Category Archives: Northern California Fires

CHICO, CA – Danko Meredith, Gibbs Law Group, and Corey, Luzaich, de Ghetaldi & Riddle, a coalition of law firms known as Northern California Fire Lawyers, today filed a lawsuit on behalf of several Camp Fire survivors who suffered injuries and lost their homes and businesses as a result of the region’s wildfires, which began on November 8, 2018.  The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that PG&E was negligent in failing to maintain its infrastructure and properly inspect and manage its power transmission lines, the failure of which ultimately caused the Camp Fire to ignite on Pulga Road near Paradise, California.

According to the Appeal-Democrat, on October 23, 2018, the Yuba County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize its attorneys to initiate litigation against PG&E as a result of the Cascade Fire in October 2017.  Earlier this month, Cal Fire determined that the Cascade Fire was caused by PG&E power lines.

PG&E and five other electric companies were ordered by the state Public Utilities Commission to prepare detailed wildfire mitigation plan.  According to a report by the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, the mandate calls for a twenty-point plan to be in place by the middle of 2019.

A recent NBC News report illustrates a number of long-term effects that residents affected by the 2017 wildfires are experiencing.  According to the report, just under a third of the 3,000 homes destroyed in Santa Rosa have been rebuilt, as many families have temporarily left Santa Rosa or have permanently relocated. 

The North Bay Fire Litigation is in the discovery phase. During this phase the parties formally investigate the evidence about what caused the fires, who should be held responsible, and why. Judge Karnow has decided that the first phase of the lawsuits will be devoted to determining PG&E’s liability rather than quantifying the harm plaintiffs have suffered.