The Camp Fire (2018) was a California wildfire in Butte County, with 153,336 acres, 18,804 structures destroyed, 85 deaths on the public record. Its cause is recorded as confirmed. Resolved / settled. Status as of October 1, 2026, per PG&E Fire Victim Trust.
The Camp Fire killed 85 people and destroyed 18,804 structures in Butte County on November 8, 2018, most of them in Paradise. No California wildfire on record has done more damage or taken more lives.
The questions of cause and fault are closed. CAL FIRE named PG&E transmission lines. PG&E pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and was fined the legal maximum of $3.5 million. State regulators approved $1.937 billion in penalties covering this fire and the 2017 Northern California fires.
Claims are not being tried in court. PG&E filed for bankruptcy in January 2019, and its reorganization plan sent fire victims' claims to the Fire Victim Trust, which also pays claims from the 2015 Butte Fire and the 2017 North Bay fires. The Trust reports $19.57 billion awarded and $13.72 billion paid as of August 31, 2026. It has paid approved claims at 70 percent of their value since October 2024, and it has announced one final distribution of 1.25 percent for October 14, 2026, after which it says there will be no more.
That gap is the part still open. Approved awards exceed what the Trust has to pay. A state law chaptered on September 30, 2026, Assembly Bill 2700, directs the Public Utilities Commission to report on wildfire victim restitution shortfalls. It does not itself order any payment.
The filing windows for these claims were set by the bankruptcy court and the Trust several years ago: a proof of claim deadline that the court extended to December 31, 2019 for fire claimants, and a Trust claims questionnaire deadline that was extended to February 26, 2021. We record those as dates on the public record, not as a statement about anyone's situation.
Fire facts
From public records; unknown values are shown, never guessed.
| Year | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Start date | 2018-11-08 |
| Containment date | 2018-11-25 |
| Region / counties | Butte |
| Acreage | 153,336 |
| Structures destroyed | 18,804 |
| Structures damaged | 754 |
| Fatalities | 85 |
| Cause status | confirmed |
| Officially determined arson | No / not determined |
| Public settlement information | PG&E's Chapter 11 plan provided a stated $13.5 billion for fire victim claims from the 2015 Butte Fire, the 2017 Northern California wildfires and the 2018 Camp Fire, paid through the Fire Victim Trust. The Trust reports $19.57 billion awarded and $13.72 billion paid as of August 31, 2026, at a pro rata rate of 70 percent, with a final 1.25 percent distribution announced for October 14, 2026. No Camp Fire only figure is published. |
| Last verified | 2026-10-01 |
Cause
CAL FIRE announced on May 15, 2019 that the Camp Fire was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company near Pulga, and that a second ignition nearby was consumed by the first. PG&E said it accepted the determination. The Butte County District Attorney's public report places the origin beneath a tower on PG&E's Caribou-Palermo 115 kV transmission line, where a worn hook failed. On June 16, 2020 PG&E pleaded guilty in Butte County Superior Court to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully causing a fire.
What happened
The Camp Fire started at 6:33 AM on November 8, 2018 near Pulga in Butte County and reached Paradise within hours. Evacuation orders were issued that morning for Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley, and roughly 52,000 people evacuated. CAL FIRE recorded the fire as contained on November 25, 2018 at 153,336 acres, with 18,804 structures destroyed, 754 damaged and 85 deaths. It remains the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's recorded history.
Camp Fire timeline
Each entry is dated and links to the public source it comes from.
The Camp Fire starts at 6:33 AM near Pulga; evacuation orders follow for Paradise, Magalia, Concow and Butte Creek Canyon.
Source: CAL FIRE
CAL FIRE records the fire as contained at 153,336 acres.
Source: CAL FIRE
PG&E files for Chapter 11 protection, staying the Camp Fire lawsuits.
CAL FIRE announces that PG&E transmission lines near Pulga caused the fire.
Source: NPR
The bankruptcy court extends the proof of claim deadline for fire claimants to December 31, 2019.
PG&E signs the agreement providing a stated $13.5 billion for fire victim claims.
The CPUC approves $1.937 billion in penalties for the 2017 and 2018 wildfires.
PG&E pleads guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully causing a fire.
Source: Butte County District Attorney
The court imposes the maximum fine of $3.5 million.
Source: Courthouse News Service
PG&E's plan takes effect and the Fire Victim Trust is established and funded.
Source: PG&E Fire Victim Trust
Extended deadline for the Fire Victim Trust claims questionnaire.
Source: PG&E Fire Victim Trust
The Trust announces an initial pro rata payment of 30 percent.
