Wildfires are a threat to many areas of the United States. Southern California, Texas, Alaska, Colorado, and areas in the west have seen some of the worst wildfires in the history of the country. In 2004, Alaska experienced the worst ever year for fires, with over 5 million acres affected. In 2007, over 16 separate wildfires burned through almost 500,000 acres of Southern California, leaving 3 dead and 25 injured. By definition, a wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that affects forested areas or wilderness areas. Depending on where the fire began, it could also be called a brush fire, forest fire, desert fire, or grass fire. What makes these disasters so deadly is the speed at which they spread and their vast supply of fuel.

Just southwest of Denver, Colorado, approximately 900 homes have been evacuated and the number of those threatened is growing. So far in this rural area, around 25 homes have been burned and destroyed. Even though this area is scarcely populated, it is only miles from the city of Denver. According to authorities, there has only been one death so far. They have not officially declared a cause of death but the Jefferson County sheriff's spokeswoman has stated that the victim was not a firefighter or other emergency personnel. Due to the high winds, the fire spread quickly, covering five square miles of ground in mere hours. The winds were also the reason that support from the air could not be brought in to help the firefighters already on the ground.

Authorities are still unsure as to why the fire started, however, there are suspicions that this was a prescribed fire that had gotten out of control. Sometimes fires are set deliberately in order to get rid of dry vegetation that poses a risk to start a fire. However, due to the high winds, one of these preventative fires may have spread. Another possible reason is the unusually dry and warm weather the area was experiencing. In March, that area does not usually see the weather in the 70s, in fact, March usually has a lot of snow. Residents were warned to take shelter at high schools in Denver and Littleton and it remains to be seen how much more damage this fire will do.

Property damage, serious injury, and even death are all frightening possibilities that these residents will have to face. However, even when the fire is brought under control, their ordeal may be far from over. After a natural disaster such as a wildfire, there may be hundreds if not thousands of individuals and families who will be seeking help from their insurance companies. Those insured under a homeowner policy deserve the right to be given whatever help they need. However, just when you need them most, these large companies can prove to be difficult to work with and reluctant to help. They may delay unnecessarily as well as attempt to give you a lesser amount than you deserve.

So what should you do after a wildfire in order to ensure that you are treated fairly? First, keep as many documents as possible regarding the fire. Take photographs of the damage done so that your insurance company cannot downplay the severity of your situation. Keep track of all the costs that stemmed from the disaster and get accurate estimates regarding what it will take to rebuild your home and your life. If you are not being treated fairly, having a strong personal injury lawyer on your side could make all the difference in the outcome of your case. They could help you stand up to injustice and get the financial help you need to move on.