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.
Location California
Cost At least $184.02 million (2014 USD)[1][2]
Date(s) January 1 – December 31, 2014
Total wildfires 5,620[3]
Burned area

At least 631,434 acres (2,555 km2)[4]

Ignition source Heat, arsonists, lightning strikes, escaped campfires, vehicle fires, plane crash, faulty construction equipment
Injuries (non-fatal) At least 146
Fatalities 2 confirmed[5][6]

Several notable wildfires ignited in the state of California in 2014, especially during May 2014, when multiple fires were ablaze concurrently in Southern California, and during September 2014, when several massive wildfires were simultaneously ablaze in Northern California. In the context of the 2012–14 North American drought (especially the 2011–15 California drought), as well as powerful Santa Ana winds, weather conditions were ideal for wildfires. The "fire 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."[7] The May 2014 San Diego County wildfires were estimated to have caused at least $60 million (2014 USD) in damage.[1] 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.[6] 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.

Colby Fire

Colby Fire

The Colby Fire on the morning of January 16, 2014.
Location Glendora, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Date(s) January 16, 2014
Burned area

1,992 acres (806 ha)[8]

Ignition source Escaped campfire
Buildings destroyed 5[9][10]
Injuries (non-fatal) 1[10]

The Colby Fire was a wildfire in the Angeles National Forest. It was ignited along the Colby Truck Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains in northern Los Angeles County, United States. The fire started on January 16, 2014 and eventually burned 1,992 acres. On January 25, the Colby Fire had burned 1,962 acres, and was 98% contained.[8][11] The fire, which was fanned by strong Santa Ana winds, destroyed 5 homes, injured one person, and forced the evacuation of 3,600 people at its peak.[8][8][9]

Three men in their early 20s were arrested for recklessly starting a fire, and have allegedly admitted starting an illegal campfire that blew out of control.[10][12] They will face federal charges of unlawfully causing timber to burn. Bail has been set at $500,000 for each of them "due to the seriousness of the crime, as well as the high cost of damaged property and resources to fight the fire."[13] One of the men, a transient, has been placed in a residential drug treatment facility.[14] Two of the homeless men were convicted of lighting and failing to control an illegal campfire; the third person is scheduled to go to trial later in 2014.[15]

Colby Fire, as seen from Glendora

January fires are unusual in Southern California, but there was little rainfall in the area leading up to the fire, which led to a "red flag" fire danger situation. Warm temperatures, low humidity, and an excess of dry brush in the foothills around Glendora (which had not burned significantly since the 1960s) encouraged the growth of the fire.[12]

Etiwanda Fire

The Etiwanda Fire was a wildfire in San Bernardino County, California, in the San Bernardino National Forest in the foothills north of Rancho Cucamonga. It started on April 30, 2014, during Santa Ana wind conditions of high temperatures and strong winds. On the first day, four schools and more than 1,500 homes were evacuated; residential evacuation orders were canceled that evening. Nine schools were closed on May 1, but they all were reopened on May 2. Many nearby communities were warned of unhealthy air quality. It burned 2,143 acres (867 ha) and was fully contained on May 10. The Etiwanda Fire was caused by an escaped illegal campfire.[16][17]

May 2014 San Diego County wildfires

Miguelito Fire

At 2:00 PM PDT on May 13, the Miguelito Fire broke out off Santa Miguelito Canyon Road in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County. Over the course of the next week and a half, the fire gradually expanded northward to 632 acres (256 ha) towards the direction of Lompoc, before firefighters managed to stop its expansion on May 16. The fire threatened 1,200 buildings in Santa Barbara, prompting evacuation orders for the affected areas. On May 16, evacuation orders were lifted after the fire was reported to be 95% contained. At 9:20 AM PDT on May 19, the Miguelito Fire was reported to be 100% contained. No structural damage or injuries were reported.[18]

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. Within the next half hour, the fire quickly expanded to 1,300 acres (530 ha), causing 3 injuries and destroying property. The fire was only 20% contained, and as a result of this and its spread toward populated areas, evacuations were ordered for the Hunters Valley Area.[19] On May 28, the expansion of the Hunters Fire was stopped, but the wildfire still continued to burn in Hunters Valley. During the evening of May 28, the Hunters Fire was reduced to 677 acres (274 ha), and was reported as 40% contained. 5 more people were injured by the fire on May 28. On May 29, the fire was reported to be 80% contained. On May 31, the fire injured another person, and the fire was reported to be 95% contained. At 6:30 PM PDT on June 2, the Hunters Fire was 100% contained.

