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{{Current|date=September 2009}}
{{Taxobox
{{Infobox wildfire
| color = pink
|title=August 2009 California Wildfires
| name = Tyrannosauridae
|image=CA-wildfires-08-2009.jpg
| fossil_range = [[Late Cretaceous]]
|caption=Detail from [[MODIS]] satellite image of Station Fire, 29 August 2009.
| image = Palais de la Decouverte Tyrannosaurus rex p1050042.jpg
|location=[[California]]
| image_width = 200px
|cost=
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
|date=August 2009 – present
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
|source=
| classis = [[Sauropsida]]
|acres= More than 318,000 acres (129,000 ha)
| superordo = [[Dinosaur]]ia
|landuse=
| ordo = [[Saurischia]]
|fatalities=2
| subordo = [[Theropoda]]
| superfamilia = [[Tyrannosauroidea]]
| familia = '''Tyrannosauridae'''
| familia_authority = [[Henry Fairfield Osborn|Osborn]], 1905
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]]
| subdivision =
*''[[Albertosaurus]]''
*''[[Alioramus]]''
*''[[Daspletosaurus]]''
*''[[Gorgosaurus]]''
*''[[Tarbosaurus]]''
*''[[Tyrannosaurus]]'' ([[Type (zoology)|type]])
| synonyms =
* Deinodontidae <small>[[Barnum Brown|Brown]], 1914 (=Dinodontidae [[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], 1866)</small>
}}
}}
The '''August 2009 California wildfires''' have burned more than 318,000 [[acre]]s (129,000 [[hectare]]s) of land since the beginning of the month, destroying hundreds of structures and killing two people. Many of these [[wildfire]]s continue to burn into the month of September. Although fires burned many different regions of [[California]] in August, the month was especially notable for several very large fires which burned in [[Southern California]], despite being outside of the normal fire season for that region.


The still-burning Station Fire, north of [[Los Angeles]], is the largest and deadliest of these wildfires, having burned more than 140,000 acres (56,600 ha) and killed two firefighters since it began in late August. Another large fire was the La Brea Fire, which burned nearly 90,000 acres (36,400 ha) in [[Santa Barbara County]] earlier in the month. A [[State_of_emergency#United_States|state of emergency]] was also declared for the 7,800 acre (3,150 ha) [[Lockheed Fire]] in [[Santa Cruz County]] to the north.
'''Tyrannosauridae''' (meaning "tyrant lizards") is a [[family (biology)|family]] of [[coelurosauria]]n [[theropod]] [[dinosaur]]s which comprises two subfamilies containing up to six [[genus|genera]], including the [[eponymous]] ''[[Tyrannosaurus]]''. The exact number of genera is controversial, with some experts recognizing as few as three. All of these animals lived near the end of the [[Cretaceous]] [[Period (geology)|Period]] and their [[fossil]]s have been found only in [[North America]] and [[Asia]].


==Conditions==
Although descended from [[Tyrannosauroidea|smaller ancestors]], tyrannosaurids were almost always the largest [[predator]]s in their respective [[ecosystem]]s, putting them at the [[apex predator|apex]] of the [[food chain]]. The largest [[species]] was ''Tyrannosaurus rex'', one of the largest known land predators, which measured nearly 13&nbsp;[[metre]]s (43&nbsp;[[foot (unit of length)|feet]]) in length and up to 6.8&nbsp;[[metric tons]] (7.5&nbsp;[[short tons]]) in weight. Tyrannosaurids were [[bipedal]] carnivores with massive [[skull]]s filled with large teeth. Despite their large size, their legs were long and proportioned for fast movement. In contrast, their arms were very small, bearing only two functional digits.
Sporadic fires are normal throughout California in the summer and fall as temperatures rise and rainfall drops, causing vegetation to die off and provide fuel for combustion. Three years of drought amplified these effects, making already fire-prone California ripe for wildfires. These fires may be ignited by natural sources like lightning, or through human activity.<ref name=fires01>{{cite news |last=Risling |first=Greg. |title=Huge wildfire portends bad Calif. fire season |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090100224.html?hpid=moreheadlines |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=2 September 2009 |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>


In Southern California, the normal wildfire season begins in October with the arrival of the infamous [[Santa Ana winds]], and it is unusual to see fires spread so rapidly at other times of year. However, temperatures throughout the southern part of the state exceeded 100°F (38°C) for much of late August. The combination of high temperatures, low humidity and a large quantity of tinder-dry fuel, some of which had not burnt for decades, allowed some of the normal fires to quickly explode out of control despite the lack of winds to spread the flames. These conditions, along with extreme terrain in many undeveloped areas that impeded access to burn areas, made firefighting difficult.<ref name=fires01/>
Unlike most other groups of dinosaurs, most tyrannosaurids are known from very complete remains. This has allowed a wide variety of research into their [[biology]]. Scientific studies have focused on their [[ontogeny]], [[biomechanics]] and [[ecology]], among other subjects. [[Soft tissue]], both fossilized and intact, has been reported from one specimen of ''Tyrannosaurus rex''.


