Fireworks Companies Settle El Dorado Fire Claims for $4 Million Over 2020 Gender-Reveal Blaze
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
Fireworks Companies Settle El Dorado Fire Claims for $4 Million Over 2020 Gender-Reveal Blaze
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
Summary
$4 million-plus will be paid by Wholesale Fireworks Corp and American Fireworks Wholesale LLC, with Pink or Blue Gender Team adding $50,000, to resolve U.S. Forest Service civil claims.
Federal prosecutors said the companies sold smoke bombs that were illegal in California and lacked adequate fire warnings; the device ignited dry grass during a Sept. 5, 2020 gender-reveal photo shoot.
The El Dorado fire burned 22,744 acres, destroyed nine structures and more than a dozen outbuildings, caused over $41 million in estimated damage, and killed Forest Service firefighter Charles Morton, 39.
The settlement closes a case that already brought criminal penalties for the couple who set off the device in 2020; they pleaded guilty in 2024 and were ordered to pay nearly $1.8 million in restitution.
The blaze became one of several disastrous gender-reveal incidents in the U.S., underscoring how increasingly elaborate stunts have led to deaths, injuries and major wildfires.