There was as reported in the May/June 1992 issue of National Fire Protection Association NFPA Journal, an article entitled: "Oakland Wildfire Victims File Lawsuit." The article stated: "Twenty three victims of last year's wildfire in Oakland, California have filed a $4 billion lawsuit against the City of Oakland and the East Bay Municipal Utility District, claiming both ignored warnings of wildfire danger, reports the Gate Wye, the newsletter of the Oregon fire marshal's office."

The 23 plaintiffs maintain that the city failed to take proper precautions to prevent the rekindling of a grass fire, and they accuse the utility district of not heeding warnings that an emergency water system was needed to maintain water pressure during the fires. According to the report, the plaintiffs are seeking compensation for personal injuries, lost wages, substitute and replacement housing and emotional distress. It has been determined that 70% of the fuel for the fire consisted of Eucalyptus trees, many of which were dead or dying due to a severe freeze that had taken place the year before.