2014 California wildfires

For the swarm of large wildfires that were ablaze in San Diego County, California during May 2014, see May 2014 San Diego County wildfires.
2014 California wildfires

Satellite image of the wildfires in Southern California and Baja California, on May 15, 2014.
Statistics[1][2][3][4][5]
Total fires 7,865
Total area 555,044 acres (2,246 km2)
Cost At least $184.02 million (2014 USD)
Injuries At least 146
Fatalities 2 confirmed
Season
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2015 →

The 2014 California wildfire season saw several notable wildfires ignited in the state of California, especially during the month of May, when multiple fires were ablaze concurrently in Southern California, and during September, when several massive wildfires were burning in Northern California. In the context of the 2012–15 North American drought (especially the 2011–15 California drought), as well as powerful Santa Ana winds, weather conditions were ideal for wildfires. The season began unusually early when a wildfire ignited on January 1, followed by 6 more fires igniting later within the same month. During a heat wave and dry Santa Ana conditions in May 2014, multiple wildfires broke out simultaneously in San Diego County, along with several other wildfires elsewhere in California. By mid-May, fire officials said they had already dealt with 1,400 wildfires in California in 2014 - twice the normal amount for that time of year - and a spokesman for CAL FIRE described the conditions as "unprecedented."[6] The May 2014 San Diego County wildfires were estimated to have caused at least $60 million (2014 USD) in damage.[3] In late June to early August, another group of wildfires ignited across the state, some of which reached over twenty thousand acres in size. In mid-September, the largest group of wildfires erupted, with some wildfires becoming larger than 50,000 acres in size. In early September 2014, the Happy Complex Fire became the largest wildfire of the season, eventually topping out at 135,369 acres (54,782 ha) in size on September 27. On October 8, an aerial tanker crashed during a firefighting effort at the Dog Rock Fire, which killed the pilot and sparked a small wildfire.[2] From late September to late October, the latest flare-up of major wildfires were extinguished by cooler weather and precipitation. From December 10–13, a powerful winter storm extinguished the remaining wildfires that were present. In mid-December through late December, several more small wildfires sparked, but they were all extinguished by December 31. A total of 5,620 wildfires ignited throughout the year, which burned at least 631,434 acres (2,555.32 km2) of land. The wildfires caused a total of 146 injuries and 2 fatalities, in addition to causing at least $184.02 million (2014 USD) in damage.

Fires

Below is a list of all fires that exceeded 1,000 acres (400 ha) during the 2014 fire season, as well as those fires that caused significant damage.[7] The list is taken from CAL FIREs list of large fires.

Name County Acres Km2 Start Date Contained Date Notes Ref
BernardoSan Diego 1,548 6.313 May 201417 May 2014 [8]
CocosSan Diego 1,995 8.114 May 201422 May 201440 structures destroyed [9]
PulgasSan Diego 14,416 58.315 May 201421 May 2014 [10]
ButtsNapa 4,300 17.41 July 20149 July 2014 9 structures destroyed[11]
Monticello Yolo 6,488 26.34 July 201412 July 2014 [12]
Bully Shasta 12,661 51.211 July 201428 July 2014 20 structures destroyed
1 civilian fatality		 [13]
Sand El Dorado 4,240 17.225 July 20142 September 2014 67 structures destroyed[14]
Kelley Merced 1,000 4.026 July 201429 July 2014 [7]
Day Modoc 13,153 53.230 July 201413 August 2014 10 structures destroyed [15]
Lodge Complex Mendocino 12,535 50.730 July 20149 September 2014 [16]
Gulch Shasta 1,375 5.610 September 201416 September 2014 4 structures destroyed [17]
BolesSiskiyou516 2.115 September 201411 October 2014 157 structures destroyed [18]
Courtney Madera 320 1.314 September 201421 September 2014 49 structures destroyed [19]
Soda Tulare 1,612 6.514 January 201415 February 2014 [7]
Colby Los Angeles 1,952 7.916 January 201421 January 2014 15 structures destroyed[20]
Etiwanda San Bernardino 2,200 8.930 April 20149 May 2014 [21]
Poinsettia San Diego 600 2.414 May 201417 May 201428 structures destroyed [22]
Basilone Complex San Diego 21,240 86.017 May 201419 May 2014 [7]
Shirley Kern 2,545 10.313 June 201422 June 2014 2 structures destroyed [23]
Stony Monterey 4,840 19.619 June 201422 June 2014 [7]
Modoc July Complex Modoc 2,566 10.41 July 20147 July 2014 [7]
Nicolls Kern 1,680 6.811 July 201419 July 2014 [24]
Dark Hole Mariposa 1,077 4.416 July 201420 August 2014 [25]
El Portal Mariposa 4,689 19.026 July 20144 August 2014 2 structures destroyed[26]
French Madera 13,838 56.028 July 201418 August 2014 [27]
Bald Shasta 39,736 160.830 July 201416 August 2014 [28]
Coffee Complex Trinity 6,178 25.030 July 201416 August 2014 [29]
KNF Beaver Siskiyou 32,496 131.530 July 201430 August 2014 6 structures destroyed [30]
Little Deer Siskiyou 5,503 22.331 July 201411 August 20141 structure destroyed [31]
Eiler Shasta 32,416 131.231 July 201424 August 201421 structures destroyed [32]
July Complex Siskiyou 50,042 202.53 August 201425 September 20142 structures destroyed [33]
Happy Camp Complex Siskiyou 134,056 542.514 August 201431 October 2014 6 structures destroyed[34]
Meadow Mariposa 4,772 19.315 August 201429 September 2014 [35]
Way Kern 4,045 16.418 August 201428 August 201412 structures destroyed [36]
King El Dorado 97,717 395.413 September 20149 October 2014 80 structures destroyed [37]
Dog Rock Mariposa 311 1.37 October 201412 October 2014 1 firefighter killed[38]

