New York Wildfire Lawsuit

About New York Wildfires

New York wildfires can burn thousands of acres, causing devastation for families and firefighters. Dry conditions, low relative humidity, strong winds, and lightning all contribute to the state’s wildfires — but most New York wildfires are actually caused by human activity.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), hundreds of wildfires have occurred annually between 2020-2025. They collectively burned 11,678 acres across the state.

New York residents should also be aware that:

• Communities in Long Island and the Hudson Valley are most at risk of wildfires.
• Human activities cause wildfires most often, including debris burning, campfire use, and smoking.
• New York’s largest wildfire was the 1903 Adirondack Fire, which burned over 600,000 acres after a farmer lost control of a prescribed burn and railroad sparks created other mini fires throughout the region.
• The Hudson Valley had the most wildfires between 2021-2024, experiencing a total of 404 fires.
• When the Happy Land Social Club Fire killed 87 people in 1990, victims and families sued the club owner, the building owner, and the city. The resulting $15.8 million settlement became the largest fire settlement in New York history.
• Wildfires may become more likely in New York, given the state’s increasing fire weather days and the lack of any operational fire towers.

If you or someone you love was hurt or lost property due to a New York wildfire, it’s important to explore legal options that can help you recover. Contact Fire Help Center to find out if you’re eligible for financial compensation through a New York wildfire lawsuit.

A History of Wildfires in New York

Wildfires have long been part of New York’s environmental history, upending lives and destroying homes or property. In some cases, civilians and firefighters have lost their lives in the blazes.

Understanding how wildfires have affected New Yorkers throughout the state’s history could keep you and your family safer.

Notable wildfires in New York include:

• 2025: The Long Island Fire
• 2024: The Jennings Creek Fire
• 2024: The Five-Borough Brush Fires
• 2022: The Bronx Apartment Fire
• 2012: The Crescent Bow Fire
• 2008: The Ulster Park Fire
• 1995: The Sunrise Fire
• 1990: The Happy Land Social Club Fire
• 1989: The Manorville Fire
• 1963: The Black Saturday Fires
• 1911: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
• 1908: The Long Lake West Fire
• 1903: The Adirondack Fire
• 1835: The Great Fire of New York

Annual brush fires across New York add to the state’s wildfire risks. If you’ve experienced injuries or loss after a wildfire, speak with our team and see if you qualify to work with a New York wildfire lawyer.

The Long Island Fire

The Long Island Fire started when Manorville residents created a fire to make s’mores in March 2025. Strong winds carried the embers to dry brush, igniting a wildfire that burned more than 600 acres.

Two commercial buildings were damaged in the blaze. No homes or residents were harmed, though two firefighters were injured.

The Jennings Creek Fire

Drought conditions fueled the Jennings Creek Fire after it began in November 2024. The wildfire killed one firefighter and destroyed over 5,000 acres.

Orange County now uses drones to track active fires because the Jennings Creek Fire was so large and difficult to manage from the ground. The cause of the Jennings Creek Fire remains unknown.

The Five-Borough Brush Fires

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responded to over 271 brush fires throughout 5 boroughs in November 2024 that stemmed from a lack of rain and high winds. It was the highest amount of brush fires in a two-week period throughout the city’s history.

The fires burned two acres within Prospect Park and inspired the FDNY to form the Brush Fire Task Force, which may improve preparedness and responses in the future.

The Bronx Apartment Fire

Families living in a Bronx apartment building woke up to thick smoke on the morning of January 9, 2022. A space heater malfunctioned, starting that fire that created excessive amounts of smoke.

While only a small part of the building was damaged in the fire, 17 people died from smoke inhalation while trying to evacuate. Two survivors have sued the Portland company that owned the building after self-closing doors malfunctioned during the fire, preventing people from getting out.

The lawsuit seeks up to $3 billion in punitive and compensatory damages for the tenants. Litigation is ongoing.

The Crescent Bow Fire

An intentionally set fire destroyed more than 1,100 acres of the Pine Barrens in 2012. 109 fire departments fought to contain the Crescent Bow wildfire. It destroyed a commercial building, three homes, and several vehicles before it was put out.

The fire reached Ridge, Manorville, and Calverton, but no lives were lost. Officials have not made an arrest.

