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2009 California wildfires

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox wildfire

| title = 2009 California wildfires

| image = CA-wildfires-08-2009.jpg

| caption = Detail from a MODIS satellite image of the Station Fire, on August 29, 2009.

| reference = {{cite web|title=National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State 2009|url=http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2009_statssumm/fires_acres.pdf|website=National Interagency Fire Center|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-date=27 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627145539/https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2009_statssumm/fires_acres.pdf|url-status=dead}}

| total_fires = 9,159

| cost = >$307.4 million (2009 USD){{cite web|url=http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/2009Summary.pdf|title=CAL FIRE 2009 Wildland Fire Summary|publisher=CalFire|date=September 2011|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118220058/http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/2009Summary.pdf|url-status=dead}}

| total_area = {{convert|422,147|acre|km2}}

| injuries = At least 134

| fatalities = 4 firefighters

| is_season = yes

| year = 2009

| season_name = California wildfires

}}

9,159 wildfires were active in the US state of California during 2009.[http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current Current Fire Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220230721/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current |date=2011-02-20 }}. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Accessed October 29, 2009. The fires burned more than {{convert|422,147|acre|mi2 km2|0}} of land from early February through late November, due to Red Flag conditions, destroying hundreds of structures, injuring 134 people, and killing four.{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/wildfire-spreads-along-241-toll-road-just-east-of-anahiem-hills.html |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Wildfire spreads along 241 toll road just east of Anaheim Hills [Updated] |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2009 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Wildland Fire Accidents and Fatalities by Year|url=http://www.nifc.gov/safety/reports/year.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917060451/http://www.nifc.gov/safety/reports/year.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2008|website=National Interagency Fire Center|access-date=28 August 2015}} 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 {{convert|160577|acre|mi2 km2|0}} of land as well as the death of two firefighters. Another large fire was the La Brea Fire, which burned nearly {{convert|90000|acre|mi2 km2|0}} in Santa Barbara County earlier in the month. A state of emergency was also declared for the {{convert|7800|acre|mi2 km2|0|adj=on}} Lockheed Fire in Santa Cruz County, to the north.

Fires

Below is a list of all fires that exceeded {{convert|1000|acre|km2}} during the 2009 fire season.{{cite web|title=Large Fires 2009|url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentstatsevents_178.pdf|website=CAL FIRE|access-date=20 August 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023031/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/pub/cdf/images/incidentstatsevents_178.pdf|url-status=dead}} The list is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Name

! County

! Acres

! Km{{sup|2}}

! Start Date

! Contained Date

! Notes

JesusitaSanta Barbara{{convert|8733|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}May 5, 2009May 20, 2009160 structures destroyed
GrouseMariposa{{convert|3047|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}May 30, 2009July 13, 2009
HardenTuolumne{{convert|1661|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}June 8, 2009July 11, 2009
ExplosiveSan Joaquin{{convert|2163|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}June 19, 2009June 19, 2009
Lion ComplexTulare{{convert|3988|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}June 30, 2009August 21, 2009
BackboneTrinity{{convert|6324|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}July 1, 2009July 24, 20091 fatality
YankeeSan Diego{{convert|2200|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}July 11, 2009July 14, 2009
ForkInyo{{convert|3268|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}July 18, 2009July 27, 2009
TennantSiskiyou{{convert|3225|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}July 19, 2009July 27, 2009
KnightTuolumne{{convert|6130|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}July 26, 2009August 11, 2009
WildcatTuolumne{{convert|1100|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}July 29, 2009August 31, 2009
Hat Creek ComplexShasta{{convert|11269|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 1, 2009August 12, 2009
W-4Lassen{{convert|1500|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 1, 2009August 7, 2009
Dodge ComplexLassen{{convert|1600|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 1, 2009August 3, 2009
BrownShasta{{convert|1000|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 2, 2009August 12, 2009
FairfieldShasta{{convert|1664|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 2, 2009August 21, 2009
Chalk (Shu Complex)Shasta{{convert|6895|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 3, 2009August 16, 2009
Goose (Shu Complex)Shasta{{convert|3918|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 3, 2009August 17, 2009
Cassel (Shu Complex)Shasta{{convert|6319|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 3, 2009August 14, 2009
La BreaSanta Barbara{{convert|89489|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 8, 2009August 23, 20092 structures destroyed
LockheedSanta Cruz{{convert|7817|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 12, 2009August 23, 200913 structures destroyed
CoffinTrinity{{convert|1300|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 12, 2009August 15, 2009
CorralSan Joaquin{{convert|12200|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 13, 2009August 16, 2009
YubaYuba{{convert|3891|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 14, 2009August 24, 2009
Red RockSiskiyou{{convert|1364|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 21, 2009September 4, 2009
MorrisLos Angeles{{convert|2168|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 25, 2009September 3, 2009
BrysonMonterey{{convert|3383|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 25, 2009August 29, 2009
StationLos Angeles{{convert|160577|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 26, 2009October 16, 2009209 structures destroyed; 2 firefighter fatalities
Big MeadowsMariposa{{convert|7425|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 26, 2009September 10, 2009
GloriaMonterey{{convert|6437|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 27, 2009September 1, 2009
CottonwoodRiverside{{convert|2409|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 27, 2009August 31, 2009
PachecoSanta Clara{{convert|1600|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 29, 2009August 30, 2009
Oak Glen IIISan Bernardino{{convert|1159|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}August 30, 2009September 8, 2009
OasisLake{{convert|1500|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}September 7, 2009September 12, 2009
GuibersonVentura{{convert|17500|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}September 22, 2009October 1, 2009
SixYolo{{convert|1235|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}October 1, 2009October 1, 2009
SheepSan Bernardino{{convert|7128|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}October 3, 2009October 10, 2009
Mill Creek #4Humboldt{{convert|2750|acres|km2|1|disp=tablecen}}October 7, 2009October 17, 2009

