LOS ANGELES — An Ohio-based smoke bomb designer and importer and two other companies have agreed to pay more than $4 million to settle a federal lawsuit seeking damages from the 2020 El Dorado Fire, which was ignited during a gender reveal party, burned nearly 23,000 acres in the Inland Empire, and resulted in the death of a firefighter, officials announced this week.
Wholesale Fireworks Corp., based in Hubbard, Ohio, and its subsidiary, American Fireworks Wholesale LLC, agreed to pay $4 million to resolve claims brought on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service.
A third defendant, Pink or Blue Gender Team Inc., a Florida-based company, agreed to pay $50,000 to settle related claims.
Quick Facts
- Settlement amount: More than $4 million
- Fire: El Dorado Fire
- Date ignited: Sept. 5, 2020
- Location: Yucaipa, California
- Acres burned: 22,744
- Structures damaged or destroyed: 24
- Fatalities: One firefighter killed
- Federal agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Defendants: Wholesale Fireworks Corp., American Fireworks Wholesale LLC, and Pink or Blue Gender Team Inc.
- Cause: Smoke bomb used during a gender reveal party
The El Dorado Fire was ignited Sept. 5, 2020, when a pyrotechnic device used during a gender reveal celebration at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa set dry vegetation ablaze. The wildfire spread into the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area of the San Bernardino National Forest, according to officials.
The blaze ultimately burned 22,744 acres, damaged or destroyed nine structures and 15 outbuildings, and claimed the life of a firefighter.
The couple who hosted the gender reveal party later pleaded guilty to criminal charges in San Bernardino County Superior Court.
In September 2023, the United States filed suit against the three companies to recover Forest Service firefighting costs and damages to federal lands caused by the wildfire.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants were responsible because the fire was sparked by a gender reveal smoke bomb that Wholesale Fireworks and American Fireworks Wholesale allegedly designed, imported, distributed, marketed, and advertised, while Pink or Blue allegedly distributed, marketed, and advertised the product.
Federal officials further alleged the companies failed to safely design and label the smoke bombs and failed to adequately warn consumers about the significant wildfire risk posed by the devices despite being aware of those dangers.
The lawsuit also alleged the smoke bombs should never have been sold in California, where such devices are illegal.
The settlement resolves the United States’ claims against the companies but does not constitute an admission of liability.