The Hurst Fire started on January 7, 2025, at 8:25 pm near Diamond Road in Sylmar, California. The fire was active for eight days and burned 799 acres before it was fully contained.
The Hurst Fire is one of a series of wildfires that ignited under the windy and dry conditions of January 7 and 8, and it damaged two mobile homes, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Key impacted areas of the Hurst Fire:
The power utility company Southern California Edison (SCE) filed safety incident reports on January 9 and 10 for two fires: the Eaton and the Hurst Fire. The report indicated that a downed SCE power line near the fire zone in Sylmar may have sparked the Hurst Fire. Fire was not new to the area, as the Hurst Fire burned in the footprints of the 2019 Saddle Ridge Fire. The Saddle Ridge Fire started under SCE’s power transmission line, which was not de-energized.
The SCE is also facing lawsuits alleging that a power line had ignited the Eaton Fire that caused the loss of 18 lives. If the investigation finds that the fire was caused by human activity or utility equipment, those liable for the damage may include:
Atraxia Law can evaluate your case and assess your eligibility. You may be eligible to file a claim if you have suffered injuries or damages in any of the following:
1. Keep a list of all damages to your properties and belongings, including hidden damages caused by water, smoke, and ash. Document the evidence and keep all photos and videos.
2. Notify your insurance provider as soon as you can.
3. Keep a list of all expenses during evacuation and recovery. Keep the receipts, especially of the following:
4. Save all records of communication.
5. Contact a wildfire attorney to help you file a Hurst Fire claim.
Early reports about wildfire insurance claims were not favorable for residents. Some policyholders of the California FAIR Plan, the “last-resort” insurer for high-risk areas that traditional insurance companies usually don’t cover.
Residents complained that the FAIR Plan refused to cover damages from smoke and soot, leaving residents unable to return to their uninhabitable homes. This insurance coverage is essential for Hurst Fire victims. Official reports declared two houses damaged, but other residents may face unlivable homes and health risks from smoke and water damage, even if their homes were not burned down.
The California Insurance Commissioner bulletins reminded insurers to uphold policyholder rights amid reports that adjusters were misinforming residents or denying specific claims, such as “Additional Living Expenses” coverage in case the home was accessible but uninhabitable.
The Insurance Journal reported that by the end of January 2025, insurers had released at least $4 billion in payouts for the Los Angeles wildfires.
Residents may get settlement offers from insurers, but the United Policyholders executive director recommended studying the maximum level of coverage you can get from your policy, which is a crucial step in settlement negotiations. Atraxia Law can get you in touch with a lawyer to help you through these legal processes in the aftermath of wildfires. The damages that should typically be covered include:
If your home was damaged by a wildfire, it’s best to notify your insurer immediately. Filing wildfire insurance claims has different deadlines depending on the insurer and the state laws. Usually, you have one (1) year to file a claim, but others range from 30 days to two years.
To file a Hurst Fire lawsuit, you must follow the different deadlines for filing, depending on the lawsuit type:
We want to help you recover and rebuild after a wildfire. At Atraxia Law, we have decades of experience guiding personal injury and wrongful death victims by connecting them with the right representation. Getting you the maximum compensation and protecting your rights are our priorities, and Atraxia Law will find the right lawyer for this. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your wildfire claim.