Shirley Fire

On June 13, at 5:00 PM PDT, the Shirley Fire ignited 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Shirley Meadows, Kern County, in the southern part of the Sequoia National Forest. The fire rapidly spread, due to dry weather and drought conditions. By June 15, the Shirley Fire had expanded to 1,800 acres (730 ha), and it was reported as being only 10% contained.[2] As a result, parts of the National Forest were closed, and evacuations were ordered for residences in the area. On June 16, the Shirley Fire expanded eastward towards Lake Isabella to 2,200 acres (890 ha), and began to threaten more homes. The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation. During the afternoon of June 16, the wildfire was reported to have expanded to 2,646 acres (1,071 ha), but the wildfire was also 50% contained. On June 17, the spread of the fire had stopped, and it was reported to be 75% contained. During the late afternoon of June 17, it was reported that the Shirley Fire was 85% contained. On June 18, the fire was 90% contained. Soon afterwards, many of the firefighters were withdrawn in order to prepare for possible future wildfire outbreaks, due to an approaching heat wave in which temperatures were expected to be in the hundreds. During the same day, the administration of Sequoia National Forest stated that the Shirley Fire was expected to continue burning within the containment line for the next several days, due to continuing drought conditions, an approaching heat wave, and the amount of timber the fire could consume as fuel within its perimeter. On June 20, it was reported that the perimeter of the Shirley Fire was 100% contained, but the wildfire continued to burn well inside of its perimeter while producing moderate amounts of smoke, which was expected to continue for the next several days. The firefighting efforts and the damage caused by the wildfire cost a total of $12,155,450 dollars (2014 USD).[2] On June 21, the USAD Forest Service and the DOI Bureau of Land Management worked together to initiate cleanup efforts, assess the damage caused by the Shirley Fire, and assist in recovery efforts. The two agencies also worked to help bring the Shirley Fire under control, as well as to help the wildlife recover, and to prevent further degradation of resources.[20] At 6:00 PM PDT on June 26, the roadblocks issued for the Shirley Fire were lifted, even though the wildfire continued to burn within the containment line. On July 15, the Shirley Fire was 100% controlled.[2]

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.[21] 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.[22] The fire quickly expanded to 300 acres (120 ha) and was only 5% contained. Within the next several hours, the fire reached a size of 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) but the containment increased to 15%. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for portions of both Napa and Lake County. On July 2, the wildfire expanded to 3,200 acres (1,300 ha) and it was still only 15% contained, so additional evacuations and some road closures were ordered. On July 3, the Butts Fire reached a size of 4,300 acres (1,700 ha), but the expansion of the fire was halted. Several hours later, the containment increased to 45%, resulting in all of the evacuation orders being lifted. On July 4, the containment increased to 65%, which resulted in the road closures being lifted. On July 6, the Butts Fire was 85% contained. On July 7, the Butts Fire was 90% contained, which allowed the road closures to be lifted. On July 8, the containment increased to 95%. At 6:00 PM PDT, the Butts Fire was reported to be 100% contained. The Butts Fire destroyed two residential buildings and seven outbuildings. A total of four injuries were reported. The cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation.

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.[23] On July 4, the Banner Fire expanded to 217 acres (88 ha) and the containment increased to 70%. During the same day, four injuries were reported from the Banner Fire. On July 5, the Banner Fire had stopped expanding, and was 90% contained.[24] On July 6, at 9:15 AM PDT, the Banner Fire was 100% contained. However, the road closures still remained in effect, as the firefighting crews continued to monitor the burn areas for potential flare-ups. The cause of the Banner Fire is currently under investigation.

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.[25] The wildfire quickly spread to 1,800 acres (730 ha), prompting mandatory evacuations to be ordered in the Golden Bear Estates. Late during the night of the same day, the Monticello Fire expanded further to 7,000 acres (2,800 ha). However, the containment also increased to 30%. On July 6, the expansion of the wildfire stopped, but the progress of containing the wildfire also stalled. On July 7, the Monticello Fire was 35% contained. This resulted in the evacuation orders and the road closures being lifted. At 7:30 PM PDT, the containment increased to 45%. On July 8, the containment increased to 55%. At 7:50 PM PDT, later on the same day, the wildfire was 71% contained. Although the smoke from the wildfire decreased, the smoke was still expected to impact neighboring communities during the next several days. Early on July 9, the containment increased to 74%. At 6:00 PM PDT, on July 9, the Monticello Fire was 82% contained. At 6:15 PM PDT, on July 10, the Monticello Fire was reported to be 92% contained. On July 12 at 6:00 PM PDT, the wildfire was 100% contained. A total of five injuries were reported from the wildfire. The cause of the Monticello Fire is currently under investigation.

