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2009 California wildfires

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Template:Infobox California wildfires The 2009 California wildfires were a series of 8,291 wildfires that were active in the state of California, USA, during the year 2009.[1] The fires burned more than 404,601 acres (632 sq mi; 1,637 km2) of land from early February through late November, due to Red Flag conditions, destroying hundreds of structures, injuring 134 people, and killing two.[2] The wildfires also caused at least $134.48 million (2009 USD) in damage. Although the fires burned many different regions of California in August, the month was especially notable for several very large fires which burned in Southern California, despite being outside of the normal fire season for that region.

The Station Fire, north of Los Angeles, was the largest and deadliest of these wildfires. It began in late August, and resulted in the devastation of 160,577 acres (251 sq mi; 650 km2) of land as well as the death of two firefighters. Another large fire was the La Brea Fire, which burned nearly 90,000 acres (141 sq mi; 364 km2) in Santa Barbara County earlier in the month. A state of emergency was also declared for the 7,800 acres (12 sq mi; 32 km2) Lockheed Fire in Santa Cruz County to the north.

Fires

Below is a list of all fires that exceeded 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) during the 2009 fire season.[3] The list is taken from CAL FIREs list of large fires".

Name County Acres Km2 Start Date Contained Date Notes
Oak Glen III San Bernardino 1,159 4.7 30 August 2009 8 September 2009
Bryson Monterey 3,383 13.7 26 August 2009 29 August 2009
Gloria Monterey 6,437 26.0 27 August 2009 1 September 2009
Lockheed Santa Cruz 7,817 31.6 12 August 2009 23 August 2009 13 structures destroyed
Oasis Lake 1,500 6.1 7 September 2009 12 September 2009
Yuba Yuba 3,891 15.7 14 August 2009 24 August 2009
Explosive San Joaquin 2,163 8.8 19 June 2009 19 June 2009
Corral San Joaquin 12,200 49.4 13 August 2009 16 August 2009
Pacheco Santa Clara 1,600 6.5 29 August 2009 30 August 2009
Chalk (Shu Complex) Shasta 6,895 27.9 3 August 2009 16 August 2009
Goose (Shu Complex) Shasta 3,918 15.9 3 August 2009 17 August 2009
Cassel (Shu Complex) Shasta 6,319 25.6 3 August 2009 14 August 2009
Coffin Trinity 1,300 5.3 12 August 2009 15 August 2009
Guiberson Ventura 17,500 70.8 22 September 2009 1 October 2009
Morris Los Angeles 2,168 8.8 25 August 2009 3 September 2009
Station Los Angeles 160,577 649.8 26 August 2009 16 October 2009 209 Structures destroyed, 2 firefighter deaths
Cottonwood Riverside 2,409 9.7 27 August 2009 31 August 2009
Sheep San Bernardino 7,128 28.8 3 October 2009 10 October 2009
Mill Creek #4 Humboldt 2,750 11.1 7 October 2009 17 October 2009
Fork Inyo 3,268 13.2 18 July 2009 27 July 2009
Tennant Siskiyou 3,225 13.1 19 July 2009 27 July 2009
Red Rock Siskiyou 1,364 5.5 21 August 2009 4 September 2009
Hat Creek Complex Shasta 11,269 45.6 1 August 2009 12 August 2009
Brown Shasta 1,000 4.0 2 August 2009 12 August 2009
Fairfield Shasta 1,664 6.7 2 August 2009 21 August 2009
Six Yolo 1,235 5.0 1 October 2009 1 October 2009
Jesusita Santa Barbara 8,733 35.3 5 May 2009 20 May 2009 160 structures destroyed
La Brea Santa Barbara 89,489 362.1 8 August 2009 23 August 2009
Yankee San Diego 2,200 8.9 11 July 2009 14 July 2009
W-4 Lassen 1,500 6.1 1 August 2009 7 August 2009
Dodge Complex Lassen 1,600 6.5 1 August 2009 3 August 2009
Lion Complex Tulare 3,988 16.1 30 June 2009 21 August 2009
Backbone Trinity 6,324 25.6 1 July 2009 24 July 2009 1 fatality
Knight Tuolumne 6,130 24.8 26 July 2009 11 August 2009
Grouse Mariposa 3,047 12.3 30 May 2009 13 July 2009
Harden Tuolumne 1,661 6.7 8 June 2009 11 July 2009
Wildcat Tuolumne 1,100 4.5 29 July 2009 31 August 2009
Big Meadows Mariposa 7,425 30.0 26 August 2009 10 September 2009

Conditions

Pyrocumulus cloud from the Station Fire towers over the skyline of downtown Los Angeles, California.