Weather conditions

File:Aug2009 LA Fire.jpg cloud from the Station Fire towers over the skyline of downtown Los Angeles, California.]]

Invasive, non-native vegetation dies and re-sprouts year after year creating an unnatural buildup of dead plant material.{{cite web |url=http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr042_6.html |title=Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants |last1=Zouhar |first1=Kristin |last2=Smith |first2=Jane Kapler |last3=Sutherland |first3=Steve |last4=Brooks |first4=Matthew L. |date=2008 |publisher=[United States Forest Service] |access-date=February 17, 2011}} While periodic fires are natural, and many native plants depend upon fire to reproduce;{{cite web |last1=Ainsworth |first1=Jack |last2=Doss |first2=Troy Alan |title=Natural History of Fire & Flood Cycles |date=1995 |publisher=California Coastal Commission |url=http://www.coastal.ca.gov/fire/ucsbfire.html |access-date=February 17, 2011}} 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.

{{wide image|2009 California Wildfires at JPL - Pasadena, California.jpg|850px|2009 California Wildfires at NASA/JPL showing the tinder-dry fuel being quickly consumed and aerial firefighting efforts to stop the blaze.}}

Notable fires

File:Los Angeles 2009 fires.jpg.]]

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 {{convert|12500|acre|mi2 km2|0}} of dry grass before being fully contained on August 16.{{cite web |title=Corral Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=363 |date=August 18, 2009 |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |access-date=September 3, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090824000106/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=363| archive-date= August 24, 2009 | url-status= live}}{{cite news |last=Salonga |first=Robert. |date=August 17, 2009 |title=Corral fire fully contained after burning 12,500 acres |newspaper=Contra Costa Times |url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/livermore/ci_13143709 |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001425/http://www.insidebayarea.com/livermore/ci_13143709 |url-status=dead }}

==Mariposa County==

File:BigMeadowFire.jpg.]]

  • 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 {{convert|7425|acre|mi2 km2|0}} 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.{{cite web |title=Big Meadow Wildfire |url=http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1869/ |date=September 4, 2009 |publisher=InciWeb (United States Forest Service) |access-date=September 5, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} This blaze was the result of a prescribed burn gone out of control, leading some to question the judgment of Park authorities.{{cite web |title=A Note From Yosemite's Superintendent |url=http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9328/ |date=August 29, 2009 |publisher=InciWeb (United States Forest Service) |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917064007/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9328/ |url-status=dead }}

