Blog

The first public reports from Santa Rosa city fire investigators have been released and the evidence points to PG&E equipment. The two fires in question began on October 8th and October 9th, 2017. The fires destroyed several buildings including multiple homes, and the Santa Rosa Fire Department determined the cause was arcing PG&E power lines setting off sparks into nearby vegetation. Wind speed played a factor in the equipment starting wildfires.

The California State Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communication held a Wildfire Safety Hearing on January 26th 2018. The hearing focused on the 1.2 million acres and thousands of buildings damaged in the 2017 California wildfires. The Thomas fire of Southern California was the largest in acres at 280,000, but in Northern California the Tubbs fire was California’s most destructive with 5,600 structures burned. The Tubbs, Redwood Valley, Atlas and Cascade fires combined to claim 41 lives.

Insurance companies have responded to a formal notice issued by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones requesting they remove itemization requirements for those that lost their home. The notice requested insurance companies pay the full amount of the personal property coverage, without making those who lost everything itemize and submit documents on every possession. Insurers covering 97% of those who lost their home have agreed to the rule.

Vape and e-cig devices powered by 18650 and other Li-on batteries are growing as a market in the United States. If you’ve read the news you’ve also seen stories about vape battery explosions and injuries, and lawsuits against manufacturers and sellers of e-cig devices due to the serious injuries.

The U.S. Fire Administration, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has issued a new report titled “Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions in the United States 2009-2016”.

The Honorable Curits E.A. Karnow, Superior Court Judge for the County of San Francisco, ordered that the North Bay wildfire cases be coordinated together. This will include cases filed by Levin Simes on behalf of victims affected by the Northern California wildfires.

According to data collected by The Washington Post, California experienced 9,000 wildfires and millions of burned acres in 2017. The fires destroyed nearly 11,000 structures and killed 46 people. The Thomas Fire in Southern California – now considered the largest fire in the state’s history – has still not been fully contained.

State legislators and investigators are reviewing evidence regarding wildfires in Northern California, according to a new article by the San Francisco Chronicle. In particular they are reviewing evidence surrounding equipment including PG&E reclosers, equipment used to send pulses of electricity through power lines that are malfunctioning.

Asbestos, mined and later abandoned in Fresno County and Coalinga California can and does cause mesothelioma. As sites become contaminated with asbestos and other dangerous products, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is eventually tasked with planning cleanup. When a site is heavily contaminated, the EPA may be declared it a “Superfund” site.

Through the generous contributions of individuals and organizations, United Way of the Wine Country (UWWC) has built an emergency relief fund for those in Sonoma County affected by the Northern California wildfires. You may be eligible for a cash grant if you.