SQF Complex: Difference between revisions

SQF Complex fire
Part of the August 2020 California lightning siege
SQF Complex fire; Part of the August 2020 California lightning siege
	Fire near Cedar Slope on September 15, 2020
Date(s)	August 19, 2020 –; January 6, 2021;
Location	Tulare County, California, United States
Coordinates	36°15′18″N 118°29′49″W / 36.255°N 118.497°W
Statistics
Total fires	2
Total area	174,178 acres (70,487 ha)
Impacts
Deaths	0
Non-fatal injuries	17
Evacuated	>3,000
Structures destroyed	228
Damage	$122.3 million
Ignition
Cause	Lightning
Map
	; A map of the extent of the SQF Complex
	Location in California

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 04:00, 9 December 2024

The SQF Complex fire—also called the SQF Lightning Complex—was a wildfire complex that burned in Tulare County in Central California in 2020. Comprising the Castle and Shotgun fires, it affected Sequoia National Forest and adjacent areas. Both fires began on August 19, 2020, and burned a combined total of 175,019 acres (70,828 hectares) before the complex as a whole was declared 100 percent contained on January 6, 2021. In the course of the fires, 232 structures were destroyed. There were no fatalities.

The Castle and Shotgun fires were both begun by lightning, part of a 'siege' of hundreds of wildfires caused by dry thunderstorms across California in mid-August 2020. The lightning siege contributed to California's largest wildfire season, by burned acreage, ever recorded. The Castle Fire is notable for its devastating effects on native sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) groves in the southern Sierra Nevada. It is estimated to have caused the death of 10–14 percent of the native large sequoia population there. While the SQF Complex consisted of the two fires together, the Castle Fire was responsible for nearly all of the burned acreage.^[2]

Progression

August

Both fires began in the morning hours of August 19.^[3]^: 80 The Castle Fire was discovered that same day in the Golden Trout Wilderness by a spotter plane.^[4] On August 20, six handcrews totaling 120 personnel were dispatched to the fire. The Shotgun Fire was discovered on August 21 at the confluence of Pistol and Shotgun creeks by aircraft fighting the Castle Fire. On August 23, the Castle Fire crossed the Little Kern River, its burned area increasing from 400 acres (160 ha) to roughly 4,000 acres (1,600 ha).^[5]

For several weeks, the Castle Fire was not considered a major threat to Sequoia National Park or its giant sequoias.^[2]

September

On September 12, low relative humidity levels and strong southeast winds combined to drive the fire to more than 74,000 acres (30,000 ha), and it crossed the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Tule River on the morning of September 13.^[3]^: 80 The 60-mile-per-hour (97 km/h) winds pushed the fire through the 530-acre (210 ha) privately-owned Alder Creek Grove of giant sequoias, killing an estimated 80 or more trees.^[2]

The number of resources on the fire peaked in late September, with more than 160 fire engines assigned and more than 40 bulldozers.^[3]^: 81

October onwards

The SQF Complex was declared 100 percent contained on January 6, 2021.^[6]^[7] The total cost of the fire suppression effort reached $122.3 million.^[8]

A giant sequoia was found still smoldering in Board Camp Grove in May of 2022,^[9] and another tree was observed by a helicopter smoldering in the Belknap Complex in July of 2022.^[10]

Effects

Damage

The small community of Cedar Slope was largely destroyed by the fire with 57 of its 65 cabins completely burned.^[11] In the nearby communities of Alpine Village and Sequoia Crest, 37 and 49 cabins were lost in the fire respectively. No structure damage was reported in nearby Camp Nelson or Ponderosa.^[12] The area remains at risk for mud flows and flash floods due to the charred soil being unable to absorb water.^[13]

Closures and evacuations

As a result of the fire, parts of Route 190 and Route 198 were closed, Sequoia National Park was closed for two weeks ^[14] and parts of Three Rivers were under mandatory evacuation orders. By mid-September, more than 3,000 people had been forced to evacuate their homes.^[15]