==Placer County==

  • The Mammoth Fire started on July 16 and burned {{convert|643|acre|km2|0}} in the American River Canyon and Mammoth Bar Recreation Area east of Auburn before it was contained on July 18.{{cite web|author=CalFIRE |author-link=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |title=Mammoth Fire Fire Incident Information |date=July 18, 2009 |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=340 |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720065454/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=340 |archive-date=July 20, 2009 |url-status=live }} 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 {{convert|30|acre|m2}} 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.{{cite web|author=CalFIRE |author-link=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |title=Foresthill Fire Fire Incident Information |date=August 28, 2009 |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=375 |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830183303/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=375 |archive-date=August 30, 2009 |url-status=live }} 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 {{convert|343|acre|mi2 km2|1}}, 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.{{cite web |title=Forty Nine (49) Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=380 |date=September 2, 2009 |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) |access-date=September 3, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090904020700/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=380| archive-date= September 4, 2009 | url-status= live}} The fire began along the east side of Highway 49, which led to the name 49 Fire. The fire quickly spread north and east.{{cite web |author=Placer County Community Development Department |title=Aerial photo & map of 49 Fire |url=http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/~/media/cdr/49_Fire/Aerial_FortyNineFire.ashx |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921134213/http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/~/media/cdr/49_Fire/Aerial_FortyNineFire.ashx |archive-date=September 21, 2009 |url-status=dead }} (map) The fire spread so quickly that some residents barely escaped their burning homes.{{cite web |title=Fox40 News: Couple Tours Their Burned Out Home |date=28 August 2018 |publisher=Fox 40 KTXL |location=Sacramento |url=http://www.fox40.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=98a89913-422a-4c9f-8385-a208db1922e3&cat=empty&src=front&title=FOX40%20NEWS:%20Couple%20Tours%20Their%20Burned%20Out%20Home | access-date=September 12, 2009 }} Auburn Municipal Airport was closed during the fire, which burned right up to the runway. The fire's cause is arson.{{citation needed |date=January 2011}} The arsonist lit a second fire just east of the original fire 20 minutes after the first fire.{{citation needed |date=January 2011}} This added to the destruction and fire spread.{{cite web |title=Firefighters Fully Contain the 49 Fire |last1=Thomas |first1=Ayesha |last2=Johnson |first2=C. |date=September 1, 2009 |publisher=KXTV (ABC Channel 10) |url=http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66138 |access-date=September 3, 2009}}{{citation|url=http://www.theunion.com/article/20090831/NEWS/908309990/1053/NONE&parentprofile=1053 |title=Auburn blaze: arson possible |newspaper=The Union |place=Grass Valley, California |date=August 31, 2009 |first1=Liz |last1=Kellar |first2=Trina |last2=Kleist |first3=Dave |last3=Moller |access-date=August 31, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915225715/http://www.theunion.com/article/20090831/NEWS/908309990/1053/NONE%26parentprofile%3D1053 |archive-date=September 15, 2009 }} 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.{{cite web |last=Gabbert |first=Bill |title=Lockheed fire near Santa Cruz, CA |date=August 13, 2009 |publisher=Wildfire Today |url=http://www.wildfiretoday.com/2009/08/13/lockheed-fire-near-santa-cruz-ca |access-date=September 3, 2009}}{{cite web |last1=Squires |first1=Jennifer |last2=Jones |first2=Donna |last3=Alexander |first3=Kurtis |last4=Kelly |first4=Cathy |last5=Bookwalter |first5=Genevieve |last6=Walsh |first6=Austin |title=Lockheed Fire update: No containment; Bonny Doon evacuated; McCrary home saved |date=August 13, 2009 |publisher=Santa Cruz Sentinel |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13052532 |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016211507/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13052532 |archive-date=October 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} A total of {{convert|7817|acre|mi2 km2|0}} burned and thirteen structures were destroyed, including four seasonal cabins but no primary residences. No cause has been identified.