Wildfire Lawyer Serving the San Francisco Bay Area, CA

The San Francisco Bay Area is home to more than 7.5 million people. The unique climate and geography of this region makes certain areas susceptible to serious wildfires, which can cause severe devastation to entire neighborhoods and communities.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has been responsible for multiple wildfires and explosions in Northern California. Since 2009, the trial attorneys at Danko Meredith have helped victims of these disasters collect hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation.

If you lost your home or business in a utility-caused fire, Danko Meredith is here to help. To discuss what happened in a free consultation, contact our San Francisco Bay Area wildfire lawyers today. You can also reach our attorneys in Redwood City by calling (650) 453-3600.

Why Choose Our San Francisco Bay Area Utility Wildfire Attorneys

There are many compelling reasons why Californians turn to Danko Meredith after utility-caused wildfires.

More Than 120 Years of Combined Legal Experience

At Danko Meredith, our trial attorneys have more than 12 decades of combined experience practicing law. This includes going to court in San Francisco to put PG&E on notice. Our trial attorneys will use our collective knowledge to hold PG&E accountable for their negligence and seek compensation for wildfire-related damages.

99% Success Rate Thanks to Expert Witnesses

Our trial lawyers have a case success rate over 99%. We credit much of this success to the expert witnesses we consult. Danko Meredith has access to some of the country’s leading authorities on utility-caused wildfires, including highly regarded engineers, economists, medical professionals, and life care planners.

Proven Attorneys in Utility-Caused Wildfire Mass Torts

Danko Meredith has represented thousands of clients in utility-caused fires throughout California. Our trial lawyers know the pain of losing everything and will be steadfast advocates for you against PG&E and other utility companies.

Our Attorneys Are Will to Take PG&E to Trial

The lawyers of Danko Meredith are not afraid to challenge PG&E and other powerful interests in court. We won’t be intimidated, even as corporations throw their resources behind a massive defense team. Even when we’re out-numbered, we’re never out-lawyered, and we’ll always do what’s best for our clients.

A History of High-Value Verdicts and Settlements

Danko Meredith has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. These case results speak to the sheer level of devastation caused by utility wildfires, catastrophic injuries, plane and helicopter crashes, and fatal accidents throughout the state of California.

Free Consultations and Contingency Fee Representation

People displaced by a wildfire have lost so much. Our law firm removes financial obstacles to trustworthy and effective legal representation. Your initial consultation with Danko Meredith is free. In addition, we will work on your case under a contingency fee agreement. That means you only have to pay us if we can secure compensation for your losses. If we can’t win, you do not have to pay us.

Hold PG&E Accountable: Contact Danko Meredith

Danko Meredith has the resources to take on PG&E for causing fires and pipeline explosions. Our experienced wildfire lawyers can help San Francisco Bay Area home and business owners secure compensation to rebuild and make a better start. For a free consultation, contact our SF Bay Area utility wildfire attorneys.

Can a Wildfire Really Affect the San Francisco Bay Area?

Some parts of the Bay Area are at greater risk of wildfires based on their proximity to dry brush, hills, and hiking trails. Major cities in the Bay Area could be threatened by utility fires if PG&E neglects to maintain their equipment. If cinders from these fires get carried by the wind into dense neighborhoods, it could lead to countless preventable tragedies.

Dangerous Dry Conditions Threaten Bay Area Residents

All over California, we’ve experienced a pattern of wet weather followed by a long stretch of hot and dry weather. In the Bay Area, these conditions create dangerous fuel for a major fire. This is especially true for any homes nestled into the hillsides or any suburbs near trails, county parks, or open dry areas.

How We’ve Helped Families in Northern California

Danko Meredith has taken on PG&E multiple times in recent years. As utility-caused wildfires become more common, our trial lawyers have redoubled our commitment to holding utility companies and corporations accountable for disrupting the lives and livelihoods of working Californians.

Here are two high-profile Northern California wildfires in which Danko Meredith helped victims take on PG&E. Learn how our SF Bay Area wildfire attorneys helped these regular Californians obtain compensation.

The Butte Fire

The 2015 Butte Fire was caused by a tree that was too close to one of PG&E’s power lines. Danko Meredith proved that PG&E did not properly train the contractor they hired to trim away branches and other vegetation from their equipment. Our wildfire trail lawyers secured more than $100 million for clients.

