You are currently viewing What Caused The Northern California Fire?

Fire knows nothing of mercy.

-Proverb

What caused the 2017 Northern California fire?

Here’s what’s currently being reported:

  • People have reported cases of damaged infrastructure like wires down and broken poles according to The LA Times;
  • There have been reports of downed power lines and exploding transformers by The Mercury News;
  • Downed power lines were also cited as a possible cause by The New York Times;
  • Falling power lines and exploding transformers were being investigated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection according by KCRA;
  • The California Public Utilities Commission sent a letter to Pacific Gas and Electric requiring them to preserve “all evidence” in relation to the fire; consequently Pacific Gas and Electric’s stock plummeted per CNBC;
  • Downed power lines and other equipment failures were cited as potential causes by KOLO;
  • Blown transformers and downed power lines were reported by emergency radio traffic according to Fox News; and
  • Yesterday The Mercury News reported that Pacific Gas and Electric power lines were linked to the fire. And here’s a map of reports regarding electrical problems the night of the fire.

Pacific Gas and Electric has caused fires before. The 2015 Butte fire in Northern California burned for 2 weeks, killed 2 people, burned 900 structures including 550 homes, and caused $300 million dollars in losses. 4 months ago Pacific Gas and Electric was found liable for the damages. It was also fined $8.3 million by California regulators.

The state of California has a dedicated website for information related to the individual fires and their progress at CALFire.ca.gov

Here’s a quick video of the devastation caused by the Santa Rosa fires:

Here are some of Evan W. Walker blogs with useful insurance information:

How to Make a Fire Damage Insurance Claim

How Insurance Claims Work

Understand Your Homeowners Policy

What to do if Your Homeowners Claim was Denied

And here are additional blogs useful to people with property damage claims:

What is Negligence

What are the Statutes of Limitations

What is Inverse Condemnation

Value of Damaged Trees

What is the Made Whole Doctrine

Personal Property and Loss of Use

 

Have questions? Contact Me for a free consultation.

Evan Walker

Evan W. Walker is a La Jolla attorney who has practiced law since 2008. He has practiced law throughout California, Connecticut, and Louisiana.

Evan worked for and defended insurance companies during the first 7 years of his practice. Since 2015, he has represented people with personal injury and property damage claims and insurance disputes.

Evan’s practice is devoted to serious personal injury claims and catastrophic property damage claims. Areas of focus include security claims against bars and other businesses, government tort claims, fire and flood claims, and inverse condemnation. On behalf of clients, Evan has fought insurance firms, international companies, cities, bars, and casinos.

Evan regularly shares his expertise with other attorneys by teaching courses on insurance and inverse condemnation. He has taught several continuing legal education courses to Attorney Credits, a nationwide CLE company, and ProLawCLE, another nationwide CLE company. He also contributes to various podcasts and publications.

Associations:

  • Member, State Bar of California
  • Member, San Diego Bar Association
  • Member, Consumer Attorneys of California
  • Member, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
  • Member, La Jolla Bar Association
  • Member, La Jolla Village Merchants Association
  • Member, San Diego Chamber of Commerce