{{cite web |title=Lockheed Fire Incident Information |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=361 |date=August 23, 2009 |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |access-date=September 3, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090907141713/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=361| archive-date= September 7, 2009 | url-status= live}} The communities of Swanton and Bonny Doon were evacuated and a state of emergency was declared by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi on August 14.{{cite web |title=State of Emergency As Lockheed Fire Rages |url=http://cbs5.com/local/bonny.doon.fire.2.1128496.html |date=August 14, 2009 |publisher=KPIX-TV (CBS Channel 5) |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817231914/http://cbs5.com/local/bonny.doon.fire.2.1128496.html |archive-date=2009-08-17 |url-status=dead }} State fire crews achieved 100% containment on August 23, at a cost of {{US$|26.6 million}}. 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.{{cite web |last=Bookwalter |first=Genevieve |title=Scientists excited about new rare plants: recent flames could prompt explosion of manzanita species found nowhere else |date=August 19, 2009 |publisher=Santa Cruz Sentinel |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13156080 |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825184512/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13156080 |archive-date=August 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
  • The Bryson Fire started from a mobile home fire on Bryson-Hesperia Road in the Monterey County town of Lockwood. It burned {{convert|3383|acre|mi2 km2|0}} and five structures, including three homes, between August 26 and August 28.{{cite web |title=Bryson Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=368 |date=August 28, 2009 |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |access-date=September 3, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090917163327/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=368| archive-date= September 17, 2009 | url-status= live}}{{cite web |title=Firefighters battling fierce heat, dry fuels in 4,000-acre Bryson Fire |url=http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=11002937 |date=August 28, 2009 |publisher=KSBY-TV (NBC Channel 6) |access-date=September 3, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • The Gloria Fire began on August 27 along Camphora Gloria Road near the town of Soledad. It burned {{convert|6437|acre|mi2 km2|0}} 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.{{cite web |title=Gloria Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=374 |date=August 31, 2009 |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |access-date=September 3, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090830183258/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=374| archive-date= August 30, 2009 | url-status= live}} 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.{{cite web |title=CAL FIRE investigators focus on vineyard as cause of Gloria Fire near Soledad |last=Solana |first=Kimber. |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090901/NEWS01/909010305 |date=September 1, 2009 |publisher=The Californian |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907131554/http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090901/NEWS01/909010305 |archive-date=2009-09-07 |url-status=dead }}
  • The Loma Fire (October 25–27), {{convert|669|acre|mi2 km2}} (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.[http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=402 Loma Fire Incident Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029161553/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=402 |date=2009-10-29 }}. CAL FIRE. Accessed October 28, 2009 High winds contributed to the spread in the Summit area of the Santa Cruz Mountains in an area which had {{convert|6|in|mm}} of rain on October 13.[http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13635655 600-acre Loma Fire now 20 percent contained] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027094304/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13635655 |date=2009-10-27 }}. Santa Cruz Sentinel. October 25, 2009.NOAA-17 [http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_California/2009/FSHScalifornia299_N7L.jpg satellite image of Loma Fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927162323/http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_California/2009/FSHScalifornia299_N7L.jpg |date=2011-09-27 }}. [http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_California/2009/FSHScalifornia299_N7.jpg hi res] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927162335/http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_California/2009/FSHScalifornia299_N7.jpg |date=2011-09-27 }}