Bully Fire

On July 11, at 3:37 PM PDT, the Bully fire was ignited off Plantina Road in Shasta County.[26] The fire quickly spread to 700 acres (280 ha), and it was only 5% contained. During the next day, dry weather coupled with a heat wave allowed to fire to advance to 1,800 acres (730 ha), prompting mandatory evacuations to be issued for the region, as well as several miles of road closures. During the next few days, the wildfire exploded to 8,700 acres (3,500 ha), prompting additional evacuations, since the wildfire was only 25% contained. A couple of days later, the Bully Fire reached 11,700 acres (4,700 ha), but the containment also increased to 45%. By July 18, the wildfire had expanded further to 12,661 acres (5,124 ha), with the containment only at 65%. During the next few days, containment gradually increased to 95%, before progress stalled on July 22. However, the increase in containment allowed the road closures and the evacuation orders to be lifted. During the next 4 days, firefighting efforts continued to slowly extinguish the Bully Fire, until full containment of the perimeter was achieved on July 26, at 8:00 PM PDT. Fire patrols lingered for the next couple of days to work on extinguishing the blaze, and on July 28, the Bully Fire was reported to be 100% controlled.[26] During its duration, the Bully Fire destroyed a total of 20 residential structures.[26] A total of 21 injuries were also reported.[26] The damage caused by the wildfire is currently unknown. The ignition source of the Bully Fire has been determined to be human-caused.[26]

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.[27] 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.[28]

Happy Camp Complex

On August 12, at 1:00 AM PDT, lightning strikes in Northern California ignited the Happy Camp Complex.[29] During the next couple of weeks, the wildfire gradually expanded to 22,926 acres (9,278 ha). However, during the next 4 weeks, the wildfire quickly spread to 130,496 acres (52,810 ha) by September 19, making the Happy Camp Complex the largest wildfire of the 2014 California wildfire season. The wildfire also ignited smaller spot fires to the northwest of the main fire, all the way up to a couple miles of the California-Oregon border. On September 21, the fire complex was 80% contained. On September 22, the Happy Camp Complex expanded to 131,996 acres (53,417 ha), but the containment remained at 85%. During the next 2 weeks, the Happy Camp Complex gradually increased in size, reaching 135,369 acres (54,782 ha) on September 27; however, the containment of the fire complex also reached 97% on the same day.[29] On October 21, it was reported that the containment of the Happy Camp Complex still remained at 97%.[29] On October 31, the Happy Camp Complex was finally extinguished by precipitation from a winter storm that was moving through California. The Happy Camp Complex is estimated to have caused a total of $86.7 million (2014 USD) in damage.[29]

Meadow Fire

Main article: Meadow Fire

Gulch Fire

On September 10, a car fire started a fire in the Bella Vista area.[30] On September 16, the Gulch Fire was fully contained after burning 1,375 acres (556 ha).[31] The wildfire has also injured a total of 4 people.[31] The damage caused by the Gulch Fire is currently unknown.

King Fire

Main article: King Fire

Boles Fire

Main article: Boles Fire

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Repard, Pauline (May 24, 2014). "County estimates wildfire costs at nearly $60 million". San Diego Union Tribune.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3895/
  3. ↑ http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_stats?year=2014
  4. ↑ http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current
  5. ↑ London, Christina (May 15, 2014). "Body Found in Ashes of Carlsbad Fire". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.weather.com/news/update/airtanker-crashes-wildfire-yosemite-national-park-pilot-20141008
  7. ↑ Medina, Jennifer (May 15, 2014). "Fire Season Starts Early, and Fiercely". New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Colby Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ehrenfreund, Max (January 17, 2014). "Colby fire continues to burn above Glendora outside Los Angeles". Washington Post. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Martinez, Michael; Hanna, Jason (January 16, 2014). "Police: Campfire leads to L.A.-area fire that destroys 2 homes; 3 in custody". CNN. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ Miles, Kathleen (January 16, 2014). "Smoke From Colby Fire Is Visible From Space". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Lovett, Ian (January 16, 2014). "3 Campers Linked to Fire Are Arrested in California". New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Colby Fire suspects will face federal charges - source". KABC-TV. January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  14. ↑ Jahad, Shirley (January 29, 2014). "Colby Fire: Man accused of starting fire ordered into residential drug treatment". KPCC, Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  15. ↑ Lloyd, Jonathan; Moore, Irene (May 16, 2014). "Two Accused of Starting 1,900-Acre Colby Fire Found Guilty". nbclosangeles.com. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Etiwanda Fire burns into second day; 53 percent containment". KPCC, Southern California public radio. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Etiwanda Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  18. ↑ http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=957
  19. ↑ "Hunters Fire". CalFire. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  20. ↑ http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3805425
  21. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/FortHunterLiggett/posts/877793182234525
  22. ↑ http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=988
  23. ↑ "Banner Fire now 40 percent contained; 2 homes lost in fire near Julian". ABC 10 News. July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Incident information: Banner Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  25. ↑ http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=995
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1001
  27. ↑ "Sand Fire Incident Information". Cal Fire. August 2, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Sand - Amador". YubaNet.com. August 4, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4078/
  30. ↑ http://www.redding.com/news/local-news/gulch-fire-declared-contained Record Searchlight
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1053

External links

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