CAL FIRE making progress against historic fires as another heatwave looms
As of Sept. 2, more than 14,200 firefighters continue to battle over 20 major fires and lightning complexes in California. Containment efforts continue to increase despite weather conditions getting warmer and drier. Today more than 18,200 people remain evacuated. But crews work hard towards getting people back into their homes. Over the weekend a team of 10 Israeli firefighters have deployed to California to assist in battling some of the largest wildfires in the state’s history.
Since the lightning siege that started on Saturday, August 15, 2020, there have been nearly 14,000 lightning strikes. During this time-period, there have been more than 900 new wildfires, which have now burned over 1.5 million acres. There have 8 fatalities and over 3,100 structures destroyed.
Several of the wildfires have made the record books
Largest wildfires in CA history:
- SCU Lightning Complex – 2nd
- LNU Lightning Complex – 3rd
Most destructive wildfires in CA history:
- CZU August Lightning Complex – 9th
- LNU Lightning Complex remains – 10th
Deadliest wildfires in CA history:
- LNU Lightning Complex – 19th
Seasonable weather conditions continue to aid firefighters in their efforts towards containment at lower elevations. Above 2,000 feet firefighters are still seeing low humidity with little recovery at night. Warmer and drier conditions are expected into the weekend throughout much of the State. An excessive heat watch is in effect for coastal, inland and the foothill regions. Smoke and poor air quality continue to impact portions of the Southern Sierra.
Californians need to take steps to prevent sparking a wildfire. To learn more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
CAL FIRE Incidents
LNU Lightning Complex Fire, Napa County (more info…)
Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Solano, and Yolo Counties
State DPA, SRA, Napa County
- 375,209 acres, 76% contained
- Hennessey (merged fires) 317,909 acres, 74% contained
- Wallbridge 54,940 acres, 85% contained
- Meyers 2,360 acres, 100% contained
- 1,685 structures destroyed
- Evacuations in place
- CAL FIRE IMT-2 in command
SCU Lightning Complex Fire, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara and Stanislaus Counties (more info…)
Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara and Stanislaus Counties
- 391,578 acres, 72% contained
- 20 fires in the complex, several have merged together
- Canyon/Reservoir (merged) 380,053 acres 65% contained
- Deer 3,104 acres 100% contained
- Evacuations and road closures in place
- 82 structures destroyed
- CAL FIRE IMT-6 in command
CZU August Lightning Fire, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties (more info…)
San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties
- 85,467 acres, 46% contained
- Warnell Fire has now merged into CZU Lightning
- Evacuations in place
- 1,490 structures destroyed
- CAL FIRE IMT-3 is in command
BTU/TGU Lightning Complex Fire, Butte and Glenn Counties (more info…)
Butte, Tehama and Glenn Counties
- 62,109 acres, 40% contained
- Elkhorn 42,500 acres, 42% contained
- Ivory/Doe 16,100 acres, 90% contained
- Potters (5-4) 927 acres, 98% contained
- CAL FIRE IMT-4 in command
River Fire, Monterey County (more info…)
East of Salinas
- 48,088 acres, 97% contained
- 30 structures destroyed
- Repopulation is complete
Carmel Fire, Monterey County (more info…)
South of Carmel
- 6,905 acres, 98% contained
- 73 structures destroyed
- Repopulation is complete
Unified Command Incidents
Sheep Fire, Lassen County
Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Lassen-Modoc Unit
29,522 acres, grass, brush and timber, 71% contained
CAL FIRE Lassen-Modoc Unit and CA IMT 1 (McGowan) in unified command
Federal Incidents
Lake Fire, Los Angeles County (more info…)
Southwest of Lake Hughes
- 31,089 acres, 95% contained
August Complex, Tehama County (more…)
Grindstone Canyon, Elk Creek
- 261,204 acres 20% contained
- Includes the Hull Fire and Doe Fire
Dolan Fire, Monterey County (more info…)
Ventana Wilderness – Los Padres National Forest
- 31,005 acres, 35% contained
Apple Fire, Riverside County (more info…)
Cherry Valley
- 33,424 acres, 95% contained
North Complex Fire, Plumas County (more info…)
Southwest of Susanville – Plumas National Forest
- 33,925 acres, 37% contained
- Evacuations in place
- Includes the Bear and Claremont Fire
- CA IMT Team 1 is in command
Loyalton, Vegetation Fire, Sierra County (more info…)
East of Loyalton – Tahoe National Forest
- 47,029 acres, 93% contained
Red Salmon Complex – Shasta-Trinity National Forest (more info…)
Northeast of Willow Creek, CA
- 26,605 acres, 42% contained
SQF Complex, Tulare County (more info…)
East of Giant Sequoia National Monument/ Golden Trout Wilderness
- 42,574 acres, 1% contained
- Castle and Shotgun Fires merged into this complex
W-5 Cold Springs, Lassen County (more info…)
East of Madeline.
- 84,801 acres, 81% containment
Dome, San Bernardino County (more info…)
Mojave National Preserve
- 43,273 acres, 95% contained
Blue Jay/Wolf Fire, Mariposa County (more info…)
Yosemite National Forest
- 861 acres, 15% contained
Woodward Fire, Marin County (more info…)
Point Reyes National Seashore
- 4,538 acres, 41% contained
Slink Fire, Mono County (more info…) (NEW)
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
- 11,000 acres, 10% contained
Hobo, Vegetation Fire, Trinity County (more info…) (NEW)
Shasta Trinity National Forest
- 150 acres,10% contained