Creek Fire

In the early hours of December 5, 2017, the Creek Fire was sparked on Kagel Canyon Road in the Sylmar area.

Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire quickly spread to impact communities such as Sylmar, Pacoima, Lopez Canyon, Olive View, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Lake View Terrace, and Kagel Canyon. The Creek Fire was not fully extinguished until January 9, 2018 when heavy rainfall helped extinguish what was left of the fire. 

The Creek Fire, by the numbers

  • 15,619 acres burned
  • 123 buildings destroyed
  • 81 buildings damaged
  • 150,000 households evacuated

What caused the Creek Fire?

Residents in the area where the Creek Fire began reported seeing a power line come loose from a steel pylon owned by LADWP, sending sparks flying. This occurred around the same time that the Creek Fire began.

In December 2019, the federal government filed a lawsuit against LADWP for over $40 million in costs for firefighting and forest restoration. In their lawsuit, the federal government alleged that LADWP had neglected to remove brush from beneath their equipment. In October 2019, a Los Angeles City Controller released an audit in which LADWP was ordered to speed up repairs of their utility equipment to prevent sparking wildfires. This report cited 50 transformers and 2,230 utility poles that had been identified for replacement in fire hazard zones. 

Claims for damages caused by the Creek Fire

If you’ve been impacted by the Creek Fire, you may be able to make a claim for some of your damages. Even if you have insurance, it very likely won’t cover the full extent of your damages. By making a claim, you may be able to recover damages such as: 

  • Damage to your home
  • Damages to other structures on your property
  • Loss of personal property
  • Lost income
  • Costs of temporary housing and other costs associated with evacuation
  • Emotional distress

Contact a Creek Fire attorney

The wildfire attorneys at The Wallace Firm are representing victims of the Creek Fire in their claims against LADWP. As a team with strong connections to the areas impacted by this devastating fire, we want to help people in the area get back on their feet. Even if you rent your home or don’t have insurance, you may still be able to get the compensation you need to help rebuild your life. Contact us today for help with your case. 

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