Source: PG&E Fire Victim Trust
The Trust's pro rata payment percentage rises to 70 percent.
Source: PG&E Fire Victim Trust
The Trustee announces a final 1.25 percent distribution for October 14, 2026.
Source: PG&E Fire Victim Trust
Assembly Bill 2700, on wildfire victim restitution shortfalls, is chaptered.
Litigation status
Resolved / settled. Status as of October 1, 2026, per PG&E Fire Victim Trust.
Before PG&E's bankruptcy, the company knew of about 100 complaints on behalf of at least 4,200 plaintiffs over the Camp Fire. PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company filed for Chapter 11 protection on January 29, 2019 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, case 19-30088, which stayed those lawsuits. The reorganization plan, confirmed on June 20, 2020 and effective July 1, 2020, resolved wildfire claims in three groups for the Camp Fire, the 2017 Northern California wildfires and the 2015 Butte Fire together: $11 billion to insurers, $1 billion to public entities, and a stated $13.5 billion for fire victims, paid into the Fire Victim Trust in cash and PG&E stock. From that date those claims were channeled to the Trust. The Trust reports that all determinations have been issued; as of August 31, 2026 it had awarded $19.57 billion and paid $13.72 billion, at 70 percent of approved claim value, and the Trustee announced a final distribution of 1.25 percent on October 14, 2026, for a total of 71.25 percent. In the criminal case, PG&E pleaded guilty on June 16, 2020 in Butte County Superior Court to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully causing a fire, and on June 18, 2020 the court imposed the maximum fine of $3.5 million plus $500,000 for the District Attorney's investigation costs. On May 7, 2020 the California Public Utilities Commission approved $1.937 billion in penalties covering the 2017 Northern California wildfires and the Camp Fire, plus a $200 million fine whose payment was permanently suspended.
Resolved means that matters over this fire have been settled or closed on the public record. It says nothing about any individual situation. Dates shown for claim filing are historical facts from the court and the Trust.
Court & regulatory record
- Fire Victim Trust: payments and awards , PG&E Fire Victim Trust
- Fire Victim Trust: about the Trust and timeline , PG&E Fire Victim Trust
- Camp Fire Public Report: summary of the Camp Fire investigation (June 16, 2020) , Butte County District Attorney
- Form 10-K for fiscal year 2019: wildfire claims and Chapter 11 , PG&E Corporation, filed with the SEC (Case Bankruptcy case 19-30088)
- Form 8-K: CPUC approval of penalties for the 2017 and 2018 wildfires (May 7, 2020) , PG&E Corporation, filed with the SEC
- Assembly Bill 2700, bill status (chaptered September 30, 2026) , California Legislative Information
This is a reported public-record status, not advice about any individual’s legal situation. Deadlines and eligibility change over time and depend on facts specific to each person. If you have questions about yours, contact us and we will help.
Key figures on the public record
Each figure below was published by the court, agency, or company named beside it, on the date shown. These describe the case and the disaster, not any individual’s situation.
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 85 | CAL FIRE, September 26, 2024 |
| Structures destroyed | 18,804 | CAL FIRE, September 26, 2024 |
| Structures damaged | 754 | CAL FIRE, September 26, 2024 |
| Acres burned | 153,336 | CAL FIRE, November 25, 2018 |
| Stated value for fire victim claims, three fire groups together | $13.5 billion | PG&E Corporation Form 10-K, February 18, 2020 |
| Awarded by the Fire Victim Trust, all fires | $19.57 billion | PG&E Fire Victim Trust, August 31, 2026 |
| Paid by the Fire Victim Trust, all fires | $13.72 billion | PG&E Fire Victim Trust, August 31, 2026 |
| Pro rata payment percentage | 70 percent; final 1.25 percent announced for October 14, 2026 | PG&E Fire Victim Trust, September 10, 2026 |
| Criminal fine | $3.5 million, plus $500,000 in costs | Courthouse News Service, June 18, 2020 |
| CPUC penalties, 2017 and 2018 fires together | $1.937 billion | PG&E Corporation Form 8-K, May 7, 2020 |
In the news
Independent news coverage related to the Camp Fire. Each link opens the original public reporting.
