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2024 California wildfires

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2024 California wildfires
An aerial view of the smoke plume emitted by the Lake Fire on July 7, 2024
Statistics[1][2]
Total fires7,934[1]
Total area1,049,452 acres (424,698 ha)[1]
Impacts
Deaths1[2]
Non-fatal injuries17+
Structures destroyed1,680 (397 damaged)[2]
Season
← 2023
2025 →

The 2024 California wildfire season is an ongoing series of wildfires that have been burning throughout the U.S. state of California. As of December 13, 2024, a total of 7,934 wildfires have burned a cumulative 1,049,452 acres (424,698 ha). Year-to-date, the number of wildfires and the number of acres burned are higher than the five-year average.[3] Wildfires have destroyed 1,680 structures and killed one person in the state in 2024. This season has had the most burned acres since the the 2021 season.

Background

The timing of "fire season" in California is variable, depending on the amount of prior winter and spring precipitation, the frequency and severity of weather such as heat waves and wind events, and moisture content in vegetation. Northern California typically sees wildfire activity between late spring and early fall, peaking in the summer with hotter and drier conditions. Occasional cold frontal passages can bring wind and lightning. The timing of fire season in Southern California is similar, peaking between late spring and fall. The severity and duration of peak activity in either part of the state is modulated in part by weather events: downslope/offshore wind events can lead to critical fire weather, while onshore flow and Pacific weather systems can bring conditions that hamper wildfire growth.[4][5]

Summary

False-color view of the burned area and smoke from the Park Fire in Northern California, viewed from the Landsat 9 satellite on July 27, 2024

By the end of spring (June 20), the total area burned by wildfires in California was nearly 90,000 acres (36,000 ha). This early spike in activity was primarily from wind-driven grass fires, more than 30 of which occurred on several days in mid-June with low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds.[5]

The first and only wildfire fatality of the year in California occurred on July 8, when the Mina Fire burned a home.[6]

During late July, the total area burned during the 2024 wildfire season saw significant growth due in part to long periods of hot, dry weather. These conditions allowed several fires to grow rapidly in size, such as the Park Fire, in Butte and Tehama counties, and the Borel Fire, in Sequoia National Forest. By July 29, more than 726,000 acres (294,000 ha) had burned across the state.[7]

Fire activity decreased during August, but a long period of extreme heat across the Western United States during early September allowed numerous wildfires across the state to grow rapidly, such as the Line Fire, the Bridge Fire, and the Airport Fire in Southern California. Later in September, fire activity again decreased due to improved fire weather.[8]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that have burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.

