California witnessed its first wildfire death of the 2024 season. Human remains were reportedly found by Mendocino County officials in a home that was burned in a fire that began on Monday, July 8th. While the coroner’s office works to officially identify the body, it is thought that it may be the remains of a 66-year-old woman who was reported missing by her family.
County officials say the woman was last seen on her property attempting to protect her home with a garden hose.
The fire that likely caused the death of this woman is the Mina Fire in Mendocino County, located roughly 180 miles north of San Francisco. The Mina Fire began Monday, July 8th, and by Friday, July 12th, it was about 70% contained and had burned around 0.15 square miles.
Joe Tyler, the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said “We are not just in a fire season, but a fire year. Our winds and the recent heat wave have exacerbated the issue, consuming thousands of acres. So we need to be extra cautious.”
California fire officials reported that as of the week of July 10th, the state has already responded to over 3,500 wildfires that have burnt close to 325 square miles of land. This is five times the average area that has been burned through by July 10th in the past five years.
Wildfire Prevention
California wildfires destroy acres of land each year. While they may seem inevitable, most wildfires are human-caused and can be prevented entirely by taking a few simple steps.
According to a study on wildfires by the Federation of American Scientists Project, most wildfires are human-caused. Data collected between 2018-2022 revealed that an average of 89% of wildfires are human-caused.
So what can be done to prevent them?
- Vegetation Management: reduce the volume of flammable materials, such as dead branches, dry leaves, and overgrown shrubs, from around your property that could fuel a fire.
- Follow Fire Restrictions: be careful with fire by making sure to completely extinguish campfires, properly dispose of smoking materials, and avoid starting fires when there are high winds as this can make it easy for fire particles to spread quickly.
- Properly Maintain Your Equipment: conduct regular inspections of your vehicles, power tools, and other equipment you use that could possibly generate sparks.
- Be Mindful: pay attention to your surroundings and avoid engaging in activities that could start a fire in dry areas, like using fireworks in an unapproved area or manner.
Potential Avenues of Legal Recourse Available To Victims of Wildfires
Wildfires affect hundreds of thousands of people in California each year. Causes of these wildfires range from natural causes, such as lightning, to man-made causes like downed power lines and other man-made causes.
“The team at Singleton Schreiber sends our heartfelt condolences to the family who lost their loved one in the Mina Fire,” Says Gerald Singleton, managing partner and attorney at the firm, “It is always tragic losing a loved one, especially in such an extreme manner.
“As a personal injury law firm, we understand the profound impact such losses can have both emotionally and financially on the deceased’s loved one. It is important to note that if you are facing such a situation, you may have grounds for legal recourse and could consider speaking with a personal injury attorney to learn more about your options.”
If you have lost a loved one in a wildfire, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Contact the team at Singleton Schreiber to learn more about your options. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com for more information.
