Wildfires have become increasingly common in the United States, causing significant damage to property, wildlife, and natural resources. While some of these disasters are caused by natural factors like lightning strikes, many are the result of human activities. Careless accidents, aging infrastructure, and even intentional acts are among the leading causes of today’s wildfires. If you experience damages caused by a preventable catastrophe, contact an experienced wildfire claims attorney for prompt assistance.
Human-Caused Wildfires
Human activities account for approximately 85% of all wildfires in the United States. These preventable incidents often result from negligence, recklessness, or deliberate actions. When individuals or corporations fail to exercise proper care, they can be held legally responsible for the consequences their actions cause.
Unattended Campfires
Unattended or improperly extinguished campfires are some of the most common causes of wildfires. When you build a campfire in wilderness areas, the responsibility to ensure it is completely extinguished before leaving falls entirely on you. A campfire left smoldering can quickly reignite and spread, especially in dry conditions with high winds.
Discarded Cigarettes
A single cigarette butt tossed from a car window or dropped on a hiking trail can ignite surrounding grass, leaves, and other vegetation. The seemingly small ember at the end of a burning cigarette is more than hot enough to start a fire.
Unsanctioned Burning
Debris or agricultural burns that occur without proper permits can also lead to wildfires. The burning of trash, yard waste, or fallen tree branches can easily escape control when wind conditions change or when burns are left unmonitored.
Arson also accounts for a disturbing number of wildfires. This crime refers to the intentional and malicious setting of fires, often motivated by revenge, financial gain through insurance fraud, thrill-seeking behavior, or mental illness. People who commit arson can face felony charges, lengthy prison sentences, and liability for millions of dollars in damages.
Motor Vehicles
Cars can also lead to wildfires in several ways. Hot exhaust systems and catalytic converters can ignite dry grass when vehicles park or drive off-road. Chains from trailers can drag against the ground and create sparks that can start roadside fires. Even car accidents can cause fuel spills that ignite and spread to nearby vegetation.
Infrastructure Malfunction
Aging and poorly maintained utility infrastructure is responsible for some of the most destructive wildfires in recent U.S. history. These events include the 2018 Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, California, which led to 85 deaths and 150,000 of acreage burned.
Power lines that contact trees during high winds, transformer explosions, and faulty electrical equipment have all triggered catastrophic fires. Major utility companies have faced billions of dollars in settlements for their role in starting these disasters.
Fireworks
Both legal and illegal fireworks start thousands of fires each year, especially around holidays like the Fourth of July. Even in areas where consumer fireworks are legal, their use during dry conditions can easily spark wildfires. The hot debris that falls from exploding fireworks can ignite dry grass, brush, or nearby structures.
Non-Human Caused Wildfires
While human activities cause the majority of wildfires, natural causes can also lead to these disasters. For example, lightning strikes are capable of igniting fires instantly when they hit dry vegetation. Volcanic eruptions, though rare in the continental United States, can trigger fires through hot lava and ejected materials.
Climate change is also exacerbating the risk of fires. Hotter weather and longer periods of drought can turn forests and grasslands into tinderboxes. As a result, these areas are more susceptible to ignition and the rapid spread of wildfires.
Though these fires are not preventable in the same way as human-caused incidents, the response to them can still involve questions of liability. For example, if authorities fail to properly contain a lightning-sparked fire that later damages private property, questions of negligence may arise.
Your Legal Options After a Wildfire in the United States
If a wildfire has damaged your property or injured you or your loved ones, you deserve justice and fair compensation. In these situations, you may have several legal avenues available to you. Your options largely depend on who caused the fire and how it affected your life:
- Claims Against Individuals: You may be able to file a claim against a person whose carelessness started the fire. This could be someone who left a campfire burning or tossed a cigarette into dry brush.
- Claims Against Corporations: If a company’s equipment or actions caused the fire—like a utility company with poorly maintained power lines—you can pursue a lawsuit against that business.
- Insurance Claims: Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance should cover some wildfire damage, but many policies have limitations. You might consider pursuing an insurance claim first before exploring third-party lawsuits for the remainder of your damages.
- Class Action Lawsuits or Multi-District Litigation: When many people suffer losses from the same wildfire, joining a class action lawsuit or multi-district litigation might make sense. This approach pools resources and strengthens your case against large corporations or entities.
The right approach for your situation depends on your circumstances and the fire’s cause. Speaking with an attorney experienced in wildfire litigation will help you understand which path offers the best chance for fair compensation.
Challenges Associated with Filing a Wildfire Lawsuit
After a wildfire, pursuing compensation can be a complex process. Finding exactly what or who caused the fire requires thorough investigation, sometimes taking months as fire officials examine burn patterns, witness statements, and physical evidence.
Proving liability is also challenging. Did a utility company fail to maintain equipment properly? Did someone ignore fire restrictions? Connecting the at-fault party’s actions directly to your losses often requires expert testimony and substantial evidence.
This is why you need a lawyer on your side. A wildfire lawsuit attorney will have the time and resources to dedicate to your claim, allowing them to thoroughly investigate the cause, gather evidence, and build a compelling case while you focus on rebuilding your life.
Trust Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC to Fight for You\
Human activity is often the root cause of devastating wildfires, from careless campers to electric companies that neglect their infrastructure. If you have suffered losses due to a wildfire caused by another party’s recklessness, the attorneys at Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC can help you hold those responsible accountable. Contact our office at (800) 220-0984 to learn more about your legal rights and how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.