==Description==
==Notable fires==
Dozens of fires burned throughout California in August 2009. Some of the most notable are listed here.
The known tyrannosaurids were all large animals.<ref name=holtz2004>{{cite_book |last=Holtz |first=Thomas R. |authorlink=Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. |year=2004 |chapter=Tyrannosauroidea |editor= [[David B. Weishampel|Weishampel, David B.]]; [[Peter Dodson|Dodson, Peter]]; & Osmólska, Halszka (eds.) |title=The Dinosauria |edition=Second Edition |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |pages=111–136 |isbn=0-520-24209-2}}</ref> ''[[Alioramus]]'' is known from the remains of an individual estimated at between 5 and 6&nbsp;meters (16.5 to 20&nbsp;ft) long,<ref name=kurzanov1976>{{cite_journal |last=Kurzanov |first=Sergei M. |authorlink=Sergei Kurzanov |title=A new carnosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Nogon-Tsav, Mongolia |language=Russian |journal=The Joint Soviet-Mongolian Paleontological Expedition Transactions |volume=3 |pages=93-104}}</ref> although it is considered by some experts to be a juvenile.<ref name=holtz2004/><ref name=currie2003a>{{cite_journal |last=Currie |first=Philip J. |authorlink=Phil Currie |year=2003 |title=Cranial anatomy of tyrannosaurids from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta |journal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonica |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=191–226 |url=http://app.pan.pl/acta48/app48-191.pdf}}</ref> ''[[Albertosaurus]]'', ''[[Gorgosaurus]]'' and ''[[Daspletosaurus]]'' all measured between 8 and 10&nbsp;meters (26 and 33&nbsp;ft) long,<ref name=russell1970>{{cite_journal |last=Russell |first=Dale A. |authorlink=Dale Russell |year=1970 |title=Tyrannosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of western Canada |journal=National Museum of Natural Sciences Publications in Paleontology |volume=1 |pages=1-34}}</ref> while ''[[Tarbosaurus]]'' reached lengths of 12&nbsp;meters (40&nbsp;ft) from snout to tail.<ref name=maleev1955b>{{cite_journal |last=Maleev |first=Evgeny A. |authorlink=Evgeny Maleev |year=1955 |title=New carnivorous dinosaurs from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. |journal=Doklady, Academy of Sciences USSR |volume=104 |issue=5 |pages=779–783 |language=Russian}}</ref> The massive ''Tyrannosaurus'' was the largest, approaching 13&nbsp;meters (43&nbsp;ft) in the longest specimens.<ref name=SueFMNH>{{cite web |url=http://www.fieldmuseum.org/sue/about_vital.asp |title=Sue's vital statistics |author= |work=Sue at the Field Museum |publisher=[[Field Museum of Natural History]] |accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref>
===Northern California===
====Alameda County====
*The '''Corral Fire''' began on 13 August along Corral Hollow Road, outside the [[Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area]], near [[Tracy, California|Tracy]] in [[Alameda County]]. It burned 12,500 acres (5,060 ha) of dry grass before being fully contained on 16 August.<ref name=corral01>{{cite web |title=Corral Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=363 |date=18 August 2009 |publisher=[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref><ref name=corral02>{{cite news |last=Salonga |first=Robert. |date=17 August 2009 |title=Corral fire fully contained after burning 12,500 acres |newspaper=[[Contra Costa Times]] |url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/livermore/ci_13143709 |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>


====Mariposa County====
Tyrannosaurid skull anatomy is well understood as complete skulls are known for all genera but ''Alioramus'', which is known only from partial skull remains. ''Tyrannosaurus'', ''Tarbosaurus'', and ''Daspletosaurus'' had skulls which exceeded 1&nbsp;meter (3.3&nbsp;ft) in length, with the largest ''Tyrannosaurus'' skull measuring over 1.5&nbsp;meters (5&nbsp;ft) long. Adult tyrannosaurids had tall, massive skulls, with many bones fused and reinforced for strength. At the same time, hollow chambers within many skull bones and large openings ([[fenestra]]e) between those bones helped to reduce skull weight. Many features of tyrannosaurid skulls were also found in their immediate ancestors, including tall [[premaxilla]]e and fused [[nasal bone]]s. Tyrannosaurid skulls had many unique characteristics, however, including fused [[parietal bone]]s with a prominent [[sagittal crest]], which ran [[Anatomical_terms_of_location#Planes|longitudinally]] along the [[sagittal suture]] and separated the two [[supratemporal fenestra]]e on the skull roof. Behind these fenestrae, tyrannosaurids had a characteristically tall nuchal crest, which also arose from the parietals but ran along a [[transverse plane]] rather than longitudinally. The nuchal crest was especially well-developed in ''Tyrannosaurus'', ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Alioramus''. ''Albertosaurus'', ''Daspletosaurus'' and ''Gorgosaurus'' had tall crests in front of the eyes on the [[lacrimal bone]]s, while ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Tyrannosaurus'' had extremely thickened [[postorbital bone]]s forming crescent-shaped crests behind the eyes. ''Alioramus'' had a row of six bony crests on top of its snout, arising from the nasal bones; lower crests have been reported on some specimens of ''Daspletosaurus'' and ''Tarbosaurus'', as well as the more [[basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] tyrannosauroid ''Appalachiosaurus''.<ref name=currie2003a/><ref name=carretal2005>{{cite_journal |last=Carr |first=Thomas D. |coauthors=Williamson, Thomas E.; & Schwimmer, David R. |year=2005 |title=A new genus and species of tyrannosauroid from the Late Cretaceous (middle Campanian) Demopolis Formation of Alabama |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=119–143 |doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025%5B0119:ANGASO%5D2.0.CO;2}}</ref> Tyrannosaurids, like their ancestors, were [[heterodont]], with premaxillary teeth ''D''-shaped in [[Cross section (geometry)|cross section]] and smaller than the rest. Unlike earlier tyrannosauroids and most other theropods, however, the [[maxilla]]ry and [[mandible|mandibular]] teeth of mature tyrannosaurid s are not blade-like but extremely thickened and often circular in cross-section.<ref name=holtz2004/> Tooth counts tend to be consistent within species, and larger species tend to have lower tooth counts than smaller ones. For example, ''Alioramus'' had 76 to 78 teeth in its jaws, while ''Tyrannosaurus'' had between 54 and 60.<ref name=currieetal2003>{{cite_journal |last=Currie |first=Philip J. |coauthors=Hurum, Jørn H; & Sabath, Karol. |authorlink=Phil Currie |year=2003 |title=Skull structure and evolution in tyrannosaurid phylogeny |journal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonica | volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=227–234 |url=http://app.pan.pl/acta48/app48-227.pdf}}</ref>
*The '''Big Meadow Fire''' began on 26 August in Big Meadow, two miles east of [[El Portal, California|El Portal]], just inside [[Yosemite National Park]]. This fire has burned 6,283 acres (2,542 ha) in the [[Mariposa County]] section of Yosemite, resulting in the closure of several trails, campgrounds and the portion of [[California State Route 120|State Highway 120]] known as Tioga Road. The community of [[Foresta, California|Foresta]] has also been evacuated. The Big Meadow Fire is 60% contained as of 2 September, with full containment expected by 10 September.<ref name=bigmeadow01>{{cite web |title=Big Meadow Wildfire |url=http://inciweb.org/incident/1869/ |date=2 September 2009 |publisher=[[InciWeb]] ([[United States Forest Service]]) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> This blaze was the result of a [[prescribed burn]] gone out of control, leading some to question the judgment of Park authorities.<ref name=bigmeadow02>{{cite web |title=A Note From Yosemite's Superintendent |url=http://inciweb.org/incident/article/9328/ |date=29 August 2009 |publisher=[[InciWeb]] ([[United States Forest Service]]) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>