The Ulster Park Fire

An improperly discarded cigarette started a forest fire in 2008. The flames grew into the Ulster Park Fire, which destroyed over 3,000 acres throughout the Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

If you’ve experienced a loss after a wildfire caused by human negligence, you may qualify to file a New York wildfire lawsuit. Call Fire Help Center at (866) 866-0753 to see if you’re eligible.

The Sunrise Fire

Long Island had gone without rain for 21 days when a likely accidental fire began in August 1995. The flames grew within the Pine Barrens, becoming so large that more than 3,000 first responders arrived to help battle it.

Trees exploded as flames jumped between branches 200 feet above the firefighters. 10 structures were damaged, 49 firefighters experienced minor injuries, and there were no fatalities. The exact cause remains unknown.

The Happy Land Social Club Fire

The Happy Land Social Club Fire started on March 25, 1990, after a man purposefully set fire to the club. The building had not met fire safety protocols and only had one way out. The fire killed 87 people.

A Bronx judge announced a $15.8 million settlement for the victims and their families in July 1995, which remains the largest fire settlement in the state’s history as of 2026. Each person or party who filed a claim received $100,000.

The Manorville Fire

Six square miles of undeveloped forest were lost to the Manorville Fire in April 1989. Multiple brush fires spread over a week, forcing residents from 20 homes to evacuate.

Three firefighters were hospitalized, but no lives were lost. 39 fire departments prevented the flames from reaching homes south and east of the six-mile area.

The Black Saturday Fires

In April 1963, Staten Island experienced one of the largest fires in the region’s history. Agriculture and debris burns grew out of control in winds reaching 50 miles per hour (mph). Low pressure in the local fire hydrants prevented firefighters from dousing the growing flames.

Seven people died, and 400 structures were destroyed. The wildfire burned 183,000 acres before it could be contained, equalling 4% of New Jersey’s land base.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was the worst workplace fire in New York City before 9/11. Someone discarded a lit cigar or cigarette near a fabric scrap bin, which started the flames within the Asch Building.

146 workers died in half an hour because the fire escape exit doors were locked. People filed 23 New York wildfire lawsuits against the company. The tragedy resulted in numerous new laws, including the National Labor Relations Act.

The Long Lake West Fire

The Long Lake West Fire was the worst of many that occurred in 1908. After a railroad spark ignited the fire, it burned across 12 miles from Horseshoe to Nehasane, fed by dry brush as well as heat and friction from the trains transporting men to fight it.

The Adirondack Fire

640 small fires grew within the Adirondack and Catskill regions over two months in April 1903. Investigators estimated that the causes were railroad work and a farmer clearing land with a prescribed burn.

It’s believed arsonists also set many of these New York forest fires. The intentionally set wildfires burned almost 75,000 acres.

You may qualify for a New York wildfire lawsuit if you’ve suffered from a fire. Contact our team today to learn about your eligibility.

The Great Fire of New York

The Great Fire of New York began on December 16, 1835, after a gas pipe burst in lower Manhattan. Gale-force winds carried the fire across 17 city blocks. It ultimately killed two people before it was contained.

What Causes Wildfires in New York?

Wildfires in New York are most often caused by human activity rather than natural events. Everything from failing to put out campfires or cigarettes to intentional acts of arson has caused significant wildfires throughout the state.

Here’s a full breakdown of how forest fires in New York start:

• Campfires: 28%
• Children: 2%
• Debris burning: 22%
• Lightning: 5%
• Miscellaneous causes: 30%
• Negligence: 13%

You may qualify for a New York wildfire lawsuit if you experienced physical injuries or property loss during a wildfire started by negligence. Get a free case review to speak with our compassionate case managers about your story.

Who Is Responsible for Starting New York Wildfires?

Determining responsibility for a wildfire involves careful investigation by forest rangers and New York firefighters. They may discover more than a single ignition source if multiple small fires merged into a larger wildfire.

Responsible parties for New York wildfires may include:

• Companies using equipment that sparks fires
• Individuals who fail to properly extinguish fires
• People who intentionally start fires
• Property owners who ignore burn bans

“Human activity causes the majority of wildfires, many of which could have been prevented.”

– Sokolove Law

If negligence is identified, wildfire victims may have grounds to pursue legal action. Compensation could help them rebuild and gain peace of mind while they recover.