Name County Acres Start date Containment date Notes Ref.
School Kern 1,479 May 2 May 3 [9]
Roberts Monterey 7,030 May 17 May 25 Burned in Camp Roberts. [10]
Hill Santa Barbara 1,383 May 28 June 1 [11]
Firebaugh Madera 1,300 May 30 May 30 [12]
Corral San Joaquin 14,168 June 1 June 6 Destroyed one home and injured two firefighters. Prompted highway closures and evacuation orders near Tracy. [13][14]
West Kern 1,575 June 2 June 6 [15]
Road Kern 1,088 June 4 June 6 [16]
Lost Kern 3,600 June 6 June 11 [17]
Bear San Luis Obispo 1,410 June 12 June 14 [18]
Junes Butte 1,056 June 15 June 18 Destroyed one structure. [19]
Post Los Angeles, Ventura 15,563 June 15 June 26 Began near Gorman, burned parallel to Interstate 5; caused the evacuation of ~1,200 people in nearby recreation areas. Destroyed one structure, injured one person. [20][21]
Hesperia San Bernardino 1,078 June 15 June 24 [22]
Point Sonoma 1,207 June 16 June 24 Prompted evacuations of some 400 residents northwest of Dry Creek Valley. Caused one injury and destroyed three structures. [23]
Sites Colusa 19,195 June 17 June 25 [24][25]
Aero Calaveras 5,285 June 17 June 27 Caused evacuations in both Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, damaged one structure and destroyed three. [26][27]
Apache Butte 691 June 24 June 29 Prompted evacuations in Butte County. A firefighter was injured, and the fire destroyed 14 structures and damaged two. [28]
Fresno June Lightning Complex Fresno 10,616 June 24 July 6 Consisted of the Flash, Bolt, Hog, and other fires. Ignited by lightning. Destroyed one structure. [29]
Basin Fresno 14,023 June 26 July 20 Prompted evacuations in the Kirch Flat Campground and Balch Camp area. [30][31][32]
Mccain San Diego 1,595 July 1 July 10 Prompted evacuations near Jacumba and caused one civilian injury. [33]
Thompson Butte 3,789 July 2 July 8 Caused evacuations in parts of Oroville and Kelly Ridge. Destroyed 26 structures, damaged eight. Two people were injured. Started by arson. [34][35]
Airline San Benito 1,295 July 2 July 5 Caused one injury. [36]
Shelly Siskiyou 15,520 July 3 August 6 Eight firefighters were injured. [37][38]
Olive Kern 1,310 July 3 July 5 [39]
French Mariposa 908 July 4 July 13 Destroyed 11 structures, damaged seven, and caused four injuries. [40]
Lake Santa Barbara 38,664 July 5 August 4 Destroyed four structures, damaged one, and injured seven firefighters. [41][42]
North Modoc 4,685 July 7 July 14 [43]
Vista San Bernardino 2,936 July 7 August 17 Caused the evacuation of the Mt. Baldy ski resort [44][45]
Mina Mendocino 98 July 8 July 21 Resulted in one fatality and destroyed two structures. [46]
Hurricane San Luis Obispo, Kern 12,703 July 13 July 17 [47]
White Kern 5,646 July 13 July 26 [48]
SQF Lightning Complex Tulare 33,026 July 13 September 17 Contained the Trout and Long fires. The Trout and Long fires burned within the Domeland Wilderness. [49][50][51]
Rancho Kern 9,950 July 13 July 26 [52]
Rim Lassen 1,025 July 13 July 23 [53]
Lost Hills Kern 4,032 July 14 July 15 Crossed over and shut down a portion of Interstate 5 near Lost Hills. [54][55][56]
Hill Humboldt 7,224 July 15 August 14 Caused 5 injuries [57][58]
Happy Fresno 12,543 July 16 November 15 Burned in the Monarch Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. Started by lightning. [59]
Ridge Lake, Colusa 2,756 July 20 July 29 [60]
Eagle Riverside 1,710 July 21 July 23 [61]
Hawarden Riverside 527 July 21 July 25 Destroyed seven homes and damaged eighteen more in Riverside. Started by fireworks. [62][63][64][65]
Gold Complex Plumas 3,007 July 22 August 4 Comprised the Smith and Mill fires. [66][67][68]
Metz Monterey 1,100 July 23 July 25 [69]
Apache Ventura 1,538 July 23 August 3 [70]
Borel Kern 59,288 July 24 September 15 Destroyed 223 structures and damaged 29. Prompted evacuations in Kern County and destroyed the historic community of Havilah. [71][72][73][74]
Park Butte, Tehama 429,603 July 24 September 26 Fourth largest wildfire in California history. Destroyed 709 structures and damaged 54, including parts of the community of Cohasset, California. Started by arson. [75]
San Clemente Island Los Angeles 13,000 July 24 July 30 Burned more than one-third of San Clemente Island, damaging electrical infrastructure for the naval base there. [76]
Nixon Riverside, San Diego 5,222 July 29 August 7 Forced evacuations near Anza. Destroyed 23 structures and damaged three. Human caused. [77][78]
Pedro Mariposa, Tuolumne 3,815 July 30 August 8 Destroyed two structures. [79]
Coffee Pot Tulare 14,104 August 3 December 16 Burned in Sequoia National Park. Injured three firefighters. Started by lightning. [80]
Edgehill San Bernardino 54 August 5 August 7 Destroyed six structures and damaged three. [81]
Crozier El Dorado 1,938 August 6 August 20 [82][83]
Boise Humboldt, Siskiyou 12,967 August 9 September 20 Burned in Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests. [84]

[85]