====Placer County====
The skull was perched at the end of a thick, ''S''-shaped neck, and a long, heavy tail acted as a [[counterweight]] to balance out the head and torso, with the [[center of mass]] over the hips. Tyrannosaurids are known for their proportionately very small two-fingered forelimbs, although remnants of a [[vestigial]] third digit are sometimes found.<ref name=holtz2004/><ref name=quinlanetal2007>{{cite_journal |last=Quinlan |first=Elizibeth D. |coauthors=Derstler, Kraig; & Miller, Mercedes M. |year=2007 |title=Anatomy and function of digit III of the ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' manus |journal=Geological Society of America Annual Meeting - Abstracts with Programs |pages=77 |url=http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/abstract_132345.htm}} [abstract only]</ref> ''Tarbosaurus'' had the shortest forelimbs compared to its body size, while ''Daspletosaurus'' had the longest. Tyrannosaurids walked exclusively on their hindlimbs, so their leg bones were massive. In contrast to the forelimbs, the hindlimbs were longer compared to body size than almost any other theropods. Juveniles and even some smaller adults, like more basal tyrannosauroids, had longer [[tibia]]e than [[femur|femora]], a characteristic of [[cursorial|fast-running]] dinosaurs like [[ornithomimid]]s. Larger adults had leg proportions characteristic of slower-moving animals, but not to the extent seen in other large theropods like [[abelisaurid]]s or [[carnosaur]]s. The third [[metatarsal]]s of tyrannosaurids were pinched between the second and fourth metatarsals, forming a structure known as the arctometatarsus.<ref name=holtz2004/> It is unclear when the arctometatarsus first evolved; it was not present in the earliest tyrannosauroids like ''[[Dilong]]'',<ref name=xuetal2004>{{cite_journal |last= [[Xu Xing]] |coauthors= Norell, Mark A.; Kuang Xuewen; Wang Xiaolin; Zhao Qi; & Jia Chengkai. |year=2004 |title=Basal tyrannosauroids from China and evidence for protofeathers in tyrannosauroids |journal=Nature |volume=431 |issue=7009 |pages=680–684 |doi=10.1038/nature02855}}</ref> but was found in the later ''[[Appalachiosaurus]]''.<ref name=carretal2005/> This structure also characterized [[troodontid]]s, [[ornithomimid]]s and [[caenagnathid]]s,<ref name=holtz1994>{{cite_journal |last=Holtz |first=Thomas R. |authorlink=Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. |year=1994 |title=The phylogenetic position of the Tyrannosauridae: implications for theropod systematics |journal=Journal of Palaeontology |volume=68 |issue=5 |pages=1100–1117 |url=http://jpaleontol.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/68/5/1100}}</ref> but its absence in the earliest tyrannosauroids indicates that it was acquired by [[convergent evolution]].<ref name=xuetal2004/>
*The '''49 Fire''' was a small but very destructive fire that began on 30 August and was fully contained by [[CalFire]] on 1 September. Although it burned only 343 acres (139 ha), it destroyed 63 homes and 3 commercial structures in the town of [[Auburn, California|Auburn]] in [[Placer County]]. The cause of this fire, which began alongside [[California State Route 49|State Highway 49]] in Auburn, is still under investigation.<ref name=49fire01>{{cite web |title=Forty Nine (49) Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=380 |date=2 September 2009 |publisher=[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref><ref name=49fire02>{{cite web |title=Firefighters Fully Contain the 49 Fire |last=Thomas |first=Ayesha |coauthors= & Johnson, C. |url=http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66138 |date=1 September 2009 |publisher=[[KXTV]] (ABC Channel 10) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>


====Santa Cruz/Monterey/San Benito Counties====
==Taxonomy and systematics==
*The '''Lockheed Fire''' began on 12 August near the [[Lockheed Martin Space Systems]] campus in [[Santa Cruz County]].<ref name=lockheed01>{{cite web |author=Gabbert, Bill. |title= Lockheed fire near Santa Cruz, CA |url=http://www.wildfiretoday.com/2009/08/13/lockheed-fire-near-santa-cruz-ca |date=13 August 2009 |publisher=Wildfire Today |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref><ref name=lockheed02>{{cite web |last=Squires |first=Jennifer |coauthors=Jones, Donna; Alexander, Kurtis; Kelly, Cathy; Bookwalter, Genevieve; & Walsh, Austin. |title=Lockheed Fire update: No containment; Bonny Doon evacuated; McCrary home saved |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13052532 |date=13 August 2009 |publisher=[[Santa Cruz Sentinel]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> A total of 7,817 acres (3,163 ha) burned and thirteen structures were destroyed, including four seasonal cabins but no primary residences. No cause has been identified.<ref name=lockheed03>{{cite web |title=Lockheed Fire Incident Information |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=361 |date=23 August 2009 |publisher=[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> The communities of [[Swanton, California|Swanton]] and [[Bonny Doon, California|Bonny Doon]] were evacuated and a state of emergency was declared by [[Lieutenant Governor of California|Lieutenant Governor]] [[John Garamendi]] on 14 August.<ref name=lockheed04>{{cite web |title=State of Emergency As Lockheed Fire Rages |url=http://cbs5.com/local/bonny.doon.fire.2.1128496.html |date=14 August 2009 |publisher=[[KPIX-TV]] (CBS Channel 5) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> State fire crews achieved 100% containment on 23 August, at a cost of $26.6 million ([[USD]]).<ref name=lockheed03/> Many hillsides burned by the Lockheed Fire had not burned since 1948 due to active fire suppression in the area. Some plant species [[Endemism|endemic]] to the area, including the [[endangered species|endangered]] [[Arctostaphylos andersonii|Santa Cruz manzanita]], propagate only after fire, potentially allowing these rare species to proliferate for the first time in decades.<ref name=lockheed05>{{cite web |author=Bookwalter, Genevieve. |title=Scientists excited about new rare plants: recent flames could prompt explosion of manzanita species found nowhere else |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13156080 |date=19 August 2009 |publisher=[[Santa Cruz Sentinel]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>
''Tyrannosaurus'' was named by [[Henry Fairfield Osborn]] in 1905, along with the family Tyrannosauridae.<ref name=osborn1905>{{cite_journal |last=Osborn |first=Henry F. |authorlink=Henry Fairfield Osborn |year=1905 |title=''Tyrannosaurus'' and other Cretaceous carnivorous dinosaurs |journal=Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History |volume=21 |pages=259–265 |url=http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/handle/2246/1464}}</ref> The name is derived from the [[Ancient Greek]] words ''τυραννος''/''tyrannos'' ('tyrant') and ''σαυρος''/''sauros'' ('lizard'). The very common [[suffix]] ''-idae'' is normally appended to [[zoology|zoological]] family names and is derived from the Greek suffix ''-ιδαι''/''-idai'', which indicates a plural noun.<ref name=liddellscott>{{cite book |last=Liddell |first=Henry G. |authorlink=Henry Liddell |coauthors=& [[Robert Scott (philologist)|Scott, Robert]] |year=1980 |title=Greek-English Lexicon |edition=Abridged Edition |publisher=Oxford University Press, |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-910207-4}}</ref> The family name Deinodontidae was often used by scientists up until the 1920s,<ref name=matthewbrown1922>{{cite_journal |last=Matthew |first=William D. |authorlink=William Diller Matthew |coauthors=& [[Barnum Brown|Brown, Barnum]]. |year=1922 |title=The family Deinodontidae, with notice of a new genus from the Cretaceous of Alberta |journal=Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History |volume=46 |issue=6 |pages=367-385 |url=http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/handle/2246/1300}}</ref> based on the genus ''[[Deinodon]]'', which was named after isolated teeth from [[Montana]].<ref name=leidy1856>{{cite_journal |last=Leidy |first=Joseph |authorlink=Joseph Leidy |year=1856 |title=Notice of remains of extinct reptiles and fishes, discovered by Dr. F.V. Hayden in the badlands of the Judith River, Nebraska Territory |journal=Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia |volume=8 |pages=72-73}}</ref> This taxon, however, is now considered a ''[[nomen dubium]]'' so the name Tyrannosauridae is preferred by all modern experts.<ref name=holtz2004/>
*The '''Bryson Fire''' started from a mobile home fire on Bryson-Hesperia Road in the [[Monterey County]] town of [[Lockwood, California|Lockwood]]. It burned 3,383 acres (1,369 ha) and five structures, including three homes, between 26 August and 28 August.<ref name=bryson01>{{cite web |title=Bryson Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=368 |date=28 August 2009 |publisher=[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] |accessdate=3 September 2009 }}</ref><ref name=bryson02>{{cite web |title=Firefighters battling fierce heat, dry fuels in 4,000-acre Bryson Fire |url=http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=11002937 |date=28 August 2009 |publisher=[[KSBY-TV]] (NBC Channel 6) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>
*The '''Gloria Fire''' began on 27 August along Camphora Gloria Road near the town of [[Soledad, California|Soledad]]. It burned 6,437 acres (2,605 ha) in Monterey and [[San Benito County|San Benito Counties]], destroying a house and another structure before CalFire contained it on 31 August at a cost of $4 million (USD).<ref name=gloria01>{{cite web |title=Gloria Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=374 |date=31 August 2009 |publisher=[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] |accessdate=3 September 2009 }}</ref> The fire was set off by fireworks used to scare away birds outside of a winery and a criminal investigation is underway to determine who is responsible.<ref name=gloria02>{{cite web |title=CAL FIRE investigators focus on vineyard as cause of Gloria Fire near Soledad |last=Solana |first=Kimber. |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090901/NEWS01/909010305 |date=1 September 2009 |publisher=The Californian |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>