Giant sequoias

The Castle fire swept through portions of 22 named giant sequoia groves of the roughly 75 groves scattered along the Sierra Nevada. Some of the most heavily impacted groves included Freeman Creek Grove and the three groves of the Belknap Complex: McIntyre Grove, Wheel Meadow Grove, and the Carr Wilson/Bear Creek Grove.^[16] Initially, researchers estimated that hundreds of giant sequoias had been killed, but the toll was only revised upward. A 2021 report led by National Park Service scientists concluded that over 7,500–10,600 mature trees, 10–14 percent of the species' population, had likely been lost in the fire.^[16]^[17] Near Sequoia Crest, one-third of the Alder Creek Grove of Giant Sequoia is reported as severely damaged.^[18] The large Stagg Tree in Alder Creek Grove was not impacted. Other areas experienced "light fire" which is expected to be ecologically beneficial in the long run. The Homers Nose Grove was also reported as "badly burned".^[2] In virtually every grove affected, extensive Giant Sequoia regeneration thrived especially in places where the fire was severely hot and had killed the most trees.^[19]

References

^ "SQF Complex". InciWeb. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Boxall, Bettina (November 16, 2020). "Hundreds of towering giant sequoias killed by the Castle fire — a stunning loss". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c Morris III, George; Dennis, Carrie (2021). 2020 FIRE SIEGE (PDF) (Report). California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
^ Yeager, Joshua (September 22, 2020). "SQF Complex Fire: Containment nearly doubles to 33%; 1.5 million gallons of retardant dropped". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
^ Yeager, Joshua (August 23, 2020). "Castle Fire erupts near Giant Sequoia National Monument, grows to 4,000 acres overnight". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
^ "SQF Complex reaches containment, fire area remains closed - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. January 6, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
^ Yeager, Joshua (January 7, 2021). "Five months and 174,000 acres later, SQF Complex achieves 100% containment". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^ "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" (PDF). gacc.nifc.gov. Geographic Area Coordination Centers. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2020.
^ Johnson, Lauren M. (May 6, 2021). "A giant Sequoia tree in California is still smoldering from last year's Castle Fire". CNN. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
^ "Giant sequoia trees continue to smolder from past wildfires". Sequoia National Forest. July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
^ "ArcGIS Web Application". tularecounty.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
^ Yeager, Joshua (September 19, 2020). "SQF Complex: Tulare County releases fire damage map, hotline for people needing resources". Visalia Times Delta. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
^ "SQF Complex Fire". InciWeb. September 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
^ Johnson, Brian (October 1, 2020). "Sequoia National Park reopens to visitors". ABC30 Fresno. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
^ Woomer, Eric; Yeager, Joshua; Ward, James; Yang, Vongni (September 15, 2020). "SQF Fire: 104 structures destroyed, more than 3,000 civilians evacuated". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Alexander, Kurtis (June 2, 2021). "Super-hot California wildfire wiped out 10% of world's sequoia trees. Can they survive climate change?". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
^ "Study: California fire killed 10% of world's giant sequoias". Associated Press. June 2, 2021. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
^ "Update on 2020 wildfire in the giant sequoia range". Save the Redwoods League. November 6, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
^ Sue Cag, Kim Dicso (September 20, 2023). "Natural Sequoia Seedlings Thriving After Recent Fires". Retrieved November 23, 2023.

[1] "SQF Complex". InciWeb. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.

[:1-2] Boxall, Bettina (November 16, 2020). "Hundreds of towering giant sequoias killed by the Castle fire — a stunning loss". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.

[:0-3] Morris III, George; Dennis, Carrie (2021). 2020 FIRE SIEGE (PDF) (Report). California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.

[4] Yeager, Joshua (September 22, 2020). "SQF Complex Fire: Containment nearly doubles to 33%; 1.5 million gallons of retardant dropped". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.

[5] Yeager, Joshua (August 23, 2020). "Castle Fire erupts near Giant Sequoia National Monument, grows to 4,000 acres overnight". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2020.

[6] "SQF Complex reaches containment, fire area remains closed - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. January 6, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.

[7] Yeager, Joshua (January 7, 2021). "Five months and 174,000 acres later, SQF Complex achieves 100% containment". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2024.

