September 2022 Wildfire Updates
A brutal heat wave gripped much of California in early September. The record heat, low humidity and high winds led to three wildfires which have viable subrogation potential.
Mill Fire (Northern California)
The Mill Fire started in the early afternoon of September 2nd, 2022, causing devastating damage in Siskiyou County, in and around the city of Weed, California. The Mill Fire lasted 11 days reaching 100% containment by the late evening of September 13, 2022. During this time, it burned through 3,935 acres, damaged 26 structures, and destroyed another 118. Over 7,000 residents were evacuated and 2 civilians perished trying to escape. The official CAL Fire investigation is still under way, but our retained experts have currently identified the area of origin to be at or around the nearby mill owned and operated by the Roseburg Forest Products Company. The Oregon based company released an official statement a few days after the fire’s commencement stating that they would be investigating the potential failure of a third-party machine used at the facility to cool the byproduct ash produced in the generation of electricity onsite. Our office, including retained experts, continue to monitor the status of this matter.
Potential zip codes for losses include: 96094, 96067, and 96064.
Fairview Fire (Southern California)
The Fairview Fire started in the late afternoon of September 5th, 2022, in Riverside County, east of the city of Hemet, California. The Fairview Fire is currently active as of September 23, 2022, but near full containment. It has burned through 28,307 acres at this time, causing damage to 8 structures and having destroyed 36. In addition, 2 civilian fatalities have been associated with this fire. The cause of the fire is still under official investigation. Southern California Edison subsequently filed a related incident report with the California Public Utilities Commission, only vaguely reporting “circuit activity” occurring around the same time the fire began. Due to an unseasonably heavy tropical storm and recently burned landscape the area was also placed under evacuations for mudslide warnings. Our investigation to date shows strong subrogation potential.
Potential zip codes for losses include: 92544,92539, 92536, 92592, 92543, 92581, and 92583.
Mosquito Fire (East-Central California)
The Mosquito Fire started on September 6th, 2022, in Placer County and subsequently spreading into parts of El Dorado County. The Mosquito Fire is currently active at the time of this writing, with less than 50% containment despite recent heavy rain in the area. To date the fire has burned through 76,000 acres, damaged 13 structures, and destroyed 78. An estimated 11,000 residents in both counties were evacuated at the height of fire activity. In addition, the fire has caused closures in parts of both the El Dorado National Forest and Tahoe National Forest. The cause of this fire is still under official investigation. Pacific Gas and Electric subsequently filed a related incident report with the California Public Utilities Commission reporting “electrical activity occurred close in time” to the reported start of this fire and listed 60kV under its “Facilities Affected”. Matt Green from our office was able to view the scene along with consultants. Based on this initial exam subrogation potential looks favorable.
Potential zip codes for losses include: 95631, 95717, 95631, 95667, 95651, 95633, 95635, 95634, and 95614