====Yuba County====
Tyrannosauridae is a [[family (biology)|family]] in rank-based [[Linnaean taxonomy]], within the [[superfamily]] [[Tyrannosauroidea]] and the [[suborder]] [[Theropoda]]. With the advent of [[phylogenetic taxonomy]] in vertebrate paleontology, Tyrannosauridae has been given several explicit definitions. The original was produced by [[Paul Sereno]] in 1998, and included all tyrannosauroids closer to Tyrannosaurus than to either ''Alectrosaurus'', ''Aublysodon'' or ''Nanotyrannus''.<ref name=sereno1998>{{cite_journal |last=Sereno |first=Paul C. |authorlink=Paul Sereno |year=1998 |title=A rationale for phylogenetic definitions, with application to the higher-level taxonomy of Dinosauria |journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie Abhandlungen |volume=210 |pages=41-83}}</ref>. However, ''Nanotyrannus'' is often considered to be a juvenile ''Tyrannosaurus rex'', while ''Aublysodon'' is usually regarded as a ''[[nomen dubium]]'' unsuitable for use in the definition of a [[clade]].<ref name=holtz2004/> Definitions since then have been based on more well-established genera. A 2003 attempt by [[Christopher Brochu]] included ''Albertosaurus'', ''Alectrosaurus'', ''Alioramus'', ''Daspletosaurus'', ''Gorgosaurus'', ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Tyrannosaurus'' in the definition.<ref name=brochu2003>{{cite journal |last=Brochu |first=Christopher R. |authorlink=Christopher Brochu |year=2003 |title=Osteology of ''Tyrannosaurus rex'': insights from a nearly complete skeleton and high-resolution computed tomographic analysis of the skull |journal=Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoirs |volume=7 |pages=1–138}}</ref> Holtz redefined the family in 2004 to use all of the above as specifiers except for ''Alioramus'' and ''Alectrosaurus'', which his analysis could not place with certainty. However, in the same paper, Holtz also provided a completely different defintion, including all theropods more closely related to ''Tyrannosaurus'' than to ''Eotyrannus''.<ref name=holtz2004/> The most recent definition is that of Sereno in 2005, which defined Tyrannosauridae as the least inclusive clade containing ''Albertosaurus'', ''Gorgosaurus'' and ''Tyrannosaurus''.<ref name=sereno2005>{{cite web |url=http://www.taxonsearch.org/dev/file_home.php |title=Stem Archosauria—TaxonSearch |accessdate=2008-01-14 |last=Sereno |first=Paul C. |authorlink=Paul Sereno |date=2005-11-07 }}</ref>
The '''Yuba Fire''' was started after a [[Red-Tailed Hawk]] flew into a power line on 14 August, and burned 3,891 acres (1,611 ha) before being contained on 21 August at a cost of $12.1 million (USD). Two residences in [[Yuba County]] burned and power lines transporting electricity from a hydroelectric facility were threatened.<ref name=yuba01>{{cite web |title=Yuba Fire |url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=364 |date=23 August 2009 |publisher=[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref><ref name=yuba02>{{cite news |last=Grigsby |first=Jared. |title=Difficult terrain works against Calif. fire crews |date=16 August 2009 |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4rSxtb6hFEjzSiMFwAKeOSyEC9gD9A3RCB80 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>