[8] "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" (PDF). gacc.nifc.gov. Geographic Area Coordination Centers. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2020.

[9] Johnson, Lauren M. (May 6, 2021). "A giant Sequoia tree in California is still smoldering from last year's Castle Fire". CNN. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2020.

[10] "Giant sequoia trees continue to smolder from past wildfires". Sequoia National Forest. July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.

[11] "ArcGIS Web Application". tularecounty.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

[12] Yeager, Joshua (September 19, 2020). "SQF Complex: Tulare County releases fire damage map, hotline for people needing resources". Visalia Times Delta. Retrieved December 7, 2020.

[InciWeb-13] "SQF Complex Fire". InciWeb. September 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.

[14] Johnson, Brian (October 1, 2020). "Sequoia National Park reopens to visitors". ABC30 Fresno. Retrieved December 7, 2020.

[15] Woomer, Eric; Yeager, Joshua; Ward, James; Yang, Vongni (September 15, 2020). "SQF Fire: 104 structures destroyed, more than 3,000 civilians evacuated". Visalia Times-Delta. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.

[:2-16] Alexander, Kurtis (June 2, 2021). "Super-hot California wildfire wiped out 10% of world's sequoia trees. Can they survive climate change?". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.

[17] "Study: California fire killed 10% of world's giant sequoias". Associated Press. June 2, 2021. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.

[18] "Update on 2020 wildfire in the giant sequoia range". Save the Redwoods League. November 6, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

