During 2002, 8,328 wildfires burned of land in the US state of California.

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 Below is a list of fires that exceeded or caused a notable amount of damage during the 2002 fire season. The list is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires. Name County Acres Km Start date Contained Date NotesGreenRiversideFebruary 9, 2002February 13, 2002GavilanSan DiegoFebruary 10, 2002February 15, 200243 buildings destroyed, 13 buildings damagedNicholasMaderaMarch 16, 2002March 16, 2002AlisoSan DiegoMarch 21, 2002March 22, 2002BouquetLos AngelesMay 11, 2002May 13, 2002MateoSan DiegoMay 13, 2002May 13, 2002State 925RiversideMay 13, 2002May 15, 2002 AhlemMercedMay 23, 2002May 23, 2002 ArrowheadSan BernardinoMay 31, 2002June 5, 2002 WolfVenturaJune 1, 2002June 14, 2002 6 structures destroyedCopperLos AngelesJune 5, 2002June 12, 2002 26 structures destroyedSkywayButteJune 8, 2002June 9, 2002 DavisSan Luis ObispoJune 9, 2002June 9, 2002 ForksSiskiyouJune 12, 2002June 15, 2002 BluecutSan BernardinoJune 16, 2002June 22, 2002 BorelKernJune 15, 2002June 17, 200219 structures destroyedSudden RanchSanta BarbaraJune 17, 2002June 19, 20021 structure destroyedCopoLos AngelesJune 18, 2002June 21, 20021 structures destroyedVieuxAlamedaJune 18, 2002June 18, 2002TroySan DiegoJune 19, 2002June 22, 20023 buildings destroyed, 1 damagedStageTulareJune 22, 2002June 22, 2002 LouisianaSan BernardinoJune 26, 2002June 30, 20027 buildings destroyedCottonwoodMercedJuly 4, 2002July 4, 2002 596LassenJuly 12, 2002July 13, 2002 GarnetSan DiegoJuly 13, 2002July 16, 2002 MussoliniSiskiyouJuly 13, 2002July 16, 2002 Sour BiscuitDel NorteJuly 13, 2002August 2, 2002 Inyo ComplexInyoJuly 15, 2002July 16, 2002 Horse ComplexLassenJuly 15, 2002July 15, 2002 Highway 58San Luis ObispoJuly 18, 2002July 19, 20026 structures destroyedDeerKernJuly 21, 2002July 24, 200294 structures destroyedMcNallyTulareJuly 21, 2002September 3, 200217 structures destroyedStanzaSiskiyouJuly 26, 2002August 2, 20023 firefighters killedPinesSan DiegoJuly 29, 2002August 16, 2002160 structures destroyed, 4 damaged; caused by damaged electric power linesFort Hunter LiggettMontereyAugust 10, 2002August 11, 2002 CurveLos AngelesSeptember 1, 2002September 5, 200273 structures destroyedFreewayLos AngelesSeptember 1, 2002September 3, 2002 LeonaLos AngelesSeptember 3, 2002September 6, 200216 structures destroyedMountainLos AngelesSeptember 9, 2002September 11, 2002 OasisLos AngelesSeptember 14, 2002September 14, 2002 SierraPlacerSeptember 18, 2002September 18, 200221 structures destroyedWilliamsLos AngelesSeptember 22, 2002October 7, 200277 structures destroyedCroySanta ClaraSeptember 23, 2002September 28, 200234 structures destroyed, 4 damagedConeLassenSeptember 26, 2002September 30, 2002 SixteenYoloOctober 1, 2002October 2, 2002 PlumEl DoradoNovember 26, 2002November 28, 2002 PineMendocinoNovember 26, 2002November 28, 20027 structures destroyed

Gallery of maps

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