==Yuba County==

  • The Yuba Fire was started after a red-tailed hawk flew into a power line on August 14, and burned {{convert|3891|acre|mi2 km2|0}} 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.{{cite web |title=Yuba Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=364 |date=August 23, 2009 |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |access-date=September 3, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090823233901/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=364| archive-date= August 23, 2009 | url-status= live}}{{cite news |last=Grigsby |first=Jared. |title=Difficult terrain works against Calif. fire crews |date=August 16, 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4rSxtb6hFEjzSiMFwAKeOSyEC9gD9A3RCB80 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819234133/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4rSxtb6hFEjzSiMFwAKeOSyEC9gD9A3RCB80 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 19, 2009 |agency=Associated Press| access-date=September 3, 2009 }}

=Southern California=

==Los Angeles County==

  • The Morris Fire (August 25 – September 3, {{convert|2168|acre|mi2 km2|0}}) began near Morris Dam in the Angeles National Forest.{{cite web |title=Morris Fire |url=http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1852/ |date=September 3, 2009 |publisher=InciWeb (United States Forest Service) |access-date=September 5, 2009 |archive-date=December 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223231550/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1852/ |url-status=dead }} This fire is thought to have been caused by arson.{{cite web |title=Morris Fire was arson, official says |url=http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_13235066 |date=August 30, 2009 |publisher=Pasadena Star-News |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908063757/http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_13235066 |archive-date=2009-09-08 |url-status=dead }}
  • The Station Fire (August 26 – October 16, {{convert|160577|acre|mi2 km2|0}}, 209 structures destroyed, including 89 homes)[http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9640/ Station Fire Update Sept. 27, 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917070457/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9640/ |date=2016-09-17 }}. InciWeb. Accessed September 28, 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161059/http://inciweb.org/incident/article/9640/ Archived] September 30, 2009. started in the Angeles National Forest near the U.S. Forest Service ranger station on the Angeles Crest Highway (State Highway 2).{{cite web|title=New fire breaks out near Angeles Crest Highway; forces road closure |url=http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/rds_search/ci_13209642?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com |date=August 26, 2009 |publisher=Pasadena Star-News |access-date=September 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908063659/http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/rds_search/ci_13209642?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com |archive-date=September 8, 2009 }}{{cite web |title=Station Fire |url=http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1856/ |date=September 4, 2009 |publisher=InciWeb (United States Forest Service) |access-date=September 5, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090904003251/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1856/| archive-date= September 4, 2009 | url-status= live}} 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.{{cite web |title=Firefighters Killed in 'Station Fire' Remembered |url=http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-firefighters-bio,0,7708207.story |date=September 1, 2009 |publisher=KTLA-TV (Channel 5) |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724101900/http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-firefighters-bio,0,7708207.story |url-status=dead }}

==San Bernardino County==

  • The Sheep Fire (October 3–10, {{convert|7128|acre|mi2 km2|1}}) 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 {{convert|0.3|mi|m|adj=on}} 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.[http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1910/ Sheep Fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917065252/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1910/ |date=2016-09-17 }}. Oct 10, 2009. InciWeb Below-freezing temperatures in the mountain areas helped fire crews in containment on October 6.{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/10/belowfreezing-temps-help-in-fight-against-sheep-fire.html |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Below-freezing temps help in fight against Sheep fire [Updated] |date=October 6, 2009 |access-date=October 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008213417/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/10/belowfreezing-temps-help-in-fight-against-sheep-fire.html |archive-date=October 8, 2009 |url-status=live }} Suppression costs {{as of|2009|10|9|lc=on}}: $7,977,000.[http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9742/ Sheep Fire Update Friday October 9 8:00 Am] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917063924/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/9742/ |date=2016-09-17 }}. InciWeb.

==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 {{convert|8733|acre|km2}}, destroyed 80 homes and damaged 15 more before being 100% contained.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php |title=CAL FIRE - Home |access-date=2014-05-30 |archive-date=2015-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914182345/http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php |url-status=dead }}
  • The La Brea Fire began near La Brea Creek in Santa Barbara County, inside of Los Padres National Forest.{{cite news |last=Womack |first=Sam. |date=August 17, 2009 |title=Crews work into the night to corral wildfire |newspaper=Santa Maria Times |url=http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/08/17/news/news02.txt| access-date=September 3, 2009 }} The fire burned {{convert|89489|acre|mi2 km2|0}} of chaparral between August 8 and August 22, but only destroyed two structures—a cabin and an unused ranger station.{{cite web |title=La Brea Fire |url=http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1803/ |date=September 1, 2009 |publisher=InciWeb (United States Forest Service) |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917053731/http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/1803/ |url-status=dead }}

==Ventura County==

  • The Guiberson Fire in Ventura County has burnt an estimated {{convert|8500|acre|km2}}, 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 {{convert|17500|acre|km2}}. The cause of the fire is still unknown.{{cite news

|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/23/california.fire/

|title= State of emergency declared in California wildfire

|publisher=CNN

|date=September 23, 2009

|access-date=September 23, 2009

}}

References

{{reflist|35em}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current Current Fire Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220230721/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current |date=2011-02-20 }}. CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection)
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726053029/http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_California/2009/FSHScalifornia243_G11L.jpg 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. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726053049/http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_California/2009/FSHScalifornia243_G11.jpg Higher res image 1280 x 1024]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20100722164354/http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_Plains/2009/FSHScanadaUsa246_G11L.jpg West coast wildfire smoke covering US Plains and Great Lakes states], 9/3/2009. NOAA satellite image. Retrieved September 7, 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100722163521/http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_Plains/2009/FSHScanadaUsa246_G11.jpg Higher res image 1280 x 1024]

{{California wildfires}}

California, 2009

Category:Wildfires in California by year