2019 California wildfires explained

2019 California wildfires
Cost:US$163 million (suppression efforts)[1]
Reference:[2]
Total Fires:7,860
Total Area:259823acres
Injuries:22
Fatalities:3
Buildings:703 [3]
Is Season:yes
Year:2019
Season Name:California wildfires
Image Map Caption:A map of wildfires in California in 2019, using Cal Fire data

The 2019 California wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned across the U.S. state of California as part of the 2019 wildfire season. By the end of the year, according to Cal Fire and the US Forest Service, 7,860 fires were recorded, totaling an estimated of 259823acres of burned land.[2] These fires caused 22 injuries, 3 fatalities, and damaged or destroyed 732 structures.[4] The 2019 California fire season was less active than that of the two previous years (2017 and 2018), which set records for acreage, destructiveness, and deaths.

In late October, the Kincade Fire became the largest fire of the year, burning 77758acres in Sonoma County by November 6.

Massive preemptive public safety power shutoff events in 2019 were controversial. Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric preemptively shut off power to 800,000 electric customers to reduce the risk of wildfires by preventing electrical arcing in high winds from their above-ground power lines.[5] [6] While large areas were without power for days, people in fire danger areas had trouble getting information, and life support equipment would not work without backup power.[7]

Early projections

Fire behavioral experts and climatologists warned that heavy rains from months early in the year had produced an excess of vegetation that would become an abundance of dry fuel later in the year as the fire season gets underway.[8] According to the US Forest Service and US Department of the Interior officials, early projections indicated that the fire season would possibly be worse than the year prior, stating that "if we're lucky, this year will simply be a challenging one." This assessment was written on the basis of noting that the state has recently been seeing consistently destructive fires more often than ever before.[9]

Wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than, or produced significant structural damage or casualties:

NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef
RefugeKern2,5001 structure destroyed [10]
BoulderSan Luis Obispo1,127[11] [12] [13]
SandYolo2,5127 structures destroyed, 2 injuries[14] [15]
West ButteSutter1,300[16] [17]
McMillanSan Luis Obispo1,764[18]
LonoakMonterey2,546Downed PG&E power line was the cause[19] [20]
RockStanislaus2,422[21]
CowInyo, Tulare1,975Caused by lightning strike[22]
SpringsMono4,840Caused by lightning strike[23]
TuckerModoc14,150Unintentionally caused by vehicular traffic along California State Route 139[24] [25] [26] [27]
W-1 McDonaldLassen1,020Caused by lightning strike[28] [29]
Gaines FireGainesMariposa1,300[30]
MountainShasta60014 buildings destroyed, 7 damaged and 3 people injured[31]
Long Valley FireLong ValleyLassen2,438[32]
R-1 Ranch FireR-1 RanchLassen3,380Caused by lightning strike[33]
TenajaRiverside1,926[34]
WalkerPlumas54,6089 structures destroyed[35]
TabooseInyo10,296Caused by lightning strike[36]
LimeSiskiyou1,872Caused by lightning strike[37] [38]
MiddleTrinity1,339Caused by lightning strike[39]
Red BankTehama8,838Caused by lightning strike; 2 buildings destroyed[40]
SouthTehama5,332Caused by lightning strike[41] [42]
LoneModoc5,737Caused by lightning strike[43] [44]
SpringsMono4,840Caused by lightning strike [45] [46]
BriceburgMariposa5,5631 structure destroyed [47] [48]
SandalwoodRiverside1,011Trash in a garbage truck caught fire and spread to nearby brush
74 structures destroyed, 16 structures damaged, 2 civilian fatalities		[49] [50]
CaplesEl Dorado3,435Caused by a controlled burn that went out of control[51]
SaddleridgeLos Angeles8,799Unconfirmed cause, but reported that high-voltage SCE transmission line malfunctioned near point of origin
25 structures destroyed, 88 structures damaged, 1 civilian fatality, 8 firefighter injuries 		[52] [53]
KincadeSonoma77,758Caused by electrical transmission lines located northeast of Geyserville owned and operated by PG&E[54]
374 structures destroyed, 40 structures damaged, 0 reported deaths, 2 firefighters injured 		[55] [56] [57] [58] [59]
TickLos Angeles4,61522 structures destroyed, 27 structures damaged [60]
GettyLos Angeles745Caused by a tree branch that fell on a power line during high winds
12 homes destroyed, 5 homes damaged 		[61] [62] [63]
Easy1,806Threatened the area near the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley and 3 buildings were destroyed [64] [65] [66] [67]
Hillside2006 homes destroyed, 18 homes damaged [68]
Maria9,999Brush fire broke out at around 6:15 p.m. October 31 on South Mountain in Santa Paula[69] [70]
RanchTehama2,5343 injuries, acreage reduced from 3,768 due to better mapping [71] [72] [73]
CaveSanta Barbara3,126Caused by arson,[74] acreage reduced from 4,330 due to better mapping[75] [76] [77] [78] [79]