===Classification===
====Other counties====
Other areas of [[Colusa County]], [[Lassen County]], [[Plumas County]], [[Santa Clara County]], [[Shasta County]], and [[Siskiyou County]] also burned in the month of August.
{{userboxtop|align=right|bordercolor=lightgray|toptext=[[Cladistics#Cladograms|Cladograms]] of [[Tyrannosauridae]]}}
<br/><u><center>'''[[Thomas Carr (paleontologist)|Carr]] ''et al.'' 2005'''<ref name=carretal2005/></center></u>
{{clade| style=font-size:80%;line-height:80%
|label1=Tyrannosauridae&nbsp;
|1={{clade
|label1=&nbsp;Albertosaurinae&nbsp;
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Albertosaurus]]''
|2=''[[Gorgosaurus]]''* }}
|label2=&nbsp;Tyrannosaurinae&nbsp;
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|label1=<font color="white">void</font>
|1=''[[Daspletosaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|label1=&nbsp;<font color="white">void</font>&nbsp;
|1=''[[Tarbosaurus]]''*
|2=''[[Tyrannosaurus]]''
}} }} }} }} }}
<small>*<u>Note</u>: Carr ''et al.'' regard ''Gorgosaurus libratus'' as a species of ''Albertosaurus'' and ''Tarbosaurus bataar'' as a species of ''Tyrannosaurus''</small>
<br/><u><center>'''[[Philip Currie|Currie]] ''et al.'' 2003'''<ref name=currieetal2003/></center></u>
{{clade| style=font-size:80%;line-height:80%
|label1=Tyrannosauridae&nbsp;
|1={{clade
|label1=<font color="white">void</font>
|label1=&nbsp;Albertosaurinae&nbsp;
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Albertosaurus]]''
|2=''[[Gorgosaurus]]'' }}
|label2=&nbsp;Tyrannosaurinae&nbsp;
|2={{clade
|label1=<font color="white">void</font>
|1={{clade
|label1=<font color="white">void</font>
|1=''[[Daspletosaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|label1=&nbsp;<font color="white">void</font>&nbsp;
|1=''[[Tarbosaurus]]''
|2=''[[Alioramus]]''}} }}
|2={{clade
|label1=<font color="white">void</font>
|1=''[[Nanotyrannus]]''
|2=''[[Tyrannosaurus]]''
}} }} }} }}
{{userboxbottom}}
'''FAMILY TYRANNOSAURIDAE'''
*'''Subfamily Albertosaurinae'''
**''[[Albertosaurus]]''
**''[[Gorgosaurus]]''
*'''Subfamily Tyrannosaurinae'''
**''[[Alioramus]]''
**''[[Daspletosaurus]]''
**''[[Tarbosaurus]]''
**''[[Tyrannosaurus]]''


===Phylogeny===
===Southern California===
====Los Angeles County====
Tyrannosauridae is uncontroversially divided into two subfamilies. Albertosaurinae comprises the North American genera ''Albertosaurus'' and ''Gorgosaurus'', while Tyrannosaurinae includes ''Daspletosaurus'', ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Tyrannosaurus'' itself.<ref name=holtz2004/> Some authors include the species ''Gorgosaurus libratus'' in the genus ''Albertosaurus'' and ''Tarbosaurus bataar'' in the genus ''Tyrannosaurus'',<ref name=carretal2005/><ref name=carpenter1992>{{cite_book |last=Carpenter |first=Ken. |authorlink=Kenneth Carpenter |year=1992 |chapter=Tyrannosaurids (Dinosauria) of Asia and North America |editor=Mateer, Niall J.; & Chen Peiji (eds.) |title=Aspects of Nonmarine Cretaceous Geology |location=Beijing |publisher=China Ocean Press |pages=250–268 |url=https://scientists.dmns.org/sites/kencarpenter/PDFs%20of%20publications/pdfs.aspx}}</ref><ref name=paul1988>{{cite_book |last=Paul |first=Gregory S. |authorlink=Gregory S. Paul |year=1988 |title=Predatory Dinosaurs of the World |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |pages=464pp.}}</ref> while others prefer to retain ''Gorgosaurus'' and ''Tarbosaurus'' as separate genera.<ref name=holtz2004/><ref name=currie2003a/> Albertosaurines are characterized by more slender builds, lower skulls, and proportionately longer tibiae than tyrannosaurines.<ref name=holtz2004/> In tyrannosaurines, the sagittal crest on the parietals continues forward onto the frontals.<ref name=currie2003a/>
[[Image:Pyrocumulus Cloud Station Fire 082909.jpg|thumb|alt=Pyrocumulus cloud from the August 2009 Station fire|250px|[[Pyrocumulus]] cloud from the Station Fire, seen from [[North Hollywood]], [[Los Angeles]].]]
*The '''Morris Fire''' began on 25 August near Morris Dam in the [[Angeles National Forest]]. It has burned 2,168 acres (877 ha) and is 95% contained as of 2 September, with full containment expected on 3 September.<ref name=morris01>{{cite web |title=Morris Fire |url=http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1852/ |date=2 September 2009 |publisher=[[InciWeb]] ([[United States Forest Service]]) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> This fire is thought to have been caused by [[arson]].<ref name=morris02>{{cite web |title=Morris Fire was arson, official says |url=http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_13235066 |date=30 August 2009 |publisher=[[Pasadena Star-News]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>
[[Image:26795650-c7fc370671fb2c70ace73356c020af14.4a9b814e-full.jpg|thumb|Pyrocumulus cloud forming over the Station Fire, with the skyline of [[Downtown Los Angeles]] in the foreground.]]
*The '''Station Fire''' started on 26 August near the [[U.S. Forest Service]] ranger station on the [[Angeles Crest Highway]] ([[California State Route 2|State Highway 2]]).<ref name=station01>{{cite web |title=New fire breaks out near Angeles Crest Highway; forces road closure |url=http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/rds_search/ci_13209642?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com |date=26 August 2009 |publisher=[[Pasadena Star-News]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref><ref name=station02>{{cite web |title=Station Fire |url=http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/ |date=2 September 2009 |publisher=[[InciWeb]] ([[United States Forest Service]]) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> As of 2 September, it has burned 140,150 acres (56,700 ha) in the [[Angeles National Forest]], destroying nearly 100 structures, including 64 homes.<ref name=station03>{{cite web |title=Station Fire Evening Update Sept. 2, 2009 |url=http://inciweb.org/incident/article/9398/ |date=2 September 2009 |publisher=[[InciWeb]] ([[United States Forest Service]]) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> Two firefighters were killed on 30 August when their fire truck plunged off a cliff while attempting to escape the flames.<ref name=station04>{{cite web |title=Firefighters Killed in 'Station Fire' Remembered |url=http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-firefighters-bio,0,7708207.story |date=1 September 2009 |publisher=[[KTLA-TV]] (Channel 5) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> The blaze threatens 12,000 structures in the National Forest and nearby communities like [[La Cañada Flintridge, California|La Cañada Flintridge]], [[Glendale, CA|Glendale]], [[Acton, CA|Acton]], [[La Crescenta-Montrose, CA|La Crescenta]], [[Pasadena, CA|Pasadena]], [[Littlerock, CA|Littlerock]] and [[Altadena, CA|Altadena]], as well as the [[Sunland, CA|Sunland]] and [[Tujunga, CA|Tujunga]] neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles.<ref name=station05>{{cite web |title=Station Fire Evening Update Aug. 31, 2009 |url=http://inciweb.org/incident/article/9360/ |date=31 August 2009 |publisher=[[InciWeb]] ([[United States Forest Service]]) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> Many of these areas faced mandatory evacuations as the flames drew near, but as of 2 September, most evacuation orders have been lifted.<ref name=station03/> The Station Fire has been burning on the slopes of [[Mount Wilson (California)|Mount Wilson]], threatening numerous television, radio and cellular telephone antennas on the summit, as well as the [[Mount Wilson Observatory]], which includes several historically significant telescopes and multimillion-dollar astronomical facilities operated by [[UCLA]], [[USC]], [[UC Berkeley]] and [[Georgia State University]].<ref name=station06>{{cite news |last=Knoll |first=Corinna |coauthors=& Becerra, Hector. |title=TV, cellphone signals from Mt. Wilson at risk |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fire-mount-wilson31-2009aug31,0,6711216.story |date=31 August 2009 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> The cause of this fire is still unknown, but is suspected to be the result of human activity. As of 2 September, improving weather conditions have helped firefighters contain 28% of the fire at a cost of $21 million (USD), although the fire remains active, especially on the eastern front.<ref name=station07>{{cite web |last=Bloomekatz |first=Ari B. |coauthors=& Smith, Roger. |title=Station fire pushes farther east to above Sierra Madre; cost of battle pegged at $21 million |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/station-fire-pushes-farther-east-to-above-sierra-madre-cost-of-battle-pegged-at-21-million.html |date=2 September 2009 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> U.S. Forest Service firefighters expect the fire to be fully contained by 15 September.<ref name=station02/>