How to File a New York Wildfire Lawsuit

Recovering from a New York wildfire can be overwhelming, but families can file lawsuits to ease their situation.

Filing a New York wildfire lawsuit is easy with the help of experienced attorneys. Top New York wildfire lawyers in our network handle the bulk of the legal work on your behalf, making it easier for you to take legal action.

Here’s how people file a New York wildfire lawsuit:

• They get a free case review to determine whether they’re eligible for compensation.
• They speak with a New York wildfire lawyer about collecting evidence and filing a claim.
• They wait and recover while their lawyer presents their case and negotiates a settlement or seeks a verdict.

While every case is different, and there are no guarantees, other families have sometimes received significant payouts through wildfire lawsuits. Compensation may help them rebuild their homes, cover medical bills, or pay funeral expenses.

Find out your eligibility with a free case review.

How Wildfire Compensation May Help You Recover

Financial stressors shouldn’t prevent you and your family from processing your loss. If a wildfire was caused by negligence, such as unsafe equipment use, failure to follow burn bans, or other preventable actions, compensation could help you heal.

A wildfire lawsuit may help you pursue compensation for:

• Damage to your home and property
• Health-related expenses from smoke exposure
• Loss of personal belongings
• Temporary housing and relocation costs

Investigations by forest rangers and local fire departments often determine how a fire started months or years after containment. Filing a New York wildfire lawsuit may result in compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Notable Wildfire Settlements That Helped Survivors Rebuild

People seek wildfire settlements to cover essential needs after unimaginable loss. They may use their compensation to rebuild their homes, afford funeral expenses, and pay for health care costs as they heal.

A New York wildfire lawsuit settlement could provide similar peace of mind. You shouldn’t have to worry about managing your finances while recovering from an overwhelming loss.

Former settlements from wildfires nationwide include:

• 2026: Southern California Edison (SCE) reached a $34.4 million settlement after its faulty equipment was identified as the ignition source for the 2025 Eaton Fire.
• 2025: Xcel Energy agreed to pay $640 million to settle Colorado wildfire lawsuits claiming a malfunctioning power line started the 2021 Marshall Fire.
• 2025: SCE reached a settlement agreement to recover $2 billion related to California wildfires and mudslides between 2017-2018.
• 2023: PacifiCorp agreed to a $299 million settlement for survivors of the 2020 Archie Creek Fire.

If you’re unsure whether you have a case, get a free case review now. We can help you better understand your options.

Does Insurance Cover Wildfire Damage in New York?

Figuring out how to rebuild and start healing is one of many initial concerns for wildfire victims. Homeowners insurance may help cover losses such as smoke and structural damage to your home, personal belongings, and additional living expenses if you’re forced to evacuate.

But coverage can vary widely depending on your policy, and the claims process is not always straightforward.

Some New York residents face wildfire insurance challenges, such as:

• Claim processing delays
• Denied or underpaid claims
• Disputes over the value of damage
• Surprise coverage gaps

If your insurance doesn’t cover all the costs, a New York wildfire lawsuit may be able to help pay for your related expenses. Experienced New York wildfire attorneys can determine your eligibility.

Find a New York Fire Lawyer Near You

If you’ve experienced loss or damage after a fire, you may have legal options. You could be eligible to work with a New York fire accident lawyer or a New York wildfire lawyer.

Both kinds of attorneys will handle the legal process for victims, making it easier to pursue compensation. They handle all the court proceedings, so you can focus on recovering or rebuilding.

A fire damage lawyer in New York or a wildfire attorney can determine if you have a valid claim for damages after a fire.

The best wildfire and fire accident lawyers in New York:

• Collect evidence for your case
• File fire accident or wildfire lawsuits on your behalf
• Negotiate settlements for you
• Represent you in court, if needed

The experienced fire accident and New York wildfire lawyers in our network are ready to take on new cases. Our team can talk with you about your experience and potentially put you in touch with them.

Get your free case review now.

Get Legal Support After a New York Wildfire

Recovering after a wildfire can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with property loss, health concerns, and uncertainty about what comes next.

Fire Help Center provides information, resources, and guidance for individuals affected by wildfires. We help connect victims with our case managers when negligence may have played a role.

Get a free case review today or call (866) 866-0753 and take the next step toward recovery. Our team is here to listen and connect you with support resources.