In 2024, a total of 8,110 wildfires burned a cumulative throughout the U.S. state of California. The total number of wildfires was slightly higher than the five-year average, while the total number of acres burned was lower. Wildfires destroyed a total of 1,837 structures and killed one person in the state in 2024. This season had the most burned acres since the 2021 wildfire season.
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.
Summary By the end of spring (June 20), the total area burned by wildfires in California was nearly . This early spike in activity was primarily from wind-driven grass fires, more than 30 of which occurred on several days in mid-June with low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds.
The first and only wildfire fatality of the year in California occurred on July 8, when the Mina Fire burned a home. This makes the 2024 season have the lowest number of wildfire deaths in a season since 2013.
During late July, the total area burned during the 2024 wildfire season saw significant growth due in part to long periods of hot, dry weather. These conditions allowed several fires to grow rapidly in size, such as the Park Fire, in Butte and Tehama counties, and the Borel Fire, in Sequoia National Forest. By July 29, more than had burned across the state.
Fire activity decreased during August, but a long period of extreme heat across the Western United States during early September allowed numerous wildfires across the state to grow rapidly, such as the Line Fire, the Bridge Fire, and the Airport Fire in Southern California. Later in September, fire activity again decreased due to improved fire weather.
While numerous storms in Northern California significantly slowed fire activity in November and December, dry conditions and multiple rounds of Santa Ana Winds led to multiple wildfires in Southern California, such as the Mountain and Franklin fires.
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties. + NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesSchoolKern1,479 RobertsMonterey7,030Burned in Camp Roberts.HillSanta Barbara1,383 FirebaughMadera1,300CorralSan Joaquin14,168Destroyed one home and injured two firefighters. Prompted highway closures and evacuation orders near Tracy.WestKern1,576 RoadKern1,076 LostKern3,281 Bear San Luis Obispo1,410 Junes Butte1,056 Destroyed one structure.PostLos Angeles, Ventura15,563 Began near Gorman, burned parallel to Interstate 5; caused the evacuation of ~1,200 people in nearby recreation areas. Destroyed one structure, injured one person.HesperiaSan Bernardino1,078 PointSonoma1,207Prompted evacuations of some 400 residents northwest of Dry Creek Valley. Caused one injury and destroyed three structures. SitesColusa19,195 AeroCalaveras5,285Caused evacuations in both Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, damaged one structure and destroyed three. ApacheButte691Prompted evacuations in Butte County. A firefighter was injured, and the fire destroyed 14 structures and damaged two. Fresno June Lightning ComplexFresno10,616Consisted of the Flash, Bolt, Hog, and other fires. Ignited by lightning. Destroyed one structure.BasinFresno14,023Prompted evacuations in the Kirch Flat Campground and Balch Camp area. MccainSan Diego1,595Prompted evacuations near Jacumba and caused one civilian injury.ThompsonButte3,789Caused evacuations in parts of Oroville and Kelly Ridge. Destroyed 26 structures, damaged eight. Two people were injured. Started by arson.AirlineSan Benito1,295Caused one injury.ShellySiskiyou15,520Eight firefighters were injured.OliveKern1,310FrenchMariposa908Destroyed 11 structures, damaged seven, and caused four injuries.LakeSanta Barbara38,664Destroyed four structures, damaged one, and injured seven firefighters.NorthModoc4,685VistaSan Bernardino2,936Caused the evacuation of the Mt. Baldy ski resortMinaMendocino98Resulted in one fatality and destroyed two structures.HurricaneSan Luis Obispo, Kern12,703 WhiteKern5,562 SQF Lightning ComplexTulare33,026Contained the Trout and Long fires. The Trout and Long fires burned within the Domeland Wilderness.RanchoKern9,637 RimLassen1,025 Lost HillsKern4,032Crossed over and shut down a portion of Interstate 5 near Lost Hills.HillHumboldt7,224 Caused 5 injuriesHappyFresno12,543Burned in the Monarch Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. Started by lightning.RidgeLake, Colusa2,756 EagleRiverside1,710 HawardenRiverside527Destroyed seven homes and damaged eighteen more in Riverside. Started by fireworks. Gold ComplexPlumas3,007Comprised the Smith and Mill fires. MetzMonterey1,100 ApacheVentura1,538 BorelKern59,288Destroyed 223 structures and damaged 29. Prompted evacuations in Kern County and destroyed the historic community of Havilah.ParkButte, Tehama429,603Fourth largest wildfire in California history. Destroyed 709 structures and damaged 54, including parts of the community of Cohasset, California. Started by arson.San Clemente IslandLos Angeles13,000 Burned more than one-third of San Clemente Island, damaging electrical infrastructure for the naval base there. NixonRiverside, San Diego5,222 Forced evacuations near Anza. Destroyed 23 structures and damaged three. Human caused. PedroMariposa, Tuolumne3,815Destroyed two structures.Coffee PotTulare14,104Burned in Sequoia National Park. Injured three firefighters. Started by lightning.Edgehill San Bernardino54Destroyed six structures and damaged three. CrozierEl Dorado1,938 BoiseHumboldt, Siskiyou12,967Burned in Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests.BearSierra3,323BooneFresno, Monterey17,600Prompted evacuations in Fresno and Monterey Counties.ChimineasSan Luis Obispo1,200LineSan Bernardino43,978Prompted evacuation orders in parts of Highland and the entire community of Running Springs. Destroyed one structure and injured six firefighters. Started by arson.RoblarSan Diego1,000Burned in Camp Pendleton.BoylesLake81Destroyed 33 residential structures and 80 vehicles in Clearlake.BridgeLos Angeles, San Bernardino56,030Burned in the Angeles National Forest. Prompted evacuation orders for Wrightwood and Mount Baldy Village. Destroyed 81 structures and injured eight firefighters. Cause under investigation.AirportOrange, Riverside23,526Began in Trabuco Canyon. Evacuations were along Ortega Highway and in surrounding areas. Destroyed 160 structures. Two civilians and 20 firefighters were injured. Started by equipment use.ShoeShasta5,124Burned in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Injured one firefighter. Human-caused.GabilanMonterey1,200Burned in Fort Hunter Liggett.HorseshoeInyo4,537Began in Inyo National Forest. Was declared contained on November 14 before reigniting under strong winds late November 22. Destroyed two homes and six outbuildings.MountainVentura19,904Destroyed 243 structures and damaged 127 near Camarillo. Injured five civilians and one firefighter.FranklinLos Angeles4,037Destroyed 20 structures and damaged 28 in Malibu.
Gallery of maps
See also 2024 United States wildfires 2024 Kern County wildfires
Notes
References