====Santa Barbara County====
Within Tyrannosaurinae, ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Tyrannosaurus'' are often considered [[sister taxa]], with ''Daspletosaurus'' more basal than either. A close relationship between ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Tyrannosaurus'' is supported by numerous skull features, including the pattern of [[Suture (anatomical)|sutures]] between certain bones, the presence of a crescent-shaped crest on the postorbital bone behind each eye, and a very deep maxilla with a noticeable downward curve on the lower edge, among others.<ref name=holtz2004/><ref name=carretal2005/> An alternative [[hypothesis]] was presented in a 2003 study by [[Phil Currie]] and colleagues, which found weak support for ''Daspletosaurus'' as a basal member of a [[clade]] also including ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Alioramus'', both from Asia, based on the absence of a bony prong connecting the nasal and lacrimal bones.<ref name=currieetal2003/> ''Alioramus'' was found to be the closest relative of ''Tarbosaurus'' in this study, based on a similar pattern of stress distribution in the skull. A related study also noted a locking mechanism in the lower jaw shared between the two genera.<ref name=hurumsabath2003>{{cite_journal |last=Hurum |first= Jørn H. |coauthors=& Sabath, Karol. |year=2003 |title=Giant theropod dinosaurs from Asia and North America: Skulls of ''Tarbosaurus bataar'' and ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' compared |journal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonica |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=161–190 |url=http://www.app.pan.pl/acta48/app48-161.pdf}}</ref> In a separate paper, Currie noted the possibility that ''Alioramus'' might represent a juvenile ''Tarbosaurus'', but stated that the much higher tooth count and more prominent nasal crests in ''Alioramus'' suggest it is a distinct genus. Similarly, Currie uses the high tooth count of ''[[Nanotyrannus]]'' to suggest that it may be a distinct genus,<ref name=currie2003a/> rather than a juvenile ''Tyrannosaurus'' as most other experts believe.<ref name=holtz2004/><ref name=carr1999>{{cite_journal |last=Carr |first=Thomas D. |year=1999 |title=Craniofacial ontogeny in Tyrannosauridae (Dinosauria, Coelurosauria) |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=497–520 |url=http://www.vertpaleo.org/publications/jvp/19-497-520.cfm}}</ref>
*The '''La Brea Fire''' began near La Brea Creek in [[Santa Barbara County]], inside of [[Los Padres National Forest]].<ref name=labrea01>{{cite news |last=Womack |first=Sam. |date=17 August 2009 |title=Crews work into the night to corral wildfire |newspaper=Santa Maria Times |url=http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/08/17/news/news02.txt}}</ref> A propane stove at an illegal marijuana plantation inside the National Forest is believed to have ignited the fire on 8 August. The fire burned 89,489 acres (36,215 ha) of [[chaparral]] but only destroyed two structures -- a cabin and an unused ranger station -- before being contained on 22 August.<ref name=labrea02>{{cite web |title=La Brea Fire |url=http://inciweb.org/incident/1803/ |date=1 September 2009 |publisher=[[InciWeb]] ([[United States Forest Service]]) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> The huge [[Zaca Fire]] burned in the same region in 2007, and some of the same fire lines were used to contain the La Brea Fire.<ref name=labrea03>{{cite web |title=La Brea Fire Contained |url=http://www.independent.com/news/2009/aug/23/la-brea-fire-contained/ |date=23 August 2009 |publisher=[[Santa Barbara Independent |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref> The plantation held approximately 30,000 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $90 million (USD). Earlier in the year, seventeen other plantations hidden in the forest had been discovered by authorities, who destroyed more than 225,000 plants worth over $675 million (USD). No suspects were captured at the site, but investigators did find an [[AK-47]], leading them to warn the public that the suspects could be armed and dangerous.<ref name=labrea04>{{cite web |title=La Brea Fire believed to be caused by $90 million marijuana operation run by Mexican drug cartel |url=http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10950537 |date=19 August 2009 |publisher=[[KSBY-TV]] (NBC Channel 6) |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>


