In 2012, 7,950 wildfires burned a total of in the US state of California; these included the massive Rush Fire, which was the tenth-largest wildfire recorded in California in modern times, and the Ponderosa Fire, which destroyed 133 structures. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) incurred fire suppression costs of US$310 million between July 2012 and June 2013, in addition to wildfire damages of $28.2 million.
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.
List of wildfires The following is a list of the wildfires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 hectares), produced significant structural damage or casualties, or were otherwise notable. It is excerpted from Cal Fire's 2012 list of large (≥300 acres) fires, and may not be complete or reflect the most recent information. Name County Acres Km Start date Contained Date NotesBannerSan Diego May 24, 2012 May 29, 2012 GeorgeTulare June 1, 2012 June 15, 2012 GainesMariposa June 12, 2012 June 14, 2012 HighlandRiverside June 16, 2012 June 18, 2012 CascadeMariposa June 16, 2012 November 26, 2012 DaleShasta July 5, 2012 July 7, 2012 2 structures destroyed FishInyo July 7, 2012 July 9, 2012 MillColusa July 7, 2012 July 18, 2012 5 structures destroyed GrapevineColusa July 8, 2012 July 12, 2012 RailColusa July 9, 2012 July 12, 2012 TurkeyMonterey July 9, 2012 July 20, 2012 RobbersPlacer July 11, 2012 July 21, 2012 8 structures destroyed FlatTrinity July 11, 2012 July 17, 2012 SandKern July 14, 2012 July 19, 2012 1 structure destroyed SpanishLassen July 18, 2012 July 21, 2012 ReadingShasta July 23, 2012 August 21, 2012 ChipsPlumas July 29, 2012 August 31, 2012 9 structures destroyed RushmoreRiverside August 4, 2012 August 4, 2012 Piute ComlexKern August 4, 2012 August 11, 2012 Lake ComplexModoc August 5, 2012 August 9, 2012 Fort ComplexSiskiyou August 5, 2012 September 10, 2012 Barry PointModoc August 6, 2012 August 28, 2012 3 structures destroyed IndianMono August 8, 2012 August 15, 2012 ChihuahuaSan Diego August 9, 2012 August 12, 2012 Jawbone ComplexKern August 10, 2012 August 22, 2012 19 structures destroyed RamseyCalaveras August 11, 2012 August 31, 2012 WyeLake August 12, 2012 August 18, 2012 3 structures destroyed WalkerLake August 12, 2012 August 14, 2012 RushLassen August 12, 2012 August 31, 2012 Vallecito Lightning ComplexSan Diego August 13, 2012 August 20, 2012 MillTehama August 13, 2012 August 23, 2012 BuckRiverside August 14, 2012 August 18, 2012 4 structures destroyed NelsonModoc August 17, 2012 August 21, 2012 PonderosaTehama August 18, 2012 September 2, 2012 133 structures destroyed Bagley ComplexShasta August 18, 2012 August 22, 2012 North PassMendocino August 18, 2012 September 16, 2012 26 structures destroyed BagleyShasta August 18, 2012 September 15, 2012 WilliamsLos Angeles September 2, 2012 September 11, 2012 Sixteen ComplexColusa September 4, 2012 September 11, 2012 StaffordTrinity September 5, 2012 September 13, 2012 LikelyLassen September 5, 2012 September 14, 2012 ScottsLake September 7, 2012 September 14, 2012 ShockeySan Diego September 23, 2012 September 27, 2012 39 structures destroyed
Notes
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