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Statute of limitations — Washington
Washington: 3 years for personal injury and property damage (RCW § 4.16.080). Discovery rule applies. Government claims require filing within 60 days of injury under RCW § 4.96.020.
3 years from discovery of injury or damage
Filing venue
Where to File in Washington
Wildfire claims in Washington are filed in King County Superior Court (Seattle), Chelan County (central Washington fire zones), and Spokane County, as well as the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington federal courts. Washington follows a pure comparative fault system (RCW § 4.22.005) where plaintiff recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault but not barred at any threshold. Washington does not cap compensatory damages in negligence cases. The state's Consumer Protection Act (RCW § 19.86) may provide additional remedies including treble damages for utility conduct that constitutes unfair or deceptive practices. Eastern Washington's dry climate and interface development make Chelan and Spokane counties frequent wildfire venues.
Washington data
Exposure in Washington
The September 2022 Bolt Creek Fire burned nearly 15,000 acres along U.S. Route 2 in King and Snohomish Counties, causing evacuations and damaging structures. Investigation examined potential utility infrastructure involvement.
Bolt Creek Fire 2022
Source: Washington DNR / King County Emergency Management
Washington's 2020 wildfire season produced over $100 million in insured losses, concentrated in Okanogan, Chelan, and Spokane Counties where utility-ignited fires destroyed residential and agricultural properties.
$100M+ insured losses (2020)
Source: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Washington has approximately 2.1 million homes in the wildland-urban interface, with continued development in fire-prone areas east of the Cascades increasing the population at risk from utility-ignited wildfires.
Growing WUI development
Source: USFS Wildland-Urban Interface Assessment
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