- Oct 1, 2026‘A major win’: Newsom signs bill to facilitate full compensation for Northern California wildfire survivorsThe Mercury News
- Sep 2, 2026AB 2700 heads to Newsom to address unpaid Camp Fire restitutionKRCR
- Aug 18, 2026Camp Fire victims trust nears final payout, leaving many short of full awardsKRCR
- Sep 30, 2022Ex-PG&E execs to pay $117M to settle lawsuit over wildfiresAssociated Press, via KPBS
- Jun 18, 2020Judge Imposes Maximum Penalty on PG&E for 2018 Camp FireCourthouse News Service
- Jun 16, 2020PG&E pleads guilty to 84 deaths in 2018 California wildfireAssociated Press, via NBC Montana
- Dec 7, 2019PG&E announces $13.5 billion settlement over Northern California wildfiresKTLA 5
- Dec 3, 2019State Probe Says PG&E Missed Deadly Flaw on Line That Sparked Camp FireKQED
- May 15, 2019PG&E Transmission Lines Caused California's Deadliest Wildfire, State Officials SayNPR
Common questions about the Camp Fire
What caused the Camp Fire?
CAL FIRE announced on May 15, 2019 that the Camp Fire was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company near Pulga, and that a second ignition nearby was consumed by the first. PG&E said it accepted the determination. The Butte County District Attorney's public report places the origin beneath a tower on PG&E's Caribou-Palermo 115 kV transmission line, where a worn hook failed. On June 16, 2020 PG&E pleaded guilty in Butte County Superior Court to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully causing a fire.
Is there litigation over the Camp Fire?
Resolved / settled. Status as of October 1, 2026, per PG&E Fire Victim Trust.
What areas did the Camp Fire affect?
The Camp Fire (Butte County) affected communities including Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon, Pulga, Butte Valley.
How large was the Camp Fire?
153,336 acres, 18,804 structures destroyed, 85 fatalities, per public records as of 2026-10-01.
What caused the Camp Fire?
CAL FIRE determined that the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County, California was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company near Pulga. It announced that finding on May 15, 2019, and PG&E said it accepted it.
When did the Camp Fire start?
The Camp Fire started at 6:33 AM on November 8, 2018 near Pulga Road in Butte County, California. CAL FIRE recorded it as contained on November 25, 2018, at 153,336 acres, with 85 deaths and 18,804 structures destroyed.
How are Camp Fire claims paid?
Camp Fire claims against PG&E are paid by the Fire Victim Trust, which was created by PG&E's bankruptcy plan and took effect on July 1, 2020. The Trust also pays claims from the 2015 Butte Fire and the 2017 North Bay fires. It reports $19.57 billion awarded and $13.72 billion paid as of August 31, 2026, at 70 percent of approved claim value.
What was the Camp Fire claims deadline?
Two filing deadlines are on the public record for Camp Fire claims. The bankruptcy court set a proof of claim deadline of October 21, 2019 and extended it to December 31, 2019 for fire claimants who had not filed. The Fire Victim Trust set a claims questionnaire deadline of December 31, 2020 and extended it to February 26, 2021.
Was PG&E convicted for the Camp Fire?
Yes. PG&E pleaded guilty on June 16, 2020 in Butte County Superior Court to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully causing a fire in the Camp Fire. On June 18, 2020 the court imposed the maximum fine of $3.5 million plus $500,000 in investigation costs. No individual was charged.
Will Camp Fire victims be paid in full?
The Fire Victim Trust has paid approved claims at 70 percent of their value since October 24, 2024, and has announced a final distribution of 1.25 percent on October 14, 2026, for a total of 71.25 percent. The Trustee says there will be no further pro rata distributions. Assembly Bill 2700, chaptered September 30, 2026, directs the California Public Utilities Commission to report on restitution shortfalls.
Sources
- Camp Fire incident record, CAL FIRE
- Fire Victim Trust: payments and awards, PG&E Fire Victim Trust
- Fire Victim Trust: about the Trust and timeline, PG&E Fire Victim Trust
- Fire Victim Trust alert: claims questionnaire deadline extension, PG&E Fire Victim Trust
- Camp Fire Public Report, Butte County District Attorney
- Form 10-K for fiscal year 2019, PG&E Corporation, filed with the SEC
- Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020, PG&E Corporation, filed with the SEC
- Form 8-K, May 7, 2020, PG&E Corporation, filed with the SEC
- CPUC proposal would impose nearly $2 billion in penalties against PG&E for 2017 and 2018 wildfires, California Public Utilities Commission
- Assembly Bill 2700, bill status, California Legislative Information
- PG&E Transmission Lines Caused California's Deadliest Wildfire, State Officials Say, NPR
- Judge Imposes Maximum Penalty on PG&E for 2018 Camp Fire, Courthouse News Service
- California Wildfires: What You Need to Know, KQED
Facts on this page are drawn from the public sources listed above and rewritten in original words. See Sources & Methodology.