2009 California wildfires explained

2009 California wildfires
Reference:	^[1]
Total Fires:	9,159
Cost:	>$307.4 million (2009 USD)^[2]
Total Area:	422147acres
Injuries:	At least 134
Fatalities:	4 firefighters
Is Season:	yes
Year:	2009
Season Name:	California wildfires

The 2009 California wildfires were a series of 9,159 wildfires that were active in the US state of California, during the year 2009.^[3] The fires burned more than 422147acres of land from early February through late November, due to Red Flag conditions, destroying hundreds of structures, injuring 134 people, and killing four.^{[4] [5]} The wildfires also caused at least US$134.48 million 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 160577acres of land as well as the death of two firefighters. Another large fire was the La Brea Fire, which burned nearly 90000acres in Santa Barbara County earlier in the month. A state of emergency was also declared for the 78000NaN0 Lockheed Fire in Santa Cruz County, to the north.

Fires

Below is a list of all fires that exceeded 1000acres during the 2009 fire season.^[6] The list is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires.

Name	County	Acres	Km	Start Date	Contained Date	Notes
	Santa Barbara	87331NaN1	May 5, 2009	May 20, 2009	160 structures destroyed
Grouse	Mariposa	30471NaN1	May 30, 2009	July 13, 2009
Harden	Tuolumne	16611NaN1	June 8, 2009	July 11, 2009
Explosive	San Joaquin	21631NaN1	June 19, 2009	June 19, 2009
Lion Complex	Tulare	39881NaN1	June 30, 2009	August 21, 2009
Backbone	Trinity	63241NaN1	July 1, 2009	July 24, 2009	1 fatality
Yankee	San Diego	22001NaN1	July 11, 2009	July 14, 2009
Fork	Inyo	32681NaN1	July 18, 2009	July 27, 2009
Tennant	Siskiyou	32251NaN1	July 19, 2009	July 27, 2009
Knight	Tuolumne	61301NaN1	July 26, 2009	August 11, 2009
Wildcat	Tuolumne	11001NaN1	July 29, 2009	August 31, 2009
Hat Creek Complex	Shasta	112691NaN1	August 1, 2009	August 12, 2009
W-4	Lassen	15001NaN1	August 1, 2009	August 7, 2009
Dodge Complex	Lassen	16001NaN1	August 1, 2009	August 3, 2009
Brown	Shasta	10001NaN1	August 2, 2009	August 12, 2009
Fairfield	Shasta	16641NaN1	August 2, 2009	August 21, 2009
Chalk (Shu Complex)	Shasta	68951NaN1	August 3, 2009	August 16, 2009
Goose (Shu Complex)	Shasta	39181NaN1	August 3, 2009	August 17, 2009
Cassel (Shu Complex)	Shasta	63191NaN1	August 3, 2009	August 14, 2009
	Santa Barbara	894891NaN1	August 8, 2009	August 23, 2009	2 structures destroyed
	Santa Cruz	78171NaN1	August 12, 2009	August 23, 2009	13 structures destroyed
Coffin	Trinity	13001NaN1	August 12, 2009	August 15, 2009
Corral	San Joaquin	122001NaN1	August 13, 2009	August 16, 2009
Yuba	Yuba	38911NaN1	August 14, 2009	August 24, 2009
Red Rock	Siskiyou	13641NaN1	August 21, 2009	September 4, 2009
Morris	Los Angeles	21681NaN1	August 25, 2009	September 3, 2009
Bryson	Monterey	33831NaN1	August 25, 2009	August 29, 2009
	Los Angeles	1605771NaN1	August 26, 2009	October 16, 2009	209 structures destroyed; 2 firefighter fatalities
Big Meadows	Mariposa	74251NaN1	August 26, 2009	September 10, 2009
Gloria	Monterey	64371NaN1	August 27, 2009	September 1, 2009
Cottonwood	Riverside	24091NaN1	August 27, 2009	August 31, 2009
Pacheco	Santa Clara	16001NaN1	August 29, 2009	August 30, 2009
Oak Glen III	San Bernardino	11591NaN1	August 30, 2009	September 8, 2009
Oasis	Lake	15001NaN1	September 7, 2009	September 12, 2009
	Ventura	175001NaN1	September 22, 2009	October 1, 2009
Six	Yolo	12351NaN1	October 1, 2009	October 1, 2009
Sheep	San Bernardino	71281NaN1	October 3, 2009	October 10, 2009
Mill Creek #4	Humboldt	27501NaN1	October 7, 2009	October 17, 2009

