Also known as re-ignitions, holdover fires, and rekindled fires, a zombie fire is a fire that officials thought was fully extinguished, yet burning matter (firebrands) and hot spots remain. Under the right conditions, these hidden embers can be re-ignited, leading to another fire. In some cases, firebrands may last for days or even months without...
Over the years, our California wildfire attorneys have discussed the various ways utility companies cause major wildfires. We have a history of taking on Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) whenever they put profits over public safety. Yet one thing we haven’t explored in detail is how wildfires spread after they’ve...
As our attorneys work on Eaton Fire lawsuits with survivors, we’ve thought a lot about what people can do when the next fire happens. Many communities throughout Northern and Southern California have been forced to evacuate because of wildfires in recent years, and it’s helpful to know what to do ahead of time so you’re...
Generally speaking, wildfires tend to start in places with abundant vegetation, hot and dry conditions, and the presence of an ignition source (e.g., lightning, campfires, power lines). The wildfire can spread to nearby areas and even into residential communities. This question has been on our minds while meeting people in L.A. and discussing Eaton Fire...
Yes, insurance does provide coverage for losses in a wildfire to a certain extent. However, there are often limits to how much someone can receive. There are many cases when the insurance company’s payout falls well short of the actual cost of rebuilding, making repairs, and replacing personal belongings that were damaged or lost. This...
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....
According to CAL FIRE, there were 8,110 wildfires in the Golden State in 2024. These wildfires burned over 1 million acres and destroyed more than 2,400 structures statewide. Since wildfires are part of the new normal in California, our lawyers wanted to look at their natural and human-made causes, and what wildfire survivors can do...
Last week, Southern California Edison released a draft Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program for victims of the Eaton Fire. While it may appear to offer a path to recovery, a closer look reveals serious flaws that could limit your compensation and compromise your rights. At Danko Meredith, we believe you deserve to know what’s really at...