Invasive, non-native vegetation dies and re-sprouts year after year creating an unnatural buildup of dead plant material.[4] While periodic fires are natural, and many native plants depend upon fire to reproduce;[5] the intensity and frequency of these fires is altered by the presence of non-natives.[4]

In Southern California, the normal wildfire season begins in October with the arrival of the infamous Santa Ana winds, and it is unusual to see fires spread so rapidly at other times of year. However, temperatures throughout the southern part of the state exceeded 100 °F (38 °C) for much of late August. The combination of high temperatures, low humidity and a large quantity of tinder-dry fuel, some of which had not burnt for decades, allowed some of the normal fires to quickly explode out of control despite the lack of winds to spread the flames. These conditions, along with extreme terrain in many undeveloped areas that slowed access to burn areas, made firefighting difficult.

2009 California Wildfires at NASA/JPL showing the tinder-dry fuel being quickly consumed and aerial firefighting efforts to stop the blaze.

Notable fires

Picture of Los Angeles fires in August 2009. Photo was taken from Universal Studios Hollywood.

Dozens of fires burned throughout California in August 2009. Some of the most notable are listed here.

Northern California

Alameda County

Mariposa County

Progression of the Big Meadow Fire between August 26 and September 5, 2009. Map courtesy of the United States Forest Service.
  • The Big Meadow Fire began on August 26 in Big Meadow, two miles (3 km) east of El Portal, just inside Yosemite National Park. As of September 4, this fire has burned 7,425 acres (12 sq mi; 30 km2) in the Mariposa County section of Yosemite, resulting in the closure of several trails, campgrounds and the portion of State Highway 120 known as Tioga Road. The community of Foresta was evacuated but residents were allowed to return on September 4. The Big Meadow Fire is 96% contained as of September 6, with full containment expected by September 10.[8] This blaze was the result of a prescribed burn gone out of control, leading some to question the judgment of Park authorities.[9]

Placer County

  • The Mammoth Fire started on July 16 and burned 643 acres (3 km2) in the American River Canyon and Mammoth Bar Recreation Area east of Auburn before it was contained on July 18.[10] The fire closed the Foresthill Bridge, the highest bridge in California, for 2 days. It took 358 firefighters, 24 engines, and a helicopter to put out. The cause was undetermined as of July 18, 2009.[10]
  • The Foresthill Fire started on August 27 and burned 30 acres (120,000 m2) along the American River Canyon near the Foresthill Bridge before it was contained on August 28. This fire is close to the location of the Mammoth Fire.[11] The fire took over 100 firefighters, 10 engines, 3 airtankers (planes), and 2 helicopters to extinguish. The cause was undetermined as of August 28, 2009.[11]
  • The 49 Fire was a small but very destructive fire that began on August 30 and was fully contained by CalFire on September 1. Although it burned only 343 acres (0.5 sq mi; 1.4 km2), it destroyed 63 homes and 3 commercial structures in the unincorporated area of North Auburn in Placer County. The fire extensively damaged 3 more homes and 6 more businesses.[12] The fire began along the east side of Highway 49, which led to the name 49 Fire. The fire quickly spread north and east.[13] The fire spread so quickly that some residents barely escaped their burning homes.[14] Auburn Municipal Airport was closed during the fire, which burned right up to the runway.[13] The fire's cause is arson.[citation needed] The arsonist lit a second fire just east of the original fire 20 minutes after the first fire.[citation needed] This added to the destruction and fire spread.[15][16] This was the second fire to burn the area in 5 years.[14]