May San Diego County wildfires

The Cocos Fire burning above CSU San Marcos, on May 14, 2014

In May a series of at least 10 wildfires broke out in San Diego County during severe Santa Ana Wind conditions, historic drought conditions, and a heat wave. The main event during mid-May was preceded by a precursor fire that ignited on May 5. The severe weather conditions contributed to the spread of at least 19 more individual wildfires, with ten of them receiving names. The Cocos Fire, which was the most destructive with 40 structured being destroyed, was determined to be arson.[39] The causes of the other fires are still under investigation by multiple agencies, and a joint task force was formed to coordinate the investigations and facilitate communications.[40] Six injuries and one fire-related fatality were reported.

Hunters Fire

On May 27, at 3:00 PM PDT, the Hunters Fire broke out at Hunters Valley Access Road Bear Valley Area, in Mariposa County. The fire spread toward populated areas and evacuations were ordered for the Hunters Valley Area.[41]

Stony Fire

On June 19, at 3:14 PM PDT, the Stony Fire was reported at Stony Valley Range on Fort Hunter Liggett, in Monterey County. The wildfire quickly spread to 5,000 acres (2,000 ha), but it was 100% contained by June 20.[42] Moderate amounts of smoke still lingered within the area, and cleanup work was expected to continue for the next few days. The Nacimiento-Ferguson Road was also closed due to downed trees, but was expected to reopen a couple of days later. No evacuations were ordered for this fire, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation.

Butts Fire

On July 1, at 12:08 PM PDT, the Butts Fire broke out near Butts Canyon Road in Pope Valley, California, northwest of Lake Berryessa, in Yolo County.[43]

Banner Fire

The Banner Fire erupted around 10:30 AM PDT on July 3, 2014 in the Banner, California area, near Route 78 in San Diego County. It quickly spread westward and expanded to 150 acres (61 ha), threatening the town of Julian. Portions of Route 78 were closed, and mandatory evacuation was ordered for 200 homes; however, the evacuation order was lifted later that evening, as the containment of the wildfire's perimeter increased. Two homes were destroyed, but the heavy use of firefighting planes and helicopters prevented additional losses.[44]

Monticello Fire

On July 4, at 9:32 PM PDT, the Monticello Fire erupted at Highway 128 at Monticello Dam, at the southeast shore of Lake Berryessa, in Yolo County.[45]

Sand Fire

The Sand Fire was ignited in El Dorado County, five miles north of the Amador County town of Plymouth, on July 25, at 4:34 PM PDT, by a vehicle driving over dry vegetation.[46] A total of 4,240 acres (1,720 ha) were burned, claiming 20 residences and 47 outbuildings. Twelve hundred residences were evacuated before full containment of the wildfire was achieved on August 2.[47]

Gulch Fire

On September 10, a car fire started a fire in the Bella Vista area.[48] On September 16, the Gulch Fire was fully contained after burning 1,375 acres (556 ha).[49] The wildfire has also injured a total of 4 people.[49] The damage caused by the Gulch Fire is currently unknown.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2014 Wildfires in California.

References

  1. ↑ London, Christina (May 15, 2014). "Body Found in Ashes of Carlsbad Fire". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Pilot Killed After Airtanker Crash in Yosemite National Park Identified". The Weather Channel. October 9, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Repard, Pauline (May 24, 2014). "County estimates wildfire costs at nearly $60 million". San Diego Union Tribune.
  4. ↑ "National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Wildland Fire Fatalities by Year" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  6. ↑ Medina, Jennifer (May 15, 2014). "Fire Season Starts Early, and Fiercely". New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Large Fires 2014" (PDF). CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Bernardo Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Cocos Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  10. ↑ "Pulgas Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "Butts Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Monticello Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Bully Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "Sand Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Day Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "Lodge Complex Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Gulch Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Boles Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "Courtney Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "Colby Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Etiwanda Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "Poinsettia Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "Shirley Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "Nicolls Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Dark Hole Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "El Portal Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "French Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  28. ↑ "Bald Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  29. ↑ "Coffee Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  30. ↑ "Oregon Gulch Fire Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "Little Deer Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "Eiler Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "July Complex Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  34. ↑ "Happy Camp Complex Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "Meadow Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  36. ↑ "Way Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "King Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  38. ↑ "Dog Rock Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  39. ↑ Figueroa, Terry (July 10, 2014). "Officials: juvenile started Cocos blaze". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  40. ↑ Summers, Dave (May 19, 2014). "Fire Investigations Pooled into 1 Task Force". NBC San Diego. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Hunters Fire". CalFire. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  42. ↑ "PRESS RELEASE U.S. Army Garrison Fort... - Fort Hunter Liggett - Facebook". facebook.com.
  43. ↑ "Butts Fire General Information". ca.gov.
  44. ↑ "Banner Fire now 40 percent contained; 2 homes lost in fire near Julian". ABC 10 News. July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Monticello Fire General Information". ca.gov.
  46. ↑ "Sand Fire Incident Information". Cal Fire. August 2, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Sand - Amador". YubaNet.com. August 4, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  48. ↑ http://www.redding.com/news/local-news/gulch-fire-declared-contained Record Searchlight
  49. 1 2 "Gulch Fire General Information". ca.gov.
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