Calif. farmer sues over fireworks blast that destroyed crops

A Knights Landing-based farm is taking legal action after the July 1 “Oakdale Fire,” a deadly fireworks explosion south of Esparto that is reported to have leveled crops, razed equipment, and claimed seven lives.

In a civil complaint filed in Yolo County Superior Court, Etta James Farming LLC alleges negligence and other claims against several entities and individuals they say were responsible for the disaster.

According to the lawsuit, the blaze erupted after a series of massive explosions at a fireworks warehouse near County Roads 23 and 86A in Esparto, which the lawsuit describes as the site of “an unlawful and unpermitted commercial-grade fireworks operation.” The facility was allegedly used to store and sell illegal fireworks to the public, a practice that, according to the plaintiffs, had been ongoing for years with reckless disregard for safety protocols.

“Among other things, as a result of Defendants’ carelessness and financial self-interest, Defendants failed to follow required safety protocols … including the use of explosive materials and related equipment that was not properly stored, maintained, inspected or approved,” the lawsuit states.

According to Etta James Farming, the Oakdale Fire destroyed 24 acres of wheat, 50 acres of Canario beans, and significant infrastructure, resulting in business losses, environmental damage, and ongoing economic distress.

“This is not a major corporate farming operation,” said Christopher Rodriguez, an attorney with Singleton Schreiber LLP representing Etta James Farming. “This is an area where most farms are owned by people who make their living by farming, and if crops don’t come through one year, that has a major impact on them and their families.”

The lawsuit states that defendants prioritized “profits over safety,” and that their conduct constituted oppression, fraud, or malice, meriting punitive damages under California Civil Code section 3294.

“There’s a concept in the law called res ipsa loquitur — the incident speaks for itself,” said Rodriguez. “You don’t get a devastating explosion like this where there are appropriate procedures in place.”



The California State Fire Marshal’s Office, Cal/OSHA, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. Last week, Cal Fire suspended the state pyrotechnics licenses of Chee and Cutright.

Meanwhile, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors is requesting the California Attorney General’s Office to take over the criminal investigation, citing potential conflicts of interest due to local law enforcement’s ties to the explosion site.

“It is our strong belief that the public perception and integrity of the investigation… would be best served by the direct involvement of the Department of Justice,” wrote Board Chair Mary Vixie Sandy in a letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta.

While the Etta James Farming lawsuit is the first, attorneys for the families of the deceased workers, including Jesus Ramos and Jhony Ramos Jr., say they are preparing wrongful-death claims of their own. Public outcry continues to grow as the community seeks accountability and transparency.

The civil case — CV2025-2088 — is assigned to Judge Samuel McAdam, with a case management conference scheduled for Nov. 17, 2025.