|
 
Statewide Fire and Lightening Strike Summaries (Cal Fire, 2009)
(click on images to enlarge)
Every year California and other Western states are besieged by wildfires. A combination of factors create favorable fire conditions—accumulating fuel from 150 years of fire suppression policy and practices, weather conditions including global warming, an expanding urban/wildland interface, and human error. In anticipation of yet another challenging fire season in Californa, Governor Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Order on May 5, 2009, boosting the State's wildfire preparedness and resources.
During 2009, between January 1st and August 19th only, there were 5,384 wildfires, with 23 of these considered to be significant (see above wildfires map). The largest fires have been Jesusita Fire (Santa Barbara County), Backbone Fire (Trinity County), Knight Fire (Tuolumne County), La Brea Fire (Santa Barbara County), Lockheed Fire (Santa Cruz County), Hat Creek Complex Fire (Lassen and Shasta Counties), SHU Lightening Fire (Shasta County), and Corral Fire (Alameda County), Station Fire (Los Angeles County), Gloria Fire (San Benito County), and Guiberson Fire (Ventura County).
The cost of fighting wildfires continues to rise and poses a serious issue for California Here are numerical wildfire summaries for previous years since 2004:
California Fire Facts
•2007 Fire Summary
• 2006 Fire Summary (2006 Fire Causes)
•2005 Fire Summary
• 2004 Fire Suammry
• 20 Largest Fires By Acres Burned
• 20 Largest Fires Causing Structural Damage
• Lightening Fires, 1984-2008
California Fire Background Information
•Statewide Fire Plan
•Fire and Emergency Response
•Fire Terminology
• How Fires Get Their Names
Photo by Spencr Wirner, May 8, 2009
Firefighting plane makes a drop on the Jesusita Santa Barbara fire
Photo by Robert Gauthier, May 9, 2009
Members of Vandenburg Wildcats Hot Shot Crew near Jesusita Santa Barbara fire line
Photo by Anne Cusack, May 10, 2009 (Los Angeles Times)
Remnants of Jesusita Santa Barbara Fire from La Vista Road
San Diego County Fire Facts - - 2009
Fires
Date Started: May 22, 2009
Date Ended: May 23, 2009
Acres Burned: 65
Location: see map
Date Started: May 24, 2009
Date Ended: May 25, 2009
Acres Burned: 122
Location: see map
- Haybarn Fire (Camp Pendleton Marine Base)
Date Started: June 16, 2009
Date Ended: June 17, 2009
Acres Burned: 102
Date Started: August 26/27, 2009
Date Ended: active
Acres Burned: 1,500
Sources:
Cal Fire. (2007). Cal Fire Home. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Website. Retrieved August 14, 2009 from http://www.fire.ca.gov
Los Angeles Times. (2009). Los Angeles Tiems Website. Retrieved August 14, 2009 from http://www.latimes.com/news/local/
Photo Credits:
Cusack, A. (2009) Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Augusrt 14, 2009 from http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sbfire6-pg,0,5447522.photogallery
Gauthier, R. (2009). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 14, 2009 from http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sbfire6-pg,0,5447522.photogallery
Wirner, S. (2009). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 14, 2009 from http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sbfire6-pg,0,5447522.photogallery
|