Weather conditions

Invasive, non-native vegetation dies and re-sprouts year after year creating an unnatural buildup of dead plant material.^[7] While periodic fires are natural, and many native plants depend upon fire to reproduce;^[8] the intensity and frequency of these fires is altered by the presence of non-natives.

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 during 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.

Notable fires

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

Northern California

Alameda County

• The Corral Fire began on August 13 along Corral Hollow Road, outside the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, near Tracy in Alameda County. It burned 12500acres of dry grass before being fully contained on August 16.^{[9] [10]}

Mariposa County

• 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 7425acres 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.^[11] This blaze was the result of a prescribed burn gone out of control, leading some to question the judgment of Park authorities.^[12]

Placer County

• The Mammoth Fire started on July 16 and burned 643acres in the American River Canyon and Mammoth Bar Recreation Area east of Auburn before it was contained on July 18.^[13] 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.
• The Foresthill Fire started on August 27 and burned 30acres 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.^[14] 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.
• 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 343acres, 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.^[15] The fire began along the east side of Highway 49, which led to the name 49 Fire. The fire quickly spread north and east.^[16] The fire spread so quickly that some residents barely escaped their burning homes.^[17] Auburn Municipal Airport was closed during the fire, which burned right up to the runway. The fire's cause is arson. The arsonist lit a second fire just east of the original fire 20 minutes after the first fire. This added to the destruction and fire spread.^[18] This was the second fire to burn the area in 5 years.

Santa Cruz/Monterey/San Benito Counties

• The Lockheed Fire began on August 12 near the Lockheed Martin Space Systems campus in Santa Cruz County.^{[19] [20]} A total of 7817acres burned and thirteen structures were destroyed, including four seasonal cabins but no primary residences. No cause has been identified.^[21] The communities of Swanton and Bonny Doon were evacuated and a state of emergency was declared by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi on August 14.^[22] State fire crews achieved 100% containment on August 23, at a cost of .^[21] 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.^[23]
• The Bryson Fire started from a mobile home fire on Bryson-Hesperia Road in the Monterey County town of Lockwood. It burned 3383acres and five structures, including three homes, between August 26 and August 28.^{[24] [25]}
• The Gloria Fire began on August 27 along Camphora Gloria Road near the town of Soledad. It burned 6437acres 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.^[26] 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.^[27]
• The Loma Fire (October 25–27), 669acres (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.^[28] High winds contributed to the spread in the Summit area of the Santa Cruz Mountains in an area which had 6inches of rain on October 13.^{[29] [30]}

Yuba County

• The Yuba Fire was started after a red-tailed hawk flew into a power line on August 14, and burned 3891acres 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.^{[31] [32]}

Southern California

Los Angeles County

• The Morris Fire (August 25 – September 3, 2168acres) began near Morris Dam in the Angeles National Forest.^[33] This fire is thought to have been caused by arson.^[34]
• The Station Fire (August 26 – October 16, 160577acres, 209 structures destroyed, including 89 homes)^[35] started in the Angeles National Forest near the U.S. Forest Service ranger station on the Angeles Crest Highway (State Highway 2).^{[36] [37]} Two firefighters, Captain Tedmund Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnie Quinones were killed on August 30 while attempting to escape the flames when their fire truck plunged off a cliff.^[38]

San Bernardino County

• The Sheep Fire (October 3–10, 7128acres) 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 0.3miles 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.^[39] Below-freezing temperatures in the mountain areas helped fire crews in containment on October 6.^[40] Suppression costs : $7,977,000.^[41]

