Wildfires do not appear out of nowhere. They always have cause. Wildfire investigations are conducted after every blaze in California to determine the cause and try to identify problem areas that can be remedied to prevent future fires. Your rights as a wildfire victim will depend on the results of the investigation.
Who Investigates the Cause of a Wildfire in California?
A wildfire investigation in California will typically be performed by a combination of state, federal and local agencies. This often includes the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), police departments, and California wildfire attorneys from personal injury law firms. Professionals who have been trained in interpreting wildfire patterns are trusted with these investigations.
What Does a Wildfire Investigation Involve?
The goal of the wildfire investigation is to determine where the fire was first sparked (known as the ignition zone) and identify the cause. The investigation will begin with pinpointing the ignition zone, typically by studying wildfire burn patterns to determine where the fire burned the hottest. Fires often burn in a “V” pattern that is narrowest near the source. This can point investigators to where the blaze first ignited. Wildfire investigators can rely on many tools and processes to understand how and why the fire began, such as:
- Visiting the ignition zone to visually evaluate the area
- Analyzing fire patterns, behavior and progression based on char marks
- Taking photographs and detailed notes to document the scene
- Interviewing witnesses who may have information
- Reviewing fire department response documents
- Assessing the weather and environmental conditions using climate models
A wildfire forensics team will be sent to the ignition zone to document the scene and potentially gather evidence that could point to causation. Wildfire investigations follow the scientific method: wildfire specialists and investigators establish a hypothesis based on the evidence found, then attempt to prove the hypothesis and disprove other theories.
Common Causes of Wildfires in California
Identifying the cause of a blaze in California can help inform wildfire victims’ decisions as they attempt to move forward and rebuild. The most common cause of wildfires is human activity. According to the National Park Service, almost 85 percent of all wildfires in the United States are caused by humans. Examples include negligent equipment use, unattended fires, discarded cigarettes and arson. Corporate negligence is a leading cause of human-related wildfires in California. Utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric can be responsible for causing fires through negligence such as failing to properly maintain power lines and electrical equipment, ignoring known fire hazards, and misusing equipment and machinery. Wildfires that are not caused by humans are typically sparked by lightning.
Your Rights After a Wildfire Investigation
Wildfire investigations can take many months, depending on the case. Investigative teams will examine scorch marks, use technology to assist them with fire pattern mapping, analyze the local environment, speak with witnesses and take other steps to get to the bottom of what caused the fire. Once investigators publish their findings, victims can use this as evidence for wildfire lawsuits. If an investigation identifies a utility company as being responsible, for example, claims and lawsuits can arise against the corporation for negligently failing to prevent the wildfire. A successful case against the at-fault party could provide the victim with financial compensation for various losses beyond insurance coverage.