[19] Sue Cag, Kim Dicso (September 20, 2023). "Natural Sequoia Seedlings Thriving After Recent Fires". Retrieved November 23, 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|2020 wildfire burning in Tulare County, California}}
+{{Short description|2020 wildfire in Central California}}
+{{use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
 {{Infobox wildfire
+| title       = SQF Complex fire<br /><small>Part of the [[August 2020 California lightning wildfires|August 2020 California lightning siege]]</small>
-| title       = SQF Complex
 | image       = 2020 09 16-14.10.29.329-CDT.jpg
 | image_size  =
-| caption     = SQF complex near Cedar Slope on Sept 15, 2020
+| caption     = Fire near Cedar Slope on September 15, 2020
 | coordinates = {{coord|36.255|-118.497}}
 | location    = [[Tulare County, California|Tulare County]], [[California]], United States
@@ Line 10: / Line 11: @@
 | total_fires = 2
 | total_area  = {{Convert|174,178|acre|ha|0}}
-| cost        = Unknown
+| cost        = $122.3 million
 | cause       = Lightning
-| date        = {{dts|2020|08|19}} - {{dts|2021|1|5}}
+| date        = {{Unbulleted list|{{Start date|2020|08|19}} – |{{End date|2021|01|06}}}}
-| injuries    =
+| injuries    = 17
-| fatalities  =
+| fatalities  = 0
-| buildings   =
+| buildings   = 228
 | pushpin_map         = California
 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in California
+|evacuated=>3,000|image_map=2020 SQF Complex map.png|image_map_caption=A map of the extent of the SQF Complex|image_map_alt=Refer to caption.}}
-}}
-{{OSM Location map
-| coord = {{coord|36.255|-118.497}}
-|  zoom = 10
-| float = right
-| width = 250
-| height = 200
-| caption = Location of SQF Complex
-|   title =
-|  scalemark = 100
-|      shape1 = image
-|       mark1 = FireIcon.svg
-| mark-coord1 = {{coord|36.255|-118.497}}
-| mark-size1  = 20
-|      label1 = SQF Complex
-|  label-pos1 = left
-| label-size1 = 14
-|label-color1 = black
-| label-offset-x1=
-| label-offset-y1=
-|mark-title1=SQF Complex
-}}
-'''SQF Complex''' or '''Sequoia Complex''' is one of the [[August 2020 California lightning wildfires]], currently burning in [[Sequoia National Forest]] and adjacent areas. Sparked on August 19, it coalesced from the Castle and Shotgun fires. As of January 5, 2021, it has burned {{convert|174,178|acres|ha|0|abbr=}} and is 100% contained.<ref name="InciWeb"/>
+The '''SQF Complex fire'''—also called the '''SQF Lightning Complex'''—was a [[wildfire]] complex that burned in [[Tulare County, California|Tulare County]] in [[Central California]] in 2020. Comprising the Castle and Shotgun fires, it affected [[Sequoia National Forest]] and adjacent areas. Both fires began on August 19, 2020, and burned a combined total of {{convert|175019|acres|ha|abbr=off}} before the complex as a whole was declared 100 percent contained on January 6, 2021. In the course of the fires, 232 structures were destroyed. There were no fatalities.
-== Property lost ==
+The Castle and Shotgun fires were both begun by lightning, part of a [[August 2020 California lightning wildfires|'siege' of hundreds of wildfires]] caused by [[Dry thunderstorm|dry thunderstorms]] across California in mid-August 2020. The lightning siege contributed to California's [[2020 California wildfires|largest wildfire season]], by burned acreage, ever recorded. The Castle Fire is notable for its devastating effects on native [[Sequoiadendron giganteum|sequoia]] (''Sequoiadendron giganteum'') groves in the southern [[Sierra Nevada]]. It is estimated to have caused the death of 10–14 percent of the native large sequoia population there. While the SQF Complex consisted of the two fires together, the Castle Fire was responsible for nearly all of the burned acreage.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Boxall |first=Bettina |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Hundreds of towering giant sequoias killed by the Castle fire — a stunning loss |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-11-16/sierra-nevada-giant-sequoias-killed-castle-fire |url-status=live |access-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027220645/https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-11-16/sierra-nevada-giant-sequoias-killed-castle-fire |archive-date=October 27, 2023}}</ref>
-The small community of [[Cedar Slope]] was largely destroyed by the fire with 57 of its 65 cabins completely burned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://tularecounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f452093b7c6c439e8844093804c0c347|access-date=2021-01-05|website=tularecounty.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> In the nearby communities of Alpine Village and [[Sequoia Crest]], 37 and 49 cabins were lost in the fire respectively. No structure damage has been reported in nearby [[Camp Nelson, California|Camp Nelson]] or [[Ponderosa, California|Ponderosa]]. <ref>{{cite web|first=Joshua|last=Yeager|title=SQF Complex: Tulare County releases fire damage map, hotline for people needing resources|website=Visalia Times Delta|url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/09/19/sqf-complex-fire-damage-map-hotline/5841309002/|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> The area remains at risk for mud flows and flash floods due to the charred soil being unable to absorb water. <ref name="InciWeb">{{cite web |title=SQF Complex Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/ |website=InciWeb |access-date=October 12, 2020 |date=September 13, 2020}}</ref>
