California wildfires off to explosive start, burning 30 times as many acres as all of last year

Summer isn’t even half over in California, and wildfires have already scorched more than 763,000 acres, straining firefighting resources, forcing evacuations and destroying homes.

The total dwarfs the average amount burned over the last five years. As of Wednesday morning, 4,665 fires have charred through more than a dozen counties spanning from Siskiyou to San Diego.

The most recent, the Nixon fire in Riverside County, continues to burn out of control. As of Wednesday morning, it was only 5% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Last year’s wildfire season was unusually tame, but there were still 3,746 infernos that burned 25,932 acres — an area nearly the size of San Francisco. In 2022, 7,477 wildfires burned 331,358 acres, according to Cal Fire data.

The Park fire — which started a week ago in Butte County and has spread to Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties — is by itself larger than all the fires in 2022. The fifth-largest wildfire in the state’s history, it has scorched almost 390,000 acres and remains only 18% contained, Cal Fire reported Wednesday.

The 763,425 acres that have burned this year amount to a land mass nearly the size of Rhode Island and mark a 2,816% increase from all of 2023. The fires have destroyed 559 homes and commercial buildings and claimed one life, according to Cal Fire data.

California

California wildfires map

Track wildfire origins, perimeters and air pollution with the L.A. Times California wildfires map.

July 29, 2021

“The numbers are a stark reminder: 95% of wildfires are caused by humans,” Cal Fire wrote in a post on the social media platform X. “Stay vigilant ... Let’s prevent fires from accidental sparks like dragging trailer chains or improper campfires. One less spark means one less wildfire.”

Firefighters across the state are working hard to address intense fire conditions, which have become familiar during the hot summer months, Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a news conference in Kern County on Tuesday.

Two wet winters back to back fed grasses and other vegetation that then dried out during intense heat waves this summer. Those bone-dry grasses are fodder for explosive wildfire growth when paired with above-average temperatures and strong winds.

Climate & Environment

California braces for heavy wildfire activity this fall: ‘They’re only going to get worse’

Experts say two consecutive wet winters and forecasts for a warmer-than-normal summer will likely contribute to a ‘very active’ fire season later this fall.

June 18, 2024

In Kern County, the Borel fire has scorched more than 57,000 acres and leveled the tiny, historic mining town of Havilah since it ignited last week. It is 17% contained, according to Cal Fire.

The Borel is one of three that have burned almost 90,000 acres in Kern and Tulare counties since mid-July. Collectively, Cal Fire said, the fires are 34% contained.

Six other wildfires that started in the last two weeks and burned more than 200 acres are still active in California, according to Cal Fire. They are:

• The Hill fire, which started July 16 and has burned 7,224 acres in Humboldt and Trinity counties. It is 73% contained.
• The Pedro fire, which started Tuesday and has burned 2,727 acres in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties. It is 7% contained.
• The Apache fire, which started July 23 and has burned 1,538 acres in Ventura County. It is 80% contained.
• The Creek fire, which started July 26 and has burned 744 acres in Alameda County. It is 75% contained.
• The Pole fire, which started Tuesday and has burned 350 acres in San Bernardino County. It is 30% contained.
• The Border 66 fire, which started Tuesday and has burned 300 acres in San Diego County. It is 65% contained.

“It’s remarkable that we’re seeing so many of these iconic places in California that are being quite literally devastated,” Newsom said.

Experts have warned Californians to brace for an active wildfire season through the fall.

The Southern California coast — including Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties and part of the Central Coast — could see large fire potential from September through November, according to Cal Fire forecasters.