Hemet Fairview Fire Update Heavy Winds, Rains and Mudslides Incoming Hurricane Kay

Mudslides have historically been a serious danger in California, especially after wildfires have ravaged the area. The mudslides can be just as damaging as the fires themselves, and often result in further property damage, injuries, and even death. In this blog post, we will discuss the dangers of mudslides and what you can do if you or your belongings have been impacted by one. We will also look at the legal options available to those affected by mudslides.

The Fairview Fires in Hemet So Far
Since the Fairview fires started on September 5th, possibly as a result of an Edison powerline experiencing "circuit activity", they have burned over 27,000 acres of land, destroyed 11 buildings, killed two people, and injured one. It is a devastating event that is hurting many in the Hemet area. The fires have been burning for four days as of September 9th, and is only 5% contained. However, there is still much danger that can come of these fires. Mudslides are one of them.

Southern California Edison has been criticized for the fires, as some believe that they could have been prevented if the power company had maintained their equipment better. As of now, there is an investigation underway to see what exactly caused the fire. No matter the cause, mudslides are a real danger in this area.

The Dangers of Mudslides After Wildfires
Mudslides are one of the most dangerous things that can happen in the aftermath of a wildfire. They often happen without warning and can cause extensive damage. In some cases, mudslides can even be deadly. Mudslides typically happen when there is a lot of rain in an area that has been recently burned by a wildfire. The rain can cause the loose dirt and ash to turn into mud, which can then flow down slopes at high speeds, often picking up debris like rocks and trees as it goes. This mud can then crash into homes and other buildings, causing severe damage or even collapsing them. Mudslides can also cause mud and debris to block roads, making it difficult or even impossible for people to get around, both for responders as well as members of the affected community.

As mentioned, the primary way a mudslide forms is when there is heavy rainfall in an area after a wildfire. Unfortunately, with Hurricane Kay on Southern California's doorstep, heavy rainfall might be exactly what Hemet sees next. With how much vegetation has been burned and how dry the dirt is, the rain will not be absorbed and the soil will be unanchored by the roots of plants. If Hurricane Kay brings heavy rainfall to the Fairview fire, the situation might flip from preventing the wildfire from spreading to monitoring and handling flooding and mudslides.

Evacuation Orders in Hemet
Currently, the Riverside County Fire Department reports that the evacuation orders in place affect about 18,500 people living in Hemet. Despite this, based on the department's findings, only about 10% are complying. This means that if mudslides begin to occur, there might be people staying behind who get caught in them and find themselves trapped, or worse, injured or killed. In a situation like the wildfires in Hemet, it is always advised to comply with orders coming from the relevant authorities, especially as evacuation is concerned.

How You Can Seek Compensation After a Mudslide
Gathering Evidence of Damage
If you or your property have been impacted by a mudslide, there are some things you can do in order to seek compensation. First, if you have mud and debris on your property, document the damage by taking pictures or videos. This will be helpful later when filing an insurance claim or seeking compensation from another party. However, you should only do this if you can safely access your property, and are not violating evacuation orders to do so. When mudslides happen, they often leave roads blocked or otherwise inaccessible, so it may be impossible to access the damaged property. You should also try to get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the mudslide occur. These witnesses can provide valuable testimony about what happened and how it has impacted you. If you have cameras on or around your property that belong to you, the footage from them might also be able to help.

Who is Liable to Provide Compensation
If you have been injured in a mudslide, or if your property has been damaged, you might be able to seek compensation from the party responsible for the wildfire. It currently seems to be the case that one of Edison's power lines may have come into contact with another piece of equipment, causing an electrical arcing event and starting the fire. If this is the case, you may be able to seek compensation from Edison, who might have acted negligently in the maintenance of their power lines. Seek legal counsel to discuss your options and find the best course of action for your specific situation.

https://www.napolinlaw.com/legal-news/wildfire-death-burn-injury/the-hemet-fairview-fire-do-victims-have-a-case-against-sce/