Other fires

Three people were injured during the Moose Fire (August 12–17).[80] Two people were injured and four structures were destroyed during the Country Fire (September 3–6).[81] Four people were injured during the Lopez Fire (September 21–27),[82] and one during the Electra Fire (September 25).[83] A small brush fire ignited in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles County on October 21. The fire burned 42acres within a few hours, forcing the evacuation of 200 homes.[84] Three firefighters suffered injuries, while one civilian was treated for respiratory illness.[84] [85]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. October 21, 2019. October 21, 2019. National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report. Geographic Area Coordination Center. https://web.archive.org/web/20191022044924/https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf. October 22, 2019. live.
  2. Web site: 2019 Incident Archive. CalFire. State of California. 2020. September 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200910164905/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2019/. September 10, 2020. live.
  3. Web site: 2019 Incident Archive. CALFIRE. en. May 25, 2024.
  4. Web site: 2019 Fire Season . 2022-03-17 . www.fire.ca.gov.
  5. News: Morris . J.D . Cabanatuan . Michael . PG&E: Massive power shut-off to hit 800,000 customers, could extend nearly a week . San Francisco Chronicle. 9 October 2019. 22 December 2019.
  6. News: Wildfires rage in California as residents scramble without power. 10 October 2019. CBS News. en. 22 December 2019.
  7. News: Wildfires rage in California as residents scramble without power. October 10, 2019. CBS News. en. October 10, 2019.
  8. News: Sahagun. Louis. Serna. Joseph. One in 4 Californians live in a 'high risk' wildfire area. Is the state ready for another fire season?. June 14, 2019. Los Angeles Times. June 14, 2019.
  9. News: Kaufman. Ellie. Wildfires are 'burning longer' and 'harder to control,' officials warn. June 13, 2019. CNN. CNN. June 13, 2019.
  10. Web site: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. May 9, 2019. October 11, 2019. Refuge Fire.
  11. Web site: Boulder Fire . 10 June 2019 . Incident Information . Cal Fire.
  12. Web site: 6 June 2019 . UPDATE: Firefighters fully contain grass fire in California Valley area . 11 June 2019 . KSBY . Scripps TV Station Group.
  13. Web site: Boulder Fire now burning 1,127 acres - 100% contained in San Luis Obispo County. SFGate . June 5, 2019. 6 June 2019.
  14. Web site: Sand Fire grows overnight near Davis . KTVU . June 9, 2019 . 9 June 2019.
  15. Web site: Sand Fire. Incident Information. CAL FIRE. State of California. 17 June 2019. 1 July 2019.
  16. Web site: Ding. Jaimie. Bobrowsky. Meghan. Where are fires burning in Northern California? Yolo County's Sand Fire is largest. Sacramento Bee. 8 June 2019. 9 June 2019.
  17. Web site: Wildfire contained near Sutter Buttes . Chico Enterprise-Record . 11 June 2019 . 10 June 2019.
  18. Web site: Cal Fire SLO Tweet . CALFIRE SLO . 12 June 2019 . 12 June 2019.
  19. Web site: PG&E power lines cause of wildfire near King City: Cal Fire. Josh. Copitch. June 27, 2019. July 5, 2019. KSBW.
  20. Web site: Lonoak Fire. Incident Information. CAL FIRE. State of California. 27 June 2019. 4 July 2019.
  21. Web site: Rock Fire. Incident Information. CAL FIRE. State of California. 1 July 2019. 5 July 2019.
  22. Web site: 9 September 2019. Cow Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  23. Web site: 11 August 2019. Springs Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  24. Web site: Tucker Fire in Modoc County unintentionally ignited by vehicular traffic. Natasa. Bansagi. July 31, 2019. KRCR.
