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User:Penitentes/Humboldt Fire

Coordinates: 39°44′20″N 121°47′10″W / 39.739°N 121.786°W / 39.739; -121.786
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Humboldt Fire
Date(s)
  • June 11 (11-06) –
  • June 16, 2008 (2008-06-16)
  • (5 days)
Location
Coordinates39°44′20″N 121°47′10″W / 39.739°N 121.786°W / 39.739; -121.786
Statistics
Burned area23,344 acres (9,447 ha; 36 sq mi; 94 km2)
Impacts
Damage
  • >$34 million in property damage
  • (equivalent to >$47m in 2023)
Ignition
CauseArson
Map
Refer to caption
Refer to caption
The general location of the Humboldt Fire, in Butte County

The Humboldt Fire was a destructive wildfire in Butte County, Northern California, in June of 2008. After an unknown arsonist ignited the fire east of Chico it burned for five days, covering 23,344 acres (9,447 hectares). It destroyed 351 buildings, including dozens of homes in the ridgetop community of Paradise.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calfire/albums/72157718920906964/with/51115186820

Background

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In 2008, California recorded 6,255 wildfires, which burned a total area of 1,593,690 acres (644,940 ha).[1]

Cause

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The Humboldt Fire was an act of arson, according to an investigatory team from multiple agencies, including the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). An anonymous letter was sent to multiple local media outlets in June 2008 claiming responsibility for the fire. Following the announcement that the fire had been intentionally lit, Cal Fire offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the party or parties responsible.[2] California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged an additional $40,000, and several local businesses and families did the same. The eventual reward amount reached $72,000.[3] The investigation wound down as no tips bore fruit, and as of June 2018, ten years after the fire, the presumed arsonist had still not been found.[4]

Progression

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The Humboldt Fire ignited at 12:11 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, between Old Humboldt Road and Stilson Canyon Road, east of the city of Chico in Butte County.[2][5] A caller to 911 reported a tree on fire, 100 yards (91 m) from the road, at around 12:20 p.m.[2]

On June 12, the fire entered Nance Canyon[4]

The wind lessened on Friday, June 13, and the fire transitioned to being driven by the sloping terrain in the area instead of the weather. This allowed firefighters to begin making progress on containment lines in front of the fire for the first time. On Friday the fire's perimeter was about 20 percent contained.[6]

By 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, the perimeter of the fire was 45 percent contained.[7]

The fire perimeter was declared 100 percent contained on Monday, June 16.[1] The Humboldt Fire burned a total of 23,344 acres (9,447 ha).[8]

Effects

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During the evacuation of Paradise, it took residents more than two hours to drive 10 miles (16 km).[7]

An 80-year-old resident of Magalia died of a heart attack or a stroke while attempting to evacuate, despite her neighborhood not being subject to an evacuation order.[5][7]

The Humboldt Fire destroyed 351 buildings,[1] and more than a hundred vehicles.[4] Property damage from the fire amounted to more than $34 million (equivalent to about $47 million in 2023), and firefighting costs were more than $10 million (equivalent to about $14 million in 2023).[2]

Only six homes burned inside Paradise city limits, but far more were lost in an unincorporated area just below the town along Neal Road.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c 2008 Wildfire Activity Statistics (PDF) (Report). California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Welter, Greg (July 17, 2008). "Investigators determine arson caused Humboldt Fire". Oroville Mercury-Register. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Humboldt Fire rewards now total $72,000". Chico Enterprise-Record. July 31, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Silva, Rick (June 15, 2018). "The Humboldt Fire, 10 years later". Chico Enterprise-Record. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Wellersdick, Paul (July 17, 2008). "Officials: Humboldt Fire was intentional". Paradise Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  6. ^ La Ganga, Maria L.; Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (June 14, 2008). "Firefighters making progress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Kuruvila, Matthai (June 15, 2008). "74 Paradise homes destroyed by Humboldt Fire". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via SFGate.
  8. ^ "Humboldt Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Retrieved August 21, 2024.
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