+== Progression ==
-== Evacuations and road closures ==
+=== August ===
+Both fires began in the morning hours of August 19.<ref name=":0">{{Cite report |url=https://34c031f8-c9fd-4018-8c5a-4159cdff6b0d-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/calfire-website/our-impact/fire-statistics/cal-fire-2020-fire-siege.pdf?rev=1b7ef7b1dc154bbb802837b4ed926ed3&hash=6B24123C6C744A0DA95D5FE37DC70FD5 |title=2020 FIRE SIEGE |last1=Morris III |first1=George |last2=Dennis |first2=Carrie |date=2021 |publisher=[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] (Cal Fire) |access-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905060114/https://34c031f8-c9fd-4018-8c5a-4159cdff6b0d-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/calfire-website/our-impact/fire-statistics/cal-fire-2020-fire-siege.pdf?rev=1b7ef7b1dc154bbb802837b4ed926ed3&hash=6B24123C6C744A0DA95D5FE37DC70FD5 |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|page=80}} The Castle Fire was discovered that same day in the [[Golden Trout Wilderness]] by a spotter plane.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yeager |first=Joshua |date=September 22, 2020 |title=SQF Complex Fire: Containment nearly doubles to 33%; 1.5 million gallons of retardant dropped |url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/09/22/sqf-complex-fire-containment-nearly-doubles-33/5867902002/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128232159/https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/09/22/sqf-complex-fire-containment-nearly-doubles-33/5867902002/ |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=February 16, 2024 |work=[[Visalia Times-Delta]]}}</ref> On August 20, six [[Handcrew|handcrews]] totaling 120 personnel were dispatched to the fire. The Shotgun Fire was discovered on August 21 at the confluence of Pistol and Shotgun creeks by aircraft fighting the Castle Fire. On August 23, the Castle Fire crossed the [[Little Kern River]], its burned area increasing from {{convert|400|acres|ha|abbr=out}} to roughly {{convert|4000|acres|ha|abbr=out}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yeager |first=Joshua |date=August 23, 2020 |title=Castle Fire erupts near Giant Sequoia National Monument, grows to 4,000 acres overnight |work=[[Visalia Times-Delta]] |url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/08/22/castle-fire-erupts-near-giant-sequoia-national-monument-california-wildfires/3421107001/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604201347/https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/08/22/castle-fire-erupts-near-giant-sequoia-national-monument-california-wildfires/3421107001/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023}}</ref>
+For several weeks, the Castle Fire was not considered a major threat to Sequoia National Park or its giant sequoias.<ref name=":1" />
-As a result of the fire, parts of [[California State Route 190|Route 190]] and [[California State Route 198|Route 198]] were closed, [[Sequoia National Park]] were closed for two weeks <ref>{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Johnson|title=Sequoia National Park reopens to visitors|url=https://abc30.com/sequoia-national-park-sqf-complex-fire-forest-kings-canyon/6695522/|website=ABC30 Fresno|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> and parts of [[Three Rivers, California|Three Rivers]] were under mandatory evacuation orders. The fire is burning in Sequoia National Forest, [[Inyo National Forest]], and the [[Golden Trout Wilderness]]. On 14 September, the fire crossed the boundary into Sequoia National Park.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Brian |last2=Staff |first2=ABC30 Com |title=SQF Complex Fire: 90,845 acres burned, evacuation orders issued for Three Rivers area |url=https://abc30.com/sqf-fire-tulare-county-evacs/6422420/ |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=ABC30 Fresno |date=14 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Romero |first1=Joe Jacquez and Sheyanne N. |title=SQF Complex Fire grows, portions of Three Rivers under mandatory evacuations. What we know. |url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/09/14/sqf-complex-sequoia-castle-fire-update-map-closures-evacuations-three-rivers/5788830002/ |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=VisaliaTimesDelta.com}}</ref>
+=== September ===
-== Impact on Sequoia Groves ==
+On September 12, low relative humidity levels and strong southeast winds combined to drive the fire to more than {{convert|74000|acres|ha|abbr=out}}, and it crossed the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Tule River on the morning of September 13.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|page=80}} The {{Convert|60|mph|km/h|adj=mid}} winds pushed the fire through the {{Convert|530|acre|ha|adj=mid}} privately-owned [[Alder Creek Grove]] of giant sequoias, killing an estimated 80 or more trees.<ref name=":1" />
+The number of resources on the fire peaked in late September, with more than 160 fire engines assigned and more than 40 bulldozers.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|page=81}}