  25. Web site: Alexa. Díaz. Tucker fire grows to 14,000 acres, becoming largest blaze in California this year. July 30, 2019. 31 July 2019. Los Angeles Times.
  26. Web site: Tucker Fire. CAL FIRE. State of California. 30 July 2019. 31 July 2019.
  27. Web site: 31 July 2019. Tucker Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  28. Web site: 11 August 2019. W-1 McDonald Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  29. Web site: 12 August 2019. W-1 McDonald Fire Information. CAL FIRE. 14 October 2019.
  30. Web site: 16 August 2019. Gaines Fire Information. fire.ca.gov.
  31. Web site: Mountain Fire. Incident Information. CAL FIRE. State of California. 24 August 2019. 24 August 2019.
  32. Web site: 25 August 2019. Long Valley Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  33. Web site: 1 September 2019. R-1 Ranch Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  34. Web site: 9 September 2019. Tenaja Fire Information. fire.ca.gov.
  35. Web site: 4 September 2019. Walker Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  36. Web site: 9 September 2019. Taboose Fire Information . inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  37. Web site: 9 September 2019. Lime Fire Information . inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  38. News: San Francisco Chronicle. September 13, 2019. October 21, 2019. Fire Tracker: Lime Fire.
  39. Web site: 18 September 2019. Middle Fire. InciWeb.
  40. Web site: 5 September 2019. Red Bank Fire Information. fire.ca.gov.
  41. Web site: 9 September 2019. South Fire Information. fire.ca.gov.
  42. News: San Francisco Chronicle. October 11, 2019. October 30, 2019. Fire Tracker: South Fire.
  43. Web site: 9 September 2019. Lone Fire Information . inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  44. News: San Francisco Chronicle. September 13, 2019. October 21, 2019. Fire Tracker: Lone Fire.
  45. Web site: Los Angeles Fire Department. October 2, 2019. October 21, 2019. Springs Fire.
  46. News: San Francisco Chronicle. September 23, 2019. October 21, 2019. Fire Tracker: Springs Fire.
  47. Web site: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. October 10, 2019. October 11, 2019. Briceburg Fire.
  48. Web site: Full Containment Reached On Briceburg Fire.
  49. Web site: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. October 10, 2019. October 11, 2019. Sandalwood Fire.
  50. News: Doug Stanglin and Chris Woodyard. USAToday. October 12, 2019. October 13, 2019. Evacuations lifted as Los Angeles fire threat eases; 2 confirmed dead in Sandalwood blaze.
  51. Web site: Caples Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  52. Web site: Los Angeles Fire Department. October 23, 2019. October 23, 2019. Saddleridge Brush Fire.
  53. Web site: Saddle Ridge Fire Incident Report.
  54. Web site: Fusek . Maggie . Kincade Fire Caused By PG&E Equipment, Cal Fire Says . . July 17, 2020 . Cal Fire investigators determined the Sonoma County wildfire that destroyed 374 homes and structures was traced to PG&E equipment..
  55. Web site: Kincade Fire: 2,000 people evacuated, 16,000 acres burned. October 24, 2019.
  56. Web site: Kincade Fire in Sonoma County grows to 10,000 acres, evacuation orders expanded. J. D.. Morris. October 24, 2019. SFChronicle.com.
  57. Web site: Kincade Fire Welcome to CAL FIRE . fire.ca.gov . 2019-10-24.
  58. Web site: Kincade Fire now 30 percent contained, grows to 76,825 acres overnight - SFGate . sfgate.com . October 30, 2019 . October 30, 2019.
  59. News: Kovner . Guy . Kincade fire, biggest in county history, has scorched an area 3x the size of Santa Rosa . October 30, 2019 . . en . May 6, 2020 . November 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114224706/https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10239056-181/battle-against-kincade-fire-takes . dead .