Santa Cruz/Monterey/San Benito Counties

  • The Lockheed Fire began on August 12 near the Lockheed Martin Space Systems campus in Santa Cruz County.[17][18] A total of 7,817 acres (12 sq mi; 32 km2) burned and thirteen structures were destroyed, including four seasonal cabins but no primary residences. No cause has been identified.[19] The communities of Swanton and Bonny Doon were evacuated and a state of emergency was declared by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi on August 14.[20] State fire crews achieved 100% containment on August 23, at a cost of US$26.6 million.[19] Many hillsides burned by the Lockheed Fire had not burned since 1948 due to active fire suppression in the area. Some plant species endemic to the area, including the endangered Santa Cruz manzanita, propagate only after fire, potentially allowing these rare species to proliferate for the first time in decades.[21]
  • The Bryson Fire started from a mobile home fire on Bryson-Hesperia Road in the Monterey County town of Lockwood. It burned 3,383 acres (5 sq mi; 14 km2) and five structures, including three homes, between August 26 and August 28.[22][23]
  • The Gloria Fire began on August 27 along Camphora Gloria Road near the town of Soledad. It burned 6,437 acres (10 sq mi; 26 km2) in Monterey and San Benito counties, destroying a house and another structure before CalFire contained it on August 31 at a cost of US$4 million.[24] The fire was set off by fireworks used to scare away birds outside of a winery and a criminal investigation is underway to determine who is responsible.[25]
  • The Loma Fire (October 25–27), 485 acres (0.758 sq mi; 1.96 km2) (initially reported as 600 acres) began near Loma Prieta Way in Santa Clara County and spread to the Santa Cruz County area of Maymens Flat – Highland Road, Eureka Canyon and Ormsby. One residence destroyed with 160 structures threatened and evacuations in place for north Ormsby Cutoff until October 26. 1,742 firefighters with 4 injuries reported; cost $2.7 million.[26] High winds contributed to the spread in the Summit area of the Santa Cruz Mountains in an area which had 6 inches (150 mm) of rain on October 13.[27][28]

Yuba County

  • The Yuba Fire was started after a red-tailed hawk flew into a power line on August 14, and burned 3,891 acres (6 sq mi; 16 km2) before being contained on August 21 at a cost of US$12.1 million. Two residences in Yuba County burned and power lines transporting electricity from a hydroelectric facility were threatened.[29][30]

Other counties

August fires also struck areas of Colusa, Lassen, Plumas, Santa Clara, Shasta, Siskiyou and Solano counties.

Southern California

Los Angeles County

  • The Morris Fire (August 25 – September 3, 2,168 acres (3 sq mi; 9 km2)) began near Morris Dam in the Angeles National Forest.[31] This fire is thought to have been caused by arson.[32]

San Bernardino County

  • The Sheep Fire (October 3–10, 7,128 acres (11.1 sq mi; 28.8 km2)) started near Sheep Canyon Road near Lytle Creek east of Mount Baldy and west of the Cajon Pass in the San Gabriel Mountains. Mandatory evacuations were in place for all Wrightwood residents October 4–6; the fireline held at 0.3-mile (480 m) from Wrightwood homes. Five structures had been destroyed in the Lone Pine and Swarthout Canyon areas including one residence. Eight firefighters have been injured but no fatalities have been reported.[37] Below-freezing temperatures in the mountain areas helped fire crews in containment on October 6.[38] Suppression costs as of 9 October 2009: $7,977,000.[39]

Santa Barbara County

  • The Jesusita Fire was a wildfire that began at approximately 1:45 PM on May 5, 2009 in the hills of Santa Barbara, California. The fire burned 8,733 acres (35.34 km2), destroyed 80 homes and damaged 15 more before being 100% contained.[40]
Progression of the La Brea Fire through August 20, along with outlines of the Zaca Fire (2007) and Wellman Fire (1966). Map courtesy of the United States Forest Service.
  • The La Brea Fire began near La Brea Creek in Santa Barbara County, inside of Los Padres National Forest.[41] The fire burned 89,489 acres (140 sq mi; 362 km2) of chaparral between August 8 and August 22, but only destroyed two structures—a cabin and an unused ranger station.[42] The huge Zaca Fire burned in the same region in 2007, and some of the same fire lines were used to contain the La Brea Fire.[43] A propane stove at an illegal marijuana plantation inside the National Forest is believed to have ignited the fire. The plantation held approximately 30,000 marijuana plants, worth an estimated US$90 million. Prior to the blaze, seventeen other plantations hidden in the forest had been discovered by authorities, who destroyed more than 225,000 plants worth over US$675 million. No suspects were captured at the site, but investigators did find an AK-47 assault rifle, and warned the public that the suspects could be armed and dangerous.[44]

Ventura County

The Guiberson fire in Ventura County has burnt an estimated 8,500 acres (34 km2), destroying two outbuildings and injuring two firefighters. Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency. The fire, which started between Fillmore and Moorpark, has caused the evacuation of almost 600 homes in Meridian Hills and Bardsdale; about 1,000 structures were threatened, in addition to oil pipelines in the area. On September 27, the Guiberson Fire was 100% contained, after burning approximately 17,500 acres (71 km2). The cause of the fire is still unknown.[45]

Other counties

Smaller fires also broke out in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in August.

References

  1. ^ Current Fire Information. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Accessed October 29, 2009.
  2. ^ "Wildfire spreads along 241 toll road just east of Anaheim Hills [Updated]". Los Angeles Times. November 24, 2009. Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Large Fires 2009" (PDF). CAL FIRE. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L. (2008). "Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants". [United States Forest Service]. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  5. ^ Ainsworth, Jack; Doss, Troy Alan (1995). "Natural History of Fire & Flood Cycles". California Coastal Commission. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  6. ^ "Corral Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 18, 2009. Archived from the original on August 24, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Salonga, Robert. (August 17, 2009). "Corral fire fully contained after burning 12,500 acres". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  8. ^ "Big Meadow Wildfire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). September 4, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  9. ^ "A Note From Yosemite's Superintendent". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). August 29, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  10. ^ a b CalFIRE (July 18, 2009). "Mammoth Fire Fire Incident Information". Archived from the original on September 15, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b CalFIRE (August 28, 2009). "Foresthill Fire Fire Incident Information". Archived from the original on August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Forty Nine (49) Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b Placer County Community Development Department. "Aerial photo & map of 49 Fire". Archived from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) (map)
  14. ^ a b "Fox40 News: Couple Tours Their Burned Out Home". Sacramento: Fox 40 KTXL. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
  15. ^ Thomas, Ayesha; Johnson, C. (September 1, 2009). "Firefighters Fully Contain the 49 Fire". KXTV (ABC Channel 10). Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  16. ^ Kellar, Liz; Kleist, Trina; Moller, Dave (August 31, 2009), "Auburn blaze: arson possible", The Union, Grass Valley, California, retrieved August 31, 2009
  17. ^ Gabbert, Bill (August 13, 2009). "Lockheed fire near Santa Cruz, CA". Wildfire Today. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  18. ^ Squires, Jennifer; Jones, Donna; Alexander, Kurtis; Kelly, Cathy; Bookwalter, Genevieve; Walsh, Austin (August 13, 2009). "Lockheed Fire update: No containment; Bonny Doon evacuated; McCrary home saved". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b "Lockheed Fire Incident Information". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 23, 2009. Archived from the original on September 7, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "State of Emergency As Lockheed Fire Rages". KPIX-TV (CBS Channel 5). August 14, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  21. ^ Bookwalter, Genevieve (August 19, 2009). "Scientists excited about new rare plants: recent flames could prompt explosion of manzanita species found nowhere else". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  22. ^ "Bryson Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 28, 2009. Archived from the original on September 17, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Firefighters battling fierce heat, dry fuels in 4,000-acre Bryson Fire". KSBY-TV (NBC Channel 6). August 28, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  24. ^ "Gloria Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 31, 2009. Archived from the original on August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Solana, Kimber. (September 1, 2009). "CAL FIRE investigators focus on vineyard as cause of Gloria Fire near Soledad". The Californian. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  26. ^ Loma Fire Incident Information. CAL FIRE. Accessed October 28, 2009
  27. ^ 600-acre Loma Fire now 20 percent contained. Santa Cruz Sentinel. October 25, 2009.
  28. ^ NOAA-17 satellite image of Loma Fire. hi res
  29. ^ "Yuba Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 23, 2009. Archived from the original on August 23, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Grigsby, Jared. (August 16, 2009). "Difficult terrain works against Calif. fire crews". Associated Press. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  31. ^ "Morris Fire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). September 3, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  32. ^ "Morris Fire was arson, official says". Pasadena Star-News. August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  33. ^ Station Fire Update Sept. 27, 2009. InciWeb. Accessed September 28, 2009. Archived September 30, 2009.
  34. ^ "New fire breaks out near Angeles Crest Highway; forces road closure". Pasadena Star-News. August 26, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  35. ^ "Station Fire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). September 4, 2009. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "Firefighters Killed in 'Station Fire' Remembered". KTLA-TV (Channel 5). September 1, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  37. ^ Sheep Fire. Oct 10, 2009. InciWeb
  38. ^ "Below-freezing temps help in fight against Sheep fire [Updated]". Los Angeles Times. October 6, 2009. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Sheep Fire Update Friday October 9 8:00 Am. InciWeb.
  40. ^ http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php
  41. ^ Womack, Sam. (August 17, 2009). "Crews work into the night to corral wildfire". Santa Maria Times. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  42. ^ "La Brea Fire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on October 12, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ "La Brea Fire Contained". Santa Barbara Independent. August 23, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  44. ^ "La Brea Fire believed to be caused by $90 million marijuana operation run by Mexican drug cartel". KSBY-TV (NBC Channel 6). August 19, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  45. ^ "State of emergency declared in California wildfire". CNN. September 23, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to California wildfires of August 2009.
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