-The SQF fire swept through portions of 20 Giant Sequoia Groves. The number of mature Sequoia Trees that died is “certainly in the hundreds – and could easily top 1,000.” The most intense previous fire in this area is dated to 1297 based on tree ring data.
-The McIntrye Grove of [[Sequoiadendron_giganteum|Giant Sequoia]], a short distance to the south from [[Cedar Slope]], is reported as heavily damaged. Near [[Sequoia Crest]], one-third of the Alder Creek Grove of Giant Sequoia is reported as severely damaged.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-06|title=Update on 2020 wildfire in the giant sequoia range|url=https://www.savetheredwoods.org/blog/update-on-2020-wildfire-in-the-giant-sequoia-range/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Save the Redwoods League|language=en-US}}</ref> The large Stagg Tree in Alder Creek Grove was not impacted. Other areas experienced “light fire” which is expected to be ecologically beneficial in the long run. The Homers Nose Grove is also reported as “badly burned”. <ref>{{cite web|title=Hundreds of towering giant sequoias killed by the Castle fire — a stunning loss|first=Bettina|last=Boxtall|website=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-11-16/sierra-nevada-giant-sequoias-killed-castle-fire|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref>
+=== October onwards ===
+The SQF Complex was declared 100 percent contained on January 6, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=SQF Complex reaches containment, fire area remains closed - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7048/58932/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |access-date=19 September 2021 |date=January 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yeager |first=Joshua |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Five months and 174,000 acres later, SQF Complex achieves 100% containment |url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2021/01/07/sqf-complex-100-contained/6573673002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207201911/https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2021/01/07/sqf-complex-100-contained/6573673002/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=[[Visalia Times-Delta]]}}</ref> The total cost of the fire suppression effort reached $122.3 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2020 |title=National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report |url=https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229021815/https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |website=gacc.nifc.gov |publisher=Geographic Area Coordination Centers}}</ref>
+A giant sequoia was found still smoldering in Board Camp Grove in May of 2022,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Lauren M. |date=May 6, 2021 |title=A giant Sequoia tree in California is still smoldering from last year's Castle Fire |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/06/weather/sequoia-tree-still-smoldering-california-castle-fire-trnd/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525030215/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/06/weather/sequoia-tree-still-smoldering-california-castle-fire-trnd/index.html |archive-date=May 25, 2023}}</ref> and another tree was observed by a helicopter smoldering in the Belknap Complex in July of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-25 |title=Giant sequoia trees continue to smolder from past wildfires |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1045759 |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Sequoia National Forest}}</ref>
+== Effects ==
+=== Damage ===
+The small community of [[Cedar Slope]] was largely destroyed by the fire with 57 of its 65 cabins completely burned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://tularecounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f452093b7c6c439e8844093804c0c347|access-date=2021-01-05|website=tularecounty.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> In the nearby communities of Alpine Village and [[Sequoia Crest]], 37 and 49 cabins were lost in the fire respectively. No structure damage was reported in nearby [[Camp Nelson, California|Camp Nelson]] or [[Ponderosa, California|Ponderosa]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Joshua|last=Yeager|title=SQF Complex: Tulare County releases fire damage map, hotline for people needing resources|website=Visalia Times Delta|url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/09/19/sqf-complex-fire-damage-map-hotline/5841309002/|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> The area remains at risk for mud flows and flash floods due to the charred soil being unable to absorb water.<ref name="InciWeb">{{cite web |title=SQF Complex Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/ |website=InciWeb |access-date=October 12, 2020 |date=September 13, 2020}}</ref>
+=== Closures and evacuations ===
