By the end of 2015 a total of 8,745 wildfires were recorded across the state of California, burning . Approximately 3,159 structures were damaged or destroyed by wildfires, and at least 7 fatalities were recorded.
On September 11, after the Butte Fire exploded from a size of to , in the Amador and Calaveras counties, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency.
Background
The timing of "fire season" in California is variable, depending on the amount of prior winter and spring precipitation, the frequency and severity of weather such as heat waves and wind events, and moisture content in vegetation. Northern California typically sees wildfire activity between late spring and early fall, peaking in the summer with hotter and drier conditions. Occasional cold frontal passages can bring wind and lightning. The timing of fire season in Southern California is similar, peaking between late spring and fall. The severity and duration of peak activity in either part of the state is modulated in part by weather events: downslope/offshore wind events can lead to critical fire weather, while onshore flow and Pacific weather systems can bring conditions that hamper wildfire growth.
Nationwide fire season The National Interagency Fire Center reported in mid-August that the 2015 fire season had been the most destructive since 2011. Nationwide, three times as much land, for a total of , had been burned since the 2014 season. By the end of August, in terms of the land area burned, the 2015 nationwide wildfire season had surpassed any other wildfire season in the last 10 years, with burned.
Fatalities The season also proved to be a deadly one for firefighters battling the many blazes throughout the state. A United States Forest Service member from South Dakota died on July 31 from carbon monoxide poisoning, while battling the Frog Fire in the Modoc National Forest. A second firefighter was killed on August 8 by a falling tree, while battling the Sierra Fire south of Echo Summit. A 72-year-old disabled woman was killed in her home by the fast-moving Valley Fire.
List of wildfires Below is a list of all fires that exceeded during the 2015 California wildfire season, as well as the fires that caused significant damage. The information is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires, and other sources where indicated.
Name County Acres Km Start date Containment Date Notes RefRound Inyo February 6, 2015February 12, 2015 Highway RiversideApril 18, 2015April 24, 2015 LakeSan BernardinoJune 17, 2015August 1, 2015 Park HillSan Luis ObispoJune 20, 2015June 24, 2015 NorthSan BernardinoJuly 17, 2015July 21, 2015 7 houses and 44 vehicles destroyedWragg NapaJuly 22, 2015August 6, 2015 RockyLake, Colusa, YoloJuly 29, 2015 August 14, 2015 96 structures destroyedFork ComplexShastaJuly 30, 2015November 3, 2015 Fire areas reopened on the Shasta-Trinity National ForestRiver ComplexTrinityJuly 30, 2015October 29, 2015 Frog LassenJuly 30, 2015August 20, 2015 1 firefighter killedHumboldt LightningHumboldtJuly 30, 2015August 19, 2015 Mad River ComplexHumboldtJuly 30, 2015September 13, 2015 includes Route Complex Fire RoughFresnoJuly 31, 2015November 5, 2015 DodgeLassenAugust 3, 2015August 17, 2015 GasquetDel NorteAugust 3, 2015October 15, 2015 Fires: Feeder (100%), Coon (100%), Bear (100%) and Peak (100% containment) JerusalemLake, NapaAugust 9, 2015August 25, 2015 CabinGlendoraAugust 14, 2015November 20, 2015 5 structures destroyed CuestaSan Luis ObispoAugust 16, 2015August 28, 2015 TeslaAlamedaAugust 19, 2015August 22, 2015 ButteAmadorSeptember 9, 2015 October 1, 2015 2 civilians fatalities475 residences & 343 outbuildings destroyed ValleyLakeSeptember 12, 2015October 15, 2015 4 civilian fatalities, 1,955 structures destroyed; 6th most destructive wildfire in modern California history (as of 2022)TassajaraMontereySeptember 19, 2015September 27, 2015 1 civilian fatalitySolimarVenturaDecember 25, 2015December 29, 2015 1 minor ankle injury
Gallery of maps
See also List of California wildfires 2015 Oregon wildfires 2015 Washington wildfires Climate change in California 2014–15 North American winter
Notes
References
External links
2015 California Fire Map (a Google map created by CAL FIRE) California current incident information from CAL FIRE California wildfires on the US Forestry Incident Information System (InciWeb)