to train the contractor properly and that the utility was the actual party responsible.
Why You Should Not Immediately Accept a Utility Company’s Compensation Plan
Following a wildfire, utility companies may set up a compensation program for fire survivors and their families. These seem like a good option for getting compensation, but they’re often a way for the utility to pay people much less than their claim is really worth.
Our attorneys have previously discussed problems with SoCal Edison’s Eaton Fire compensation plan. Accepting compensation could prevent you from negotiating a fairer amount.
Before accepting any offers, it’s best to contact a law firm with a record of taking on utility companies after major wildfires.
Why Choose Danko Meredith After a Utility-Caused Wildfire
For many years, Danko Meredith has fought for homeowners, renters, and business owners whose lives have been changed by utility-caused wildfires. Our team of lawyers has the resources and the ability to take on PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E and ensure they are held accountable.
We Have a History of Representing People Against Utility Companies
Danko Meredith has a reputation for taking on utility companies for wildfire survivors and family members. In addition to our work on the Eaton Fire, the Camp Fire, and other wildfires in California, we’ve also represented families following the 2010 PG&E gas explosion in San Bruno. We’ve also helped families in Hawaii who’ve been affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires in Lahaina.
We are proud to take on utility companies and help working people recover from a disaster with hope and dignity.
We Have the Resources and Knowledge to Handle Complicated Cases
We encourage you to look through our past verdicts and settlements. We’ve achieved strong results for clients in complicated cases, and much of that has to do with our attention to detail and our resources.
The team at Danko Meredith carefully investigates all aspects of a case, and we have the resources to see a case through to trial. We also consult some of the leading expert witnesses in the country to help build strong cases and offer their testimony.
Clients Pay Us Nothing Unless We Win for Them
If you’ve lost your home or your business in a wildfire, you don’t need another bill right now. Danko Meredith offers free consultations and representation on a contingency fee basis. This means clients pay us nothing unless we can secure a settlement or win damages in court.
Our lawyers remove the financial hurdles to getting strong legal representation against utility companies. We can level the playing field against corporations and other powerful interests and make sure your voice is heard.
Get a Free Case Review with Our Utility Wildfire Lawyers
If you’ve been through a wildfire caused by a utility company, the attorneys at Danko Meredith are here to help. We can help you hold companies like PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E accountable. To request a free consultation with our wildfire lawyers, contact our Bay Area law office today. You can also reach our Redwood City law firm by phone at (650) 453-3600.