+As a result of the fire, parts of [[California State Route 190|Route 190]] and [[California State Route 198|Route 198]] were closed, [[Sequoia National Park]] was closed for two weeks <ref>{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Johnson|title=Sequoia National Park reopens to visitors|url=https://abc30.com/sequoia-national-park-sqf-complex-fire-forest-kings-canyon/6695522/|website=ABC30 Fresno|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> and parts of [[Three Rivers, California|Three Rivers]] were under mandatory evacuation orders. By mid-September, more than 3,000 people had been forced to evacuate their homes.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Woomer |first1=Eric |last2=Yeager |first2=Joshua |last3=Ward |first3=James |last4=Yang |first4=Vongni |date=September 15, 2020 |title=SQF Fire: 104 structures destroyed, more than 3,000 civilians evacuated |url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/09/14/balch-parks-future-unknown-castle-fire-runs-through-park-sequoia-national-park-to-close/5800436002/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202105002/https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2020/09/14/balch-parks-future-unknown-castle-fire-runs-through-park-sequoia-national-park-to-close/5800436002/ |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=February 16, 2024 |work=[[Visalia Times-Delta]]}}</ref>
+=== Giant sequoias ===
+The Castle fire swept through portions of 22 named giant sequoia groves of the roughly 75 groves scattered along the Sierra Nevada. Some of the most heavily impacted groves included [[Freeman Creek Grove]] and the three groves of the [[Belknap Complex]]: McIntyre Grove, Wheel Meadow Grove, and the Carr Wilson/Bear Creek Grove.<ref name=":2" /> Initially, researchers estimated that hundreds of giant sequoias had been killed, but the toll was only revised upward. A 2021 report led by National Park Service scientists concluded that over 7,500–10,600 mature trees, 10–14 percent of the species' population, had likely been lost in the fire.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Kurtis |date=June 2, 2021 |title=Super-hot California wildfire wiped out 10% of world's sequoia trees. Can they survive climate change? |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/10-of-world-s-giant-sequoias-killed-in-16220971.php |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419115338/https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/10-of-world-s-giant-sequoias-killed-in-16220971.php |archive-date=April 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 2, 2021 |title=Study: California fire killed 10% of world's giant sequoias |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/california-fire-killed-10-percent-redwood-trees-63c80e8d28e32596637f3ecc29cfe3c8 |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711225352/https://apnews.com/article/california-fire-killed-10-percent-redwood-trees-63c80e8d28e32596637f3ecc29cfe3c8 |archive-date=July 11, 2023}}</ref> Near [[Sequoia Crest]], one-third of the Alder Creek Grove of Giant Sequoia is reported as severely damaged.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-06|title=Update on 2020 wildfire in the giant sequoia range|url=https://www.savetheredwoods.org/blog/update-on-2020-wildfire-in-the-giant-sequoia-range/|access-date=2021-01-05|publisher=Save the Redwoods League|language=en-US}}</ref> The large Stagg Tree in Alder Creek Grove was not impacted. Other areas experienced "light fire" which is expected to be ecologically beneficial in the long run. The Homers Nose Grove was also reported as "badly burned".<ref name=":1" /> In virtually every grove affected, extensive Giant Sequoia regeneration thrived especially in places where the fire was severely hot and had killed the most trees.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sue Cag|first=Kim Dicso|date=2023-09-20|title=Natural Sequoia Seedlings Thriving After Recent Fires|url=https://www.ilovetrees.net/sequoia-seedlings-after-fire/|access-date=2023-11-23}}</ref>
 == See also ==
+*[[Rough Fire]] – 2015 wildfire in Fresno County that killed giant sequoia trees
-*[[2020 California wildfires]]
+*[[Railroad Fire]] – 2017 wildfire in Mariposa and Madera counties that killed giant sequoia trees
-**[[August 2020 California lightning wildfires]]
+*[[Pier Fire]] – 2017 wildfire in Tulare County that killed giant sequoia trees
-***[[LNU Lightning Complex fires]]
+*[[KNP Complex Fire]] – 2021 wildfire in Tulare County that killed giant sequoia trees
-***[[SCU Lightning Complex fires]]
+*[[Windy Fire]] – 2021 wildfire in Tulare County that killed giant sequoia trees
-***[[CZU Lightning Complex fires]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 66: / Line 63: @@
 {{California wildfires}}
-{{California wildfires by size}}
 [[Category:2020 California wildfires]]
 [[Category:Sequoia National Park]]

v t e California wildfires
Pre-2007	Santiago Canyon (1889) Berkeley (1923) Matilija (1932) Griffith Park (1933) Rattlesnake (1953) Harlow (1961) Bel Air (1961) Loop (1966) Laguna (1970) Marble Cone (1977) Agoura-Malibu (1978) Panorama (1980) 49er (1988) Painted Cave (1990) Tunnel (1991) Fountain (1992) Kinneloa (1993) Laguna (1993) Mount Vision (1995) Pendola (1999) Jones (1999) Storrie (2000) Poe (2001) Wolf (2002) Copper (2002) Biscuit (2002) McNally (2002) Curve (2002) Williams (2002) Old (2003) Simi (2003) Cedar (2003) Power (2004) Rumsey (2004) Topanga (2005) Sawtooth Complex (2006) Day (2006) Esperanza (2006)
2007	Island Angora Zaca Moonlight October 2007 wildfires Buckweed Harris Witch Santiago Rice Corral
2008	Summit Indians