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 8733acres, destroyed 80 homes and damaged 15 more before being 100% contained.^[42]
• The La Brea Fire began near La Brea Creek in Santa Barbara County, inside of Los Padres National Forest.^[43] The fire burned 89489acres of chaparral between August 8 and August 22, but only destroyed two structures—a cabin and an unused ranger station.^[44]

Ventura County

• The Guiberson Fire in Ventura County has burnt an estimated 8500acres, 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 17500acres. The cause of the fire is still unknown.^[45]

External links

• Current Fire Information . CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection)
• California fires, August 31, 2009. NOAA satellite image of Angeles National Forest (Station Fire), Big Meadow fire (northern California), and Mill Flat fire (Utah). Retrieved August 31, 2009. Higher res image 1280 x 1024
• West coast wildfire smoke covering US Plains and Great Lakes states, 9/3/2009. NOAA satellite image. Retrieved September 7, 2009. Higher res image 1280 x 1024

Notes and References

1. Web site: National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State 2009. National Interagency Fire Center. 19 August 2015. 27 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190627145539/https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2009_statssumm/fires_acres.pdf. dead.
2. Web site: CAL FIRE 2009 Wildland Fire Summary. CalFire. September 2011. December 11, 2017. November 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161118220058/http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/2009Summary.pdf. dead.
3. http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current Current Fire Information
4. News: Wildfire spreads along 241 toll road just east of Anaheim Hills [Updated] ]. Los Angeles Times . November 24, 2009 . November 25, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091128081226/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/wildfire-spreads-along-241-toll-road-just-east-of-anahiem-hills.html . November 28, 2009 . live .
5. Web site: Wildland Fire Accidents and Fatalities by Year. https://web.archive.org/web/20080917060451/http://www.nifc.gov/safety/reports/year.pdf. dead. September 17, 2008. National Interagency Fire Center. 28 August 2015.
6. Web site: Large Fires 2009. CAL FIRE. 20 August 2015. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023031/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentstatsevents_178.pdf. dead.
7. Web site: Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants . Zouhar . Kristin . Smith . Jane Kapler . Sutherland . Steve . Brooks . Matthew L. . 2008 . [United States Forest Service] . February 17, 2011.
8. Web site: Ainsworth . Jack . Doss . Troy Alan . Natural History of Fire & Flood Cycles . 1995 . California Coastal Commission . February 17, 2011.
9. Web site: Corral Fire . August 18, 2009 . . September 3, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090824000106/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=363. August 24, 2009 . live.
10. News: Salonga . Robert. . August 17, 2009 . Corral fire fully contained after burning 12,500 acres . . September 3, 2009 . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001425/http://www.insidebayarea.com/livermore/ci_13143709 . dead .
11. Web site: Big Meadow Wildfire . September 4, 2009 . InciWeb (United States Forest Service) . September 5, 2009 .
12. Web site: A Note From Yosemite's Superintendent . August 29, 2009 . InciWeb (United States Forest Service) . September 3, 2009 . September 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160917064007/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9328/ . dead .
13. Web site: CalFIRE . California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection . Mammoth Fire Fire Incident Information . July 18, 2009 . September 12, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090720065454/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=340 . July 20, 2009 . live .
14. Web site: CalFIRE . California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection . Foresthill Fire Fire Incident Information . August 28, 2009 . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090830183303/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=375 . August 30, 2009 . live .
15. Web site: Forty Nine (49) Fire . September 2, 2009 . California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) . September 3, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090904020700/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=380. September 4, 2009 . live.
16. Web site: Placer County Community Development Department . Aerial photo & map of 49 Fire . September 12, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090921134213/http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/~/media/cdr/49_Fire/Aerial_FortyNineFire.ashx . September 21, 2009 . dead . (map)
17. Web site: Fox40 News: Couple Tours Their Burned Out Home . 28 August 2018 . Fox 40 KTXL . Sacramento . September 12, 2009 .
18. Web site: Firefighters Fully Contain the 49 Fire . Thomas . Ayesha . Johnson . C. . September 1, 2009 . KXTV (ABC Channel 10) . September 3, 2009.
19. Web site: Gabbert . Bill . Lockheed fire near Santa Cruz, CA . August 13, 2009 . Wildfire Today . September 3, 2009.
