As if 2020 hasn’t been challenging enough with the pandemic, economic challenges, and riots, states like California and Colorado have been plagued by massive, devastating wildfires. In California, the Cal-Fire San Bernardino Public Information Office announced over the Labor Day Weekend the underlying cause of one of the wildfires sweeping across the Golden State: a pyrotechnic device (of large firework) ignited at a gender reveal party in San Bernardino County.
Firefighting and fire control officials announced their determination about the start of the late Sunday night, September 6, 2020. These officials specially advised that what has become known as the El Dorado Fire started at 10:23 a.m. Saturday, September 5 in Yucaipa at the El Dorado Ranch Park in the community.
Friends and family gathered that morning for a so-called gender reveal party, an event designed to announce the gender of an unborn child. During the gathering, what has been described as a “smoke generating pyrotechnic device” was ignited by the partygoers. These types of fireworks are designed to generate blue or pink smoke, depending on the gender of the unborn child.
The large pyrotechnic device started a fire immediately in the El Dorado Park in Yucaipa, spreading in not time over the Yucaipa Ridge that divides Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the City of Yucaipa. Within a day, 7,000 acres had been destroyed by the El Dorado Fire.
The U.S. Forest Service has been involved in battling to rapidly expanding blaze. According to the Fire Service, by Sunday, the El Dorado Fire was spreading in all four directions. By Sunday, 3,000 residents were evacuated because of the El Dorado Fire. As of Memorial Day, the fire was only 5 percent contained.
The El Dorado Fire is expected to continue to spread, despite the best efforts of firefighters. Additional evacuations are also expected.
Firefighters anticipate significant challenges in fighting the massive El Dorado Fire. One of the major challenges is the record-breaking heat in Southern California at this time. Indeed, Woodland Hills experienced a previously unimaginable record-breaking temperature on Sunday of an unbearable 121 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
The terribly hot and dry conditions throughout much of California has made 2020 an unusually hectic year for firefighters. An incredible 1.6 million acres have been destroyed by wildfires as of Labor Day. This tally includes three of the largest wildfires in the history of California.
Firefighters have pulled out all of the stops to battle the Eldorado Park Fire. As of dawn on Labor Day, over 800 firefighters were on hand fighting the El Dorado Fire.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as a result of the El Dorado Park gender reveal party fire less than a day after the start of the blaze. On Sunday, the Governor declared a state of emergency in five California counties as a result of the El Dorado Fire and two other wildfires in the state.
In referencing this trio of wildfires, the California Governor stated: “The fires have burned tens of thousands of acres, destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of thousands of residents.”
The Cal-Fire San Bernardino Public Information Office made a point of noting that the El Dorado Fire was likely the result of both negligence and illegal activity. The agency made clear that “those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible.”
If you’ve suffered losses as the result of a wildfire in California, Colorado, or elsewhere in 2020, you need to understand your legal rights. The Doan Law Firm legal team has significant experience in dealing with a wide array of different types of fire and explosion cases that result in personal injury and property damage. You can arrange an initial consultation and case evaluation with a Doan Law Firm fire and explosion accident lawyer by calling (800) 349-0000 any time of the day or night, 365 days a year, including all major holidays. There is no charge for an initial consultation with a Doan Law Firm fire and explosion accident lawyer.
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