====Other counties====
==Distribution==
Smaller fires also broke out in [[Riverside County]], [[San Bernardino County]] and [[San Diego County]] in August.
[[Image:Tyrant map.png|thumb|right|450px|While earlier [[tyrannosauroid]]s are found on all three northern continents, tyrannosaurid fossils are known only from North America and Asia.]]
Tyrannosaurid remains are only found in Asia and western North America. The exact time and place of origin of the family remain unknown due to the poor fossil record in the middle part of the Cretaceous on both continents, although the earliest confirmed tyrannosaurids lived in the early [[Campanian]] [[faunal stage|stage]] in western North America.<ref name=holtz2004/> Tyrannosaurid remains have never been recovered from eastern North America, while more basal tyrannosauroids like ''[[Dryptosaurus]]'' and ''[[Appalachiosaurus]]'' persisted there until the end of the Cretaceous, indicating that tyrannosaurids must have evolved in or [[biological dispersal|dispersed]] into western North America after the continent was divided in half by the [[Western Interior Seaway]] in the middle of the Cretaceous.<ref name=carretal2005/> Tyrannosaurid fossils have been found in [[Alaska]], which may have provided a route for dispersal between North America and Asia.<ref name=fiorillogangloff2000>{{cite_journal |last=Fiorillo |first=Anthony R. |coauthors=& Gangloff, Roland A. |year=2000 |title=Theropod teeth from the Prince Creek Formation (Cretaceous) of northern
Alaska, with speculations on arctic dinosaur paleoecology |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=675-682 |doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020%5B0675:TTFTPC%5D2.0.CO;2}}</ref> ''Alioramus'' and ''Tarbosaurus'' are found to be related in one cladistic analysis, forming a unique Asian branch of the family.<ref name=currieetal2003/>

Of the two subfamilies, tyrannosaurines appear to have been more widespread. Albertosaurines are unknown in Asia, which was home to the tyrannosaurines ''Tarbosaurus'' and ''Alioramus''. Both subfamilies were present in the Campanian and early [[Maastrichtian]] stages of North America, with tyrannosaurines like ''Daspletosaurus'' ranging throughout the Western Interior, while the albertosaurines ''Albertosaurus'' and ''Gorgosaurus'' are currently known only from the northwestern part of the continent. By the late Maastrichtian, albertosaurines appear to have gone extinct, while the tyrannosaurine ''Tyrannosaurus'' roamed from [[Saskatchewan]] to [[Texas]]. This pattern is mirrored in other North American dinosaur taxa. During the Campanian and early Maastrichtian, [[Lambeosaurinae|lambeosaurine]] [[hadrosaur]]s and [[centrosaurinae|centrosaurine]] [[ceratopsia]]ns are common in the northwest, while [[hadrosaurinae|hadrosaurine]]s and [[chasmosaurinae|chasmosaurines]] were more common to the south. By the end of the Cretaceous, centrosaurines are unknown and lambeosaurines are rare, while hadrosaurines and chasmosaurines were common throughout the Western Interior.<ref name=holtz2004/>

==Paleobiology==


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


[[es:Incendios forestales en California de agosto de 2009]]
==External Links==

Latest revision as of 20:01, 24 July 2024

August 2009 California Wildfires
Detail from MODIS satellite image of Station Fire, 29 August 2009.
Date(s)August 2009 – present
LocationCalifornia
Statistics
Burned areaMore than 318,000 acres (129,000 ha)
Impacts
Deaths2

The August 2009 California wildfires have burned more than 318,000 acres (129,000 hectares) of land since the beginning of the month, destroying hundreds of structures and killing two people. Many of these wildfires continue to burn into the month of September. Although fires burned many different regions of California in August, the month was especially notable for several very large fires which burned in Southern California, despite being outside of the normal fire season for that region.

The still-burning Station Fire, north of Los Angeles, is the largest and deadliest of these wildfires, having burned more than 140,000 acres (56,600 ha) and killed two firefighters since it began in late August. Another large fire was the La Brea Fire, which burned nearly 90,000 acres (36,400 ha) in Santa Barbara County earlier in the month. A state of emergency was also declared for the 7,800 acre (3,150 ha) Lockheed Fire in Santa Cruz County to the north.

Conditions

[edit]

Sporadic fires are normal throughout California in the summer and fall as temperatures rise and rainfall drops, causing vegetation to die off and provide fuel for combustion. Three years of drought amplified these effects, making already fire-prone California ripe for wildfires. These fires may be ignited by natural sources like lightning, or through human activity.[1]

In Southern California, the normal wildfire season begins in October with the arrival of the infamous Santa Ana winds, and it is unusual to see fires spread so rapidly at other times of year. However, temperatures throughout the southern part of the state exceeded 100°F (38°C) for much of late August. The combination of high temperatures, low humidity and a large quantity of tinder-dry fuel, some of which had not burnt for decades, allowed some of the normal fires to quickly explode out of control despite the lack of winds to spread the flames. These conditions, along with extreme terrain in many undeveloped areas that impeded access to burn areas, made firefighting difficult.[1]

Notable fires

[edit]

Dozens of fires burned throughout California in August 2009. Some of the most notable are listed here.

Northern California

[edit]

Alameda County

[edit]

Mariposa County

[edit]
  • The Big Meadow Fire began on 26 August in Big Meadow, two miles east of El Portal, just inside Yosemite National Park. This fire has burned 6,283 acres (2,542 ha) in the Mariposa County section of Yosemite, resulting in the closure of several trails, campgrounds and the portion of State Highway 120 known as Tioga Road. The community of Foresta has also been evacuated. The Big Meadow Fire is 60% contained as of 2 September, with full containment expected by 10 September.[4] This blaze was the result of a prescribed burn gone out of control, leading some to question the judgment of Park authorities.[5]

Placer County

[edit]
  • The 49 Fire was a small but very destructive fire that began on 30 August and was fully contained by CalFire on 1 September. Although it burned only 343 acres (139 ha), it destroyed 63 homes and 3 commercial structures in the town of Auburn in Placer County. The cause of this fire, which began alongside State Highway 49 in Auburn, is still under investigation.[6][7]

Santa Cruz/Monterey/San Benito Counties

[edit]
  • The Lockheed Fire began on 12 August near the Lockheed Martin Space Systems campus in Santa Cruz County.[8][9] A total of 7,817 acres (3,163 ha) burned and thirteen structures were destroyed, including four seasonal cabins but no primary residences. No cause has been identified.[10] The communities of Swanton and Bonny Doon were evacuated and a state of emergency was declared by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi on 14 August.[11] State fire crews achieved 100% containment on 23 August, at a cost of $26.6 million (USD).[10] Many hillsides burned by the Lockheed Fire had not burned since 1948 due to active fire suppression in the area. Some plant species endemic to the area, including the endangered Santa Cruz manzanita, propagate only after fire, potentially allowing these rare species to proliferate for the first time in decades.[12]
  • The Bryson Fire started from a mobile home fire on Bryson-Hesperia Road in the Monterey County town of Lockwood. It burned 3,383 acres (1,369 ha) and five structures, including three homes, between 26 August and 28 August.[13][14]
  • The Gloria Fire began on 27 August along Camphora Gloria Road near the town of Soledad. It burned 6,437 acres (2,605 ha) in Monterey and San Benito Counties, destroying a house and another structure before CalFire contained it on 31 August at a cost of $4 million (USD).[15] The fire was set off by fireworks used to scare away birds outside of a winery and a criminal investigation is underway to determine who is responsible.[16]

Yuba County

[edit]

The Yuba Fire was started after a Red-Tailed Hawk flew into a power line on 14 August, and burned 3,891 acres (1,611 ha) before being contained on 21 August at a cost of $12.1 million (USD). Two residences in Yuba County burned and power lines transporting electricity from a hydroelectric facility were threatened.[17][18]

Other counties

[edit]

Other areas of Colusa County, Lassen County, Plumas County, Santa Clara County, Shasta County, and Siskiyou County also burned in the month of August.

