The Fairview Fire, a wildlands fire that erupted in Hemet, California on Monday, September 5th has killed two people, severely injured a third person, and burned over 7,091 acres in Riverside County. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the wildfire is only 5% contained as firefighters from across the state continue to battle the blaze with no relief during an extreme heat wave. Evacuation orders have been issued for residents in several communities surrounding the fire and Tahquitz High School in Hemet serves as an evacuation center for residents displaced by the fire.
The cause of the Fairview Fire remains under investigation, however, a Southern California Edison spokesperson has said that there was “circuit activity” around the same time the wildfire was first reported.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the Fairview fire, especially those who have lost loved ones and suffered injuries,” said David Eisenhauer, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison. “Our information reflects circuit activity occurring close in time to the reported time of the fire.”
It’s unclear whether the utility company’s equipment played a role in the blaze, or what that circuit activity was, but SCE reported the incident to the California Public Utilities Commission.
Anyone affected by the Fairview Fire undoubtedly has an array of concerns. It’s important to carefully plan your next steps and preserve all evidence that may help you support an insurance claim if you’ve recently suffered damages. Dealing with alternate housing, transportation, and emergency services, may prove to be time-consuming and stressful. However, it is important to preserve any receipts, correspondence, or documentation during this time, as this information may help with an insurance issue later.
There are several ways an attorney can help in such a situation, and the team at Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP is here to help when you need it.