Wildfires are one of the most overlooked problems that may arise, but they can cause significant damage to entire cities, as well as the community living within them. They are devastating, often leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
However, an even bigger problem is when this type of situation is caused by someone else’s negligent and reckless actions. This occurs in a number of ways, but understanding how it happens and what it means for those who have lost property or loved ones is important.
How Negligence Causes Wildfires
One potential cause of wildfires involving negligence is the lack of maintenance or failure to comply with state law when it comes to power lines, communication lines, and more. These often have a high level of electricity flowing through the wires and potential problems can be dangerous.
It’s important for these pieces of equipment to be safe for its surroundings. When there is negligence is involved, this situation can be difficult to overcome, especially as these wildfires grow in size and cause significant damage to a community.
For situations like this when power lines are the problem, it can potentially be linked to recklessness on behalf of the company that owns and operates the power lines. This may make that company responsible for any and all damage that is caused by a wildfire started by their defects.
How Did This Happen In the Camp Fire?
Reports came in on the morning of November 8, 2018 regarding a problem with power lines in the Camp Creek Road area just 15 minutes before the fire ignited. After 2 weeks, there were over 150,000 acres burned, tens of thousands of structures destroyed, and nearly 100 lives lost.
This is a serious issue when companies are negligent and it causes hardship for all those affected. It’s easy for these individuals to lose hope when homes and businesses are lost, or when a loved one is lost as a result.
Our Sacramento attorneys at Kershaw Talley Barlow serve as a beacon of hope for those affected, especially after a fire hits so close to home. If negligence is involved, legal action may be possible.