  60. Web site: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. October 29, 2019. October 29, 2019. Tick Fire.
  61. Web site: Los Angeles Fire Department. October 29, 2019. October 29, 2019. Getty Fire.
  62. Web site: Getty Fire Burns 618 Acres, Destroys Multiple Homes After Erupting in Sepulveda Pass. ktla.com. October 28, 2019.
  63. News: John Bacon and Kristin Lam. USA Today. October 30, 2019. October 30, 2019. Raging Easy Fire threatens Reagan Library as Getty, Kincade fires continue assault on California.
  64. Web site: SoCal Edison: power line may have started fire. October 31, 2019. KERO.
  65. Web site: Easy Fire. CalFire. 3 November 2019.
  66. Web site: abc7 live updates. November 2019.
  67. Web site: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library escapes damage from Easy Fire amid 'extreme red flag warning'. msn.com.
  68. Web site: Hillside Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System. inciweb.nwcg.gov.
  69. Web site: Edison turned power back on just before Maria Fire started. Megan. Diskin. Ventura County Star.
  70. Web site: Maria Fire Welcome to CAL FIRE. fire.ca.gov. 2019-11-03.
  71. Web site: Ranch Fire's acreage changes due to better mapping, increased containment. Adam. Robinson. November 7, 2019. KRCR. November 8, 2019. November 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191108175614/https://krcrtv.com/news/tehama-county/ranch-fires-acreage-changes-due-to-better-mapping-increased-containment. dead.
  72. Web site: Ranch Fire recalculated to 2,500 acres, containment increases. November 8, 2019.
  73. Web site: Ranch Fire Incident Report.
  74. Web site: Nguyen. Julia. 2020-11-25. Officials: Cave Fire was set intentionally. 2020-11-26. KEYT. en-US.
  75. Web site: UPDATE: Acreage burned in Cave Fire reduced. November 27, 2019. KSBY.
  76. CAL_FIRE . 1199881723929976833 .
    1. CaveFire near Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County is 3,126 acres and 40% contained. Acreage reduced due to accurate mapping. Unified Command: @LosPadresNF @SBCFireInfo @CALFIRE_SLO Evacuation Information: https://twitter.com/sbsheriff https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/ pic.twitter.com/BJa6z3YLYP
    . CAL. FIRE. November 27, 2019.
  77. Web site: Cave Fire (No Longer a CAL FIRE Incident) Report. December 21, 2019. December 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191221060216/https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2019/11/25/cave-fire-no-longer-a-cal-fire-incident/. dead.
  78. Web site: UPDATE: Cave Fire now 90% contained, 154 reopening Sunday. Jessica. Brest. December 1, 2019.
  79. Web site: Cave fire 90% contained; Hwy 154 reopens. Dave. Minsky. Santa Maria Times. December 2, 2019 .
  80. Web site: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 18, 2019. October 30, 2019. Moose Fire.
  81. Web site: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. September 6, 2019. October 30, 2019. Country Fire.
  82. Web site: Los Angeles Fire Department. September 30, 2019. October 21, 2019. Lopez Fire.
  83. Web site: Los Angeles Fire Department. September 25, 2019. October 21, 2019. Electra Fire.
  84. Web site: Los Angeles Fire Department. October 25, 2019. October 29, 2019. Palisades Brush Fire.
  85. News: Hannah Fry, Alejandra Reyes-Belarde, Colleen Shalby, Sonja Sharp, and Leila Miller. Los Angeles Times. October 21, 2019. October 29, 2019. Evacuations are lifted after brush fire burns near Pacific Palisades homes.

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