Southern California

[edit]

Los Angeles County

[edit]
Pyrocumulus cloud from the August 2009 Station fire
Pyrocumulus cloud from the Station Fire, seen from North Hollywood, Los Angeles.
  • The Morris Fire began on 25 August near Morris Dam in the Angeles National Forest. It has burned 2,168 acres (877 ha) and is 95% contained as of 2 September, with full containment expected on 3 September.[19] This fire is thought to have been caused by arson.[20]
File:26795650-c7fc370671fb2c70ace73356c020af14.4a9b814e-full.jpg
Pyrocumulus cloud forming over the Station Fire, with the skyline of Downtown Los Angeles in the foreground.
  • The Station Fire started on 26 August near the U.S. Forest Service ranger station on the Angeles Crest Highway (State Highway 2).[21][22] As of 2 September, it has burned 140,150 acres (56,700 ha) in the Angeles National Forest, destroying nearly 100 structures, including 64 homes.[23] Two firefighters were killed on 30 August when their fire truck plunged off a cliff while attempting to escape the flames.[24] The blaze threatens 12,000 structures in the National Forest and nearby communities like La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Acton, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Littlerock and Altadena, as well as the Sunland and Tujunga neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles.[25] Many of these areas faced mandatory evacuations as the flames drew near, but as of 2 September, most evacuation orders have been lifted.[23] The Station Fire has been burning on the slopes of Mount Wilson, threatening numerous television, radio and cellular telephone antennas on the summit, as well as the Mount Wilson Observatory, which includes several historically significant telescopes and multimillion-dollar astronomical facilities operated by UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley and Georgia State University.[26] The cause of this fire is still unknown, but is suspected to be the result of human activity. As of 2 September, improving weather conditions have helped firefighters contain 28% of the fire at a cost of $21 million (USD), although the fire remains active, especially on the eastern front.[27] U.S. Forest Service firefighters expect the fire to be fully contained by 15 September.[22]

Santa Barbara County

[edit]
  • The La Brea Fire began near La Brea Creek in Santa Barbara County, inside of Los Padres National Forest.[28] A propane stove at an illegal marijuana plantation inside the National Forest is believed to have ignited the fire on 8 August. The fire burned 89,489 acres (36,215 ha) of chaparral but only destroyed two structures -- a cabin and an unused ranger station -- before being contained on 22 August.[29] The huge Zaca Fire burned in the same region in 2007, and some of the same fire lines were used to contain the La Brea Fire.[30] The plantation held approximately 30,000 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $90 million (USD). Earlier in the year, seventeen other plantations hidden in the forest had been discovered by authorities, who destroyed more than 225,000 plants worth over $675 million (USD). No suspects were captured at the site, but investigators did find an AK-47, leading them to warn the public that the suspects could be armed and dangerous.[31]

Other counties

[edit]

Smaller fires also broke out in Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County in August.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Risling, Greg. (2 September 2009). "Huge wildfire portends bad Calif. fire season". Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  2. ^ "Corral Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  3. ^ Salonga, Robert. (17 August 2009). "Corral fire fully contained after burning 12,500 acres". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  4. ^ "Big Meadow Wildfire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). 2 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  5. ^ "A Note From Yosemite's Superintendent". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). 29 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  6. ^ "Forty Nine (49) Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  7. ^ Thomas, Ayesha (1 September 2009). "Firefighters Fully Contain the 49 Fire". KXTV (ABC Channel 10). Retrieved 3 September 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Gabbert, Bill. (13 August 2009). "Lockheed fire near Santa Cruz, CA". Wildfire Today. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  9. ^ Squires, Jennifer (13 August 2009). "Lockheed Fire update: No containment; Bonny Doon evacuated; McCrary home saved". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved 3 September 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b "Lockheed Fire Incident Information". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  11. ^ "State of Emergency As Lockheed Fire Rages". KPIX-TV (CBS Channel 5). 14 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  12. ^ Bookwalter, Genevieve. (19 August 2009). "Scientists excited about new rare plants: recent flames could prompt explosion of manzanita species found nowhere else". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  13. ^ "Bryson Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  14. ^ "Firefighters battling fierce heat, dry fuels in 4,000-acre Bryson Fire". KSBY-TV (NBC Channel 6). 28 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  15. ^ "Gloria Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  16. ^ Solana, Kimber. (1 September 2009). "CAL FIRE investigators focus on vineyard as cause of Gloria Fire near Soledad". The Californian. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  17. ^ "Yuba Fire". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  18. ^ Grigsby, Jared. (16 August 2009). "Difficult terrain works against Calif. fire crews". Associated Press.
  19. ^ "Morris Fire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). 2 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  20. ^ "Morris Fire was arson, official says". Pasadena Star-News. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  21. ^ "New fire breaks out near Angeles Crest Highway; forces road closure". Pasadena Star-News. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  22. ^ a b "Station Fire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). 2 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  23. ^ a b "Station Fire Evening Update Sept. 2, 2009". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). 2 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  24. ^ "Firefighters Killed in 'Station Fire' Remembered". KTLA-TV (Channel 5). 1 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  25. ^ "Station Fire Evening Update Aug. 31, 2009". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). 31 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  26. ^ Knoll, Corinna (31 August 2009). "TV, cellphone signals from Mt. Wilson at risk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 September 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Bloomekatz, Ari B. (2 September 2009). "Station fire pushes farther east to above Sierra Madre; cost of battle pegged at $21 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 September 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Womack, Sam. (17 August 2009). "Crews work into the night to corral wildfire". Santa Maria Times.
  29. ^ "La Brea Fire". InciWeb (United States Forest Service). 1 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
  30. ^ {{cite web |title=La Brea Fire Contained |url=http://www.independent.com/news/2009/aug/23/la-brea-fire-contained/ |date=23 August 2009 |publisher=[[Santa Barbara Independent |accessdate=3 September 2009}}
  31. ^ "La Brea Fire believed to be caused by $90 million marijuana operation run by Mexican drug cartel". KSBY-TV (NBC Channel 6). 19 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
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