Bear Sierra 3,323 September 2 September 19 [86]
Boone Fresno, Monterey 17,600 September 3 September 13 Prompted evacuations in Fresno and Monterey Counties. [87]
Chimineas San Luis Obispo 1,200 September 4 September 10 [88]
Line San Bernardino 43,978 September 5
99% contained
 Prompted evacuation orders in parts of Highland and the entire community of Running Springs. Destroyed one structure and injured six firefighters. Started by arson. [89]
Roblar San Diego 1,000 September 7 September 11 Burned in Camp Pendleton. [90]
Boyles Lake 81 September 8 September 11 Destroyed 33 residential structures and 80 vehicles in Clearlake. [91]
Bridge Los Angeles, San Bernardino 56,030 September 8 November 26 Burned in the Angeles National Forest. Prompted evacuation orders for Wrightwood and Mount Baldy Village. Destroyed 81 structures and injured eight firefighters. Cause under investigation. [92]
Airport Orange, Riverside 23,526 September 9 October 5 Began in Trabuco Canyon. Evacuations were along Ortega Highway and in surrounding areas. Destroyed 160 structures. Two civilians and 20 firefighters were injured. Started by equipment use. [93]
Shoe Shasta 5,124 October 9 November 8 Burned in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Injured one firefighter. Human-caused. [94]
Gabilan Monterey 1,200 October 22 October 23 Burned in Fort Hunter Liggett. [95]
Horseshoe Inyo 4,537 October 30 December 12 Began in Inyo National Forest. Was declared contained on November 14 before reigniting under strong winds late November 22. Destroyed two homes and six outbuildings. [96][97]
Mountain Ventura 19,904 November 6 November 27 Destroyed 243 structures and damaged 127 near Camarillo. Injured five civilians and one firefighter. [98][99][100]
Franklin Los Angeles 4,037 December 9 December 18 Destroyed 20 structures and damaged 28 in Malibu. [101][102]
Map
Perimeters of 2024 California wildfires (map data)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "2024 Incident Archive". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Current Emergency Incidents". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "Statistics". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "Weather: Fire Season Climatology (Northern California)". National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Toohey, Grace (June 22, 2024). "California wildfires have already burned 90,000 acres, and summer is just beginning". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Har, Janie; Yamat, Rio (July 12, 2024). "California fire officials report first wildfire death of the 2024 season". NBC News. Associated Press. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Romero, Dennis; Alsharif, Mirna; Prociv, Kathryn (July 29, 2024). "More than 726,000 acres burned as wildfires rage in California". NBC News. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  8. ^ Garcia, Eugene; Rodriguez, Olga (September 9, 2024). "Thousands evacuate as wildfires rage outside Los Angeles and Reno, Nevada". Associated Press. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "School Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  10. ^ "Roberts Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  11. ^ "Hill Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  12. ^ "Firebaugh Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  13. ^ "Corral Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  14. ^ "Containment on Corral Fire increases; evacuations lifted after more than 14,000 acres burned". CBS News. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "West Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  16. ^ "Road Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  17. ^ "Lost Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Bear Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "Junes Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  20. ^ "Post Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  21. ^ Curwen, Thomas (June 16, 2024). "Post fire near Gorman burns 11,000 acres, prompts evacuations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  22. ^ "Hesperia Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  23. ^ "Point Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  24. ^ "Sites Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  25. ^ "Sites Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  26. ^ "Aero Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  27. ^ "Aero Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  28. ^ "Apache Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  29. ^ "Fresno June Lightning Complex". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  30. ^ "Basin Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  31. ^ "Basin Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  32. ^ "Basin Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  33. ^ "Mccain Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  34. ^ "Thompson Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  35. ^ "Thompson Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  36. ^ "Airline Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  37. ^ "Shelly Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  38. ^ "Shelly Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  39. ^ "Olive Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  40. ^ "French Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  41. ^ "Lake Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  42. ^ "Lake Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  43. ^ "North Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  44. ^ "Vista Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  45. ^ "Vista Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  46. ^ "Mina Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  47. ^ "Hurricane Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  48. ^ "White Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  49. ^ "2024 SQF Lightning Complex". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  50. ^ "Trout Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  51. ^ "Long Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  52. ^ "Rancho Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  53. ^ "Rim Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  54. ^ "Lost Hills Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  55. ^ "Lost Hills Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  56. ^ "Incident Report: Lost Hills Incident - Vegetation Fire". Kern County Fire Department. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  57. ^ "Hill Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  58. ^ "Hill Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  59. ^ "Happy Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  60. ^ "Ridge Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  61. ^ "Eagle Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  62. ^ "Hawarden Fire: Riverside brush fire destroys 3 homes". abc7.com. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  63. ^ Hubbard, Amy (July 21, 2024). "Riverside wildfire guts homes; officials say suspects who lit fireworks were seen on camera". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  64. ^ "Hawarden Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  65. ^ "Hawarden Incident: Information for Riverside Residents | riversideca.gov". www.riversideca.gov. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  66. ^ "Gold Complex". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  67. ^ "Mill Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  68. ^ "Smith Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  69. ^ "Metz Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  70. ^ "Apache Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  71. ^ "Borel Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  72. ^ "Borel Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  73. ^ "Borel Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  74. ^ "National Fire Situational Awareness".
  75. ^ "Park Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  76. ^ Briscoe, Tony (September 4, 2024). "Wildfire damages Navy base on remote California island; live fire suspected". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  77. ^ "Nixon Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  78. ^ "Nixon Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  79. ^ "Pedro Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  80. ^ "Coffee Pot Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  81. ^ "Edgehill Fire destroys homes in San Bernardino County as temps soar in California". nbcnews.com. NBC News. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  82. ^ Ayestas, Jonathan (August 8, 2024). "Crozier Fire Updates: Evacuations expand for El Dorado County wildfire as it continues to spread". KCRA.
  83. ^ "Crozier Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  84. ^ "Boise Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  85. ^ "Boise Fire". app.watchduty.org. Watch Duty. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  86. ^ "Bear Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  87. ^ "Boone Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  88. ^ "Chimineas Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  89. ^ "Line Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  90. ^ "Roblar Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  91. ^ "Boyles Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  92. ^ "Bridge Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  93. ^ "Airport Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  94. ^ "Shoe Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  95. ^ "Gabilan Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  96. ^ "Horseshoe Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  97. ^ "Cainf Horseshoe Fire Information". www.inciweb.wildfire.gov. InciWeb. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  98. ^ "Mountain Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  99. ^ Fioresi, Dean (November 6, 2024). "Mountain Fire in Moorpark fueled by strong winds amid Red Flag warnings in California". CBS News. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  100. ^ "Getting Close To Full Containment Of The Mountain Fire » News Talk 1590 KVTA". www.kvta.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  101. ^ "Franklin Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  102. ^ "Franklin Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
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