Camp Fire Lawyers – Butte County (2018)

The wildfire attorneys at The Wagner Law Group are here to represent you if the 2018 Camp Fire has impacted your life. Call (833) 200-7111, fill out the form on this page, or contact us online for a free consultation.

On November 8, 2018, the Camp Fire ignited in Butte County and rapidly overran the communities of Paradise, Concow, Magalia, and surrounding areas. It burned approximately 153,336 acres, destroyed 18,804 structures (including the vast majority of homes in Paradise), and caused 85 fatalities—making it the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. Containment was achieved on November 25, 2018, but the devastation and displacement lasted far longer.

What Happened & Who May Be Responsible

Following a formal investigation, CAL FIRE determined the Camp Fire was ignited by PG&E electrical transmission equipment near Pulga/Camp Creek Road. In subsequent proceedings, PG&E entered pleas in Butte County Superior Court in 2020 related to deaths and the unlawful starting of a fire. Separate regulatory and civil actions also examined vegetation management, inspection practices, and operations during extreme wind conditions.

What this means for victims: Liability and recovery are highly fact-specific. An evidence-based approach—grounded in official reports, maintenance and vegetation records, expert cause-and-origin analysis, and complete damages documentation—is essential to hold all responsible parties accountable and to maximize compensation.

Immediate Steps After a Wildfire

• Safety first: Account for family members; follow official re-entry guidance. Conditions can remain hazardous for days or weeks.
• Preserve the scene: Do not disturb debris, wiring, or utilities before inspections. Early cleanup can jeopardize claims.
• Call your insurer and an attorney: Open your claim promptly. A wildfire lawyer can coordinate inspections, experts, and evidence preservation.
• Protect your health: Wear a proper mask on-site; use spray bottles to keep ash down; limit exposure to burned plastics, paint, and electronics.

Returning home checklist (high level): Check for smoldering embers (roofs, gutters, crawl spaces), unstable trees/poles, damaged utilities, and structural hazards. Photograph everything thoroughly before any work begins.

Why Hire a Camp Fire Attorney

• Insurance advocacy: We push for full benefits (dwelling, other structures, contents, debris removal, code upgrades, additional living expenses), challenge under-scoping, and correct low offers.
• Utility & third-party claims: We evaluate evidence tied to PG&E equipment, vegetation practices, and operational decisions; where supported, we pursue civil recovery beyond insurance.
• Full damages modeling: We capture all losses—property, contents, displacement, business interruption, health impacts, and wrongful death—to avoid leaving money on the table.
• Deadlines & compliance: We track statutes of limitation and any special notice/claims requirements to keep your rights intact.

What You Can Recover

• Real property: Repair/rebuild costs, code upgrades, trees/landscaping, fences, outbuildings, pools and hardscape.
• Personal property: Furniture, clothing, tools, electronics, appliances, heirlooms—documented with inventories and valuations.
• Additional Living Expenses (ALE): Temporary housing, meals, storage, relocation, mileage, pet boarding.
• Business & income losses: Business interruption, extra expense, lost inventory/equipment, agricultural impacts.
• Injury & health impacts: Burns, orthopedic injuries, smoke inhalation and respiratory illness, mental-health treatment.
• Wrongful death: Funeral/burial costs; loss of financial support, companionship, guidance, and care.
• Environmental & land restoration: Debris removal, soil testing, erosion control, slope stabilization.

Pro tip: Keep all receipts, estimates, photographs, itemized inventories, medical records, and insurer correspondence. These documents drive claim value.

Legal & Insurance Steps (Made Simple)

1. Free case review: We assess your losses, policy coverages, and potential third-party liability.
2. Evidence preservation: Site photos, drone imagery (when appropriate), fire-cause reports, utility/vegetation records, and expert inspections.
3. Damage documentation: Independent property scopes, contents inventories, ALE tracking, medical/business loss support.
4. Negotiate & pursue recovery: We press your insurer for full benefits and pursue claims against responsible parties, including PG&E where the evidence supports liability.
5. Settle or litigate: Whether by settlement or in court, we aim to maximize your total recovery—present and future.

Essential Recovery Resources (Quick Guide)

• Government assistance: Check federal/state portals for disaster relief and local debris-removal programs.
• Permits & zoning: Consult a licensed contractor early to understand rebuilding requirements and code upgrades.
• Financial housekeeping: Continue paying mortgage and taxes; request mortgage forbearance or hardship relief where available; consider property-tax reassessment for major damage.

Camp Fire FAQs

Do I still have a claim even if my home wasn’t a total loss?

Yes. Partial burns, heat and smoke contamination, loss of use, landscaping and tree loss, and code-required upgrades are compensable when properly documented.

How does PG&E’s role affect my case?

Evidence from official investigations linked ignition to PG&E transmission equipment. An attorney compiles those findings with your individual losses to pursue recovery from all responsible sources—insurance first, and third-party claims where appropriate.

What evidence should I gather?

Photos/video, inventories, receipts, contractor scopes, medical records, evacuation and displacement records, and any insurer communications. We’ll help you organize and fill gaps with expert support.

What if I’m under-insured?

We audit coverages, explore code-upgrade benefits, and pursue third-party recovery when supported by the evidence to bridge under-insurance.

Talk to a Camp Fire Lawyer Today

Recovering after a disaster of this magnitude is overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. The Wagner Law Group combines compassionate counsel with rigorous, evidence-based advocacy.

Call (833) 200-7111 or contact us now for a free, confidential consultation.