20. Web site: Squires . Jennifer . Jones . Donna . Alexander . Kurtis . Kelly . Cathy . Bookwalter . Genevieve . Walsh . Austin . Lockheed Fire update: No containment; Bonny Doon evacuated; McCrary home saved . August 13, 2009 . . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091016211507/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13052532 . October 16, 2009 . dead . mdy-all .
21. Web site: Lockheed Fire Incident Information . August 23, 2009 . . September 3, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090907141713/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=361. September 7, 2009 . live.
22. Web site: State of Emergency As Lockheed Fire Rages . August 14, 2009 . KPIX-TV (CBS Channel 5) . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090817231914/http://cbs5.com/local/bonny.doon.fire.2.1128496.html . 2009-08-17 . dead .
23. Web site: Bookwalter . Genevieve . Scientists excited about new rare plants: recent flames could prompt explosion of manzanita species found nowhere else . August 19, 2009 . . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090825184512/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13156080 . August 25, 2009 . dead . mdy-all .
24. Web site: Bryson Fire . August 28, 2009 . . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090917163327/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=368. September 17, 2009 . live.
25. Web site: Firefighters battling fierce heat, dry fuels in 4,000-acre Bryson Fire . August 28, 2009 . KSBY-TV (NBC Channel 6) . September 3, 2009 .
26. Web site: Gloria Fire . August 31, 2009 . . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090830183258/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=374. August 30, 2009 . live.
27. Web site: CAL FIRE investigators focus on vineyard as cause of Gloria Fire near Soledad . Solana . Kimber. . September 1, 2009 . The Californian . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090907131554/http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090901/NEWS01/909010305 . 2009-09-07 . dead .
28. http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=402 Loma Fire Incident Information
29. http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13635655 600-acre Loma Fire now 20 percent contained
30. [NOAA-17]
31. Web site: Yuba Fire . August 23, 2009 . . September 3, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090823233901/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=364. August 23, 2009 . live.
32. News: Grigsby . Jared. . Difficult terrain works against Calif. fire crews . August 16, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090819234133/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4rSxtb6hFEjzSiMFwAKeOSyEC9gD9A3RCB80 . dead . August 19, 2009 . Associated Press. September 3, 2009 .
33. Web site: Morris Fire . September 3, 2009 . InciWeb (United States Forest Service) . September 5, 2009 . December 23, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091223231550/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1852/ . dead .
34. Web site: Morris Fire was arson, official says . August 30, 2009 . . September 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090908063757/http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_13235066 . 2009-09-08 . dead .
35. http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9640/ Station Fire Update Sept. 27, 2009
36. Web site: New fire breaks out near Angeles Crest Highway; forces road closure . August 26, 2009 . . September 3, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090908063659/http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/rds_search/ci_13209642?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com . September 8, 2009 .
37. Web site: Station Fire . September 4, 2009 . InciWeb (United States Forest Service) . September 5, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090904003251/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1856/. September 4, 2009 . live.
38. Web site: Firefighters Killed in 'Station Fire' Remembered . September 1, 2009 . KTLA-TV (Channel 5) . September 3, 2009 . July 24, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724101900/http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-firefighters-bio,0,7708207.story . dead .
39. http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1910/ Sheep Fire
40. News: Below-freezing temps help in fight against Sheep fire [Updated] ]. Los Angeles Times . October 6, 2009 . October 7, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091008213417/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/10/belowfreezing-temps-help-in-fight-against-sheep-fire.html . October 8, 2009 . live .
41. http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9742/ Sheep Fire Update Friday October 9 8:00 Am
42. Web site: CAL FIRE - Home . 2014-05-30 . 2015-09-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150914182345/http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php . dead .
43. News: Womack . Sam. . August 17, 2009 . Crews work into the night to corral wildfire . Santa Maria Times . September 3, 2009 .
44. Web site: La Brea Fire . September 1, 2009 . InciWeb (United States Forest Service) . September 3, 2009 . September 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160917053731/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1803/ . dead .
45. News: State of emergency declared in California wildfire. CNN. September 23, 2009. September 23, 2009.