The Camp Fire

The 2018 Camp Fire was caused by a poorly maintained transmission line that PG&E neglected to repair. Our law firm learned from internal PG&E documents that the company intentionally ignored fixing the transmission line to save money. Our wildfire attorneys got PG&E to pay into a $10 billion dollar trust to compensate Camp Fire victims.

Potential Causes of PG&E Wildfires in the SF Bay Area

Some of the most common causes of utility wildfires include the following: 

• PG&E’s “Run to Failure” Mentality – This is when utility companies put profits over public safety, allowing old or damaged equipment to fail rather than performing regular maintenance or making necessary repairs.
• Badly Installed Power Lines and Pipelines – Poor installation or placement of power lines, pipelines, and other utility company equipment increases the chances of an out-of-control wildfire from an initial spark.
• Trees and Dry Brush Near Power Lines – When trees or tree limbs are too close to power lines, all it takes is a strong wind to spark a deadly wildfire. Any dry brush around the power lines is fuel for a firestorm.
• Failure to Power Down During Strong Wind Conditions – When weather reports note high winds in wildfire risk areas, PG&E has a duty to power down their equipment to prevent starting a blaze. Not doing so is negligence.
• Working with Negligent Contractors – Utility companies can hire contractors to clear away fire hazards or make repairs. The contractors could be negligent in their duties, the utility company may be negligent in the training or instruction provided, or both parties may share blame in causing a wildfire.

Factors That Make Bay Area Wildfires More Likely

In addition to the pattern of heavy rainfall followed by a long dry season, there are other key factors that could contribute to catastrophic wildfires in different parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Diablo Winds and Strong Gusts Around the Bay Area

Southern California has the Santa Ana winds while the Bay Area has Diablo winds, which get their name from Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County. These hot, dry winds can cause fires to jump roads and carry cinders dozens of yards, sparking new fires in tree tops or other nearby areas full of dry vegetation.

Eucalyptus Trees Throughout the Bay Area

Eucalyptus trees are a familiar sight throughout California. Unfortunately, this invasive tree species could also make wildfires worse. As KQED originally reported in 2018, the bark and leaves from eucalyptus trees creates a lot of dry fuel for a fire that can be carried long distances by the wind. In addition, the fragrant oil from these trees is highly flammable.

The Effects of Climate Change

Climate change has made the extremes in Bay Area weather worse. Atmospheric rivers drench Northern California in rain, which helps local plantlife thrive, at least for a while. The long dry season during the spring, summer, and fall turn trees, leaves, and brush into tinder. Given the realities of the climate crisis, it’s incumbent on PG&E to maintain its equipment and protect Bay Area residents from a potential firestorm.

Contact Our SF Bay Area Wildfire Trial Attorneys

PG&E knows how dangerous the fire season is for Californians. When a utility company understands how deadly these disasters can be but fails to protect people from them, they need to be held accountable. That’s why Danko Meredith is here. If you’ve lost your home or business because PG&E’s negligence led to a preventable fire or explosion, contact our San Francisco Bay Area wildfire lawyers.

Wildfire Risks in the North Bay

Long dry seasons can increase the risk of wildfires in Marin County. This is not just because of dry brush and other vegetation in the Muir Woods or Golden Gate National Recreation Area. If the local fire fighters are unable to contain a brushfire in time, it could put residents in Mill Valley, San Rafael, and Novato in danger.

Homeowners may be especially on edge during prolonged fire seasons, as the smell of smoke from any blazes to the north in Sonoma, Napa, or Lake Counties can often linger in the air.

Wildfire Risks in the East Bay

Walnut Creek, Danville, and other communities in Contra Costa County are in serious danger during fire season. The Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa and the Greater Los Angeles Wildfires have made East Bay fire crews more proactive in fire prevention measures before the summer starts.

Even residential neighborhoods in Oakland and Berkeley could be affected, as long-time East Bay residents recall the devastation of the Oakland Hills firestorm of 1991.

Wildfire Risks on the San Francisco Peninsula

Much of the wildfire risk along the Peninsula depends on the proximity of homes and businesses to places with dry brush and other dried out vegetation. For those in South San Francisco, for instance, a brushfire at San Bruno Mountain State Park is cause for concern.

Other communities along the Peninsula like San Mateo, San Carlos, and Redwood City may face moderate wildfire risk, though any businesses and residences west of Interstate 280 could be in danger during the long and dry wildfire season.

Wildfire Risks in the South Bay

Most of suburban Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley are out of immediate wildfire danger. The wildfire risks increase as one heads south to places like Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Almaden. When the hills and hiking trails dry out, there’s a major risk of wildfires. The SCU Lightning Complex fires demonstrate these dangers.

There’s a potential for fires that start in the dry hills of the South Bay to destroy hillside homes and spread into some of the suburbs below if the wildfire cannot be contained.

Fire Risks in the City of San Francisco

While there are numerous wildfire risks around the Bay Area, the chances of the city of San Francisco being affected by a wildfire is very low. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, only 1% of San Francisco residences are in areas that could be considered wildfire zones.

This does not rule out the chance of all utility-caused fires in the city, however. The combination of heavy rains and long drought conditions can lead to lots of dry brush around the Presidio, where a utility-caused fire could occur. Heavy winds can spread cinders to homes in nearby SF neighborhoods.

Danko Meredith Is Here to Help: Contact Our SF Bay Area Wildfire Attorneys

No matter where you live in the Bay Area, the attorneys of Danko Meredith are here for you. Our law office is based in Redwood City, and we have the best interests of working Californians in mind. Your consultation is free, and you do not pay us anything unless we can secure compensation for you. Let us level the playing field against PG&E and other corporate interests. Contact our San Francisco Bay Area wildfire lawyers. We are ready to listen.

Compensation/Damages from a Utility-Caused Wildfire

If a wildfire or firestorm swept through your neighborhood and damaged your property, the SF Bay Area trial lawyers of Danko Meredith can help seek compensation for your losses.

The amount you recover from a settlement or jury award can be used to cover:

• The value of a lost or damaged home
• The cost of rebuilding your home or relocating
• The loss of personal property from the fire
• The death of family members and pets
• The cost of medical treatment for fire-related injuries
• The loss of income due to wildfire evacuation
• The emotional distress caused by the experience

How You Can Prepare for a San Francisco Bay Area Wildfire

Danko Meredith has worked closely with many California wildfire survivors. These people have lost their homes, invaluable belongings, and even people very close to them. As these tragedies become a more common occurrence, their stories become crucial sources of advice that can help other Californians in the future.

Below are a few tips to consider if you live in a part of the Bay Area that’s at risk for a wildfire.

Grab Belongings That Cannot Be Replaced

Many people grab toiletries and clothes in anticipation of an emergency. You can get these items from stores or donations once you’re safe. Instead, pack belongings you can never replace, like photo albums, family heirlooms, and keepsakes with sentimental value.

Make Sure to Pack Well Before You Need to Leave

Wildfires can spread quickly when they’re on the move. You may have only seconds to act. If you are able to pack your things into your car ahead of time, be sure to do so before your neighborhood is listed as an evacuation zone.

Gather Your Pets and Animals as Soon as Possible

An approaching wildfire can agitate animals. In a panic, some pets may hide in unexpected or hard-to-reach places. Get your pets on a leash or in their travel kennels so they are ready to leave at a moment’s notice. It’s better to have your pets with you and prepared than to go looking for them or leave them behind.

Get Your Car Ready to Evacuate

If the power goes out during a wildfire, your car, truck, or SUV may be stuck in the garage. Back your vehicle into the driveway and fill it with your things. This ensures you can drive to safety when needed without getting trapped.

Do a Video Walkthrough of Your Home (If You Have Time)

Insurance companies will want an inventory of your belongings that were lost in a fire. A quick video that documents the items in the house can help catalog all of the things destroyed by the fire. A simple video could lead to tens or hundreds of thousands more dollars from the insurance company.

Get Out as Soon as You’re Ordered to Evacuate

When you get an evacuation order, leave immediately. Firefighters prioritize saving people in a burning home before they fight a blaze. Evacuating the neighborhood when told to will allow emergency responders to protect people’s homes and the possessions within.

Never Stay Behind to Fight the Fire Yourself

Civilians do not have the training, resources, or equipment to put out a wildfire. In fact, electricity and water often get shut off as a wildfire draws near. Prioritize your safety and the safety of your loved ones and neighbors—leave the firefighting to the firefighters.

Our Trial Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Lost Everything in a Bay Area Wildfire

Established in 2009, Danko Meredith has helped wildfire victims statewide recover hundreds of millions of dollars from PG&E. We will never be out-lawyered when advocating for California’s working families, small businesses, and devastated communities.

To request a free consultation, contact our San Francisco Bay Area wildfire attorneys. You can also reach our Redwood City law office by phone at (650) 453-3600.