| Reference: | [1] |
| Cost: | >$2.729 billion (2003 USD)[2] [3] |
| Total Fires: | 9,116 |
| Total Area: | 1020460acres |
| Injuries: | At least 1 firefighter, 36 civilians |
| Fatalities: | 24 civilians[4] 1 firefighter |
| Is Season: | yes |
| Year: | 2003 |
| Season Name: | California wildfires |
The 2003 California wildfires were a series of wildfires that burned throughout the state of California during the year 2003. In total, 9,116 fires[5] burned 1020460acres. In October, a major wildfire outbreak in Southern California burned more than 750,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and killed two dozen people.[6] Many of the victims were killed in their cars while trying to flee.[7] [8]
Below is a list of fires that exceeded 1000acres during the 2003 fire season.[9] The list is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires.
| Name | County | Acres | Km | Start Date | Contained Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local | Riverside | 120001NaN1 | February 23, 2003 | February 23, 2003 | ||
| Delima | Tulare | 30001NaN1 | May 3, 2003 | May 3, 2003 | ||
| Bird | San Joaquin | 68041NaN1 | June 1, 2003 | June 1, 2003 | ||
| Tejon | Kern | 11551NaN1 | June 29, 2003 | June 2, 2003 | 2 structures destroyed | |
| Parkhill | San Luis Obispo | 12001NaN1 | July 20, 2003 | July 22, 2003 | 18 structures destroyed | |
| Kibbie Complex | Tuolumne | 98151NaN1 | July 20, 2003 | October 2, 2003 | ||
| Coyote | San Diego | 187051NaN1 | July 16, 2003 | July 26, 2003 | 2 structures destroyed | |
| Locust | Riverside | 18981NaN1 | August 18, 2003 | August 20, 2003 | 1 structure destroyed | |
| Canoe | Humboldt | 248821NaN1 | September 3, 2003 | October 15, 2003 | 2 structures damaged | |
| Pass | Riverside | 23971NaN1 | October 21, 2003 | October 23, 2003 | 3 structures destroyed | |
| Grand Prix | San Bernardino | 668941NaN1 | October 21, 2003 | November 5, 2003 | 136 structures destroyed | |
| Piru | Ventura | 639911NaN1 | October 23, 2003 | November 14, 2003 | 8 structures destroyed | |
| Verdale | Los Angeles | 86501NaN1 | October 24, 2003 | October 24, 2003 | 1 structure destroyed | |
| Simi | Ventura | 1082041NaN1 | October 25, 2003 | November 5, 2003 | 300 structures destroyed, 21 injuries | |
| Cedar | San Diego | 2732461NaN1 | October 25, 2003 | December 5, 2003 | 2,820 structures destroyed, 15 fatalities | |
| Old | San Bernardino | 912811NaN1 | October 25, 2003 | November 14, 2003 | 1,003 structures destroyed, 6 fatalities | |
| Otay | San Diego | 462911NaN1 | October 26, 2003 | October 27, 2003 | 1 residential structure and 5 outbuildings destroyed, 1 firefighter injured[10] | |
| Mine | San Diego | 460001NaN1 | October 26, 2003 | October 28, 2003 | ||
| Mountain | Riverside | 100001NaN1 | October 26, 2003 | October 29, 2003 | 61 structures destroyed | |
| Paradise | San Diego | 567001NaN1 | October 26, 2003 | November 6, 2003 | 223 structures destroyed, 2 fatalities | |
| Whitmore | Shasta | 12001NaN1 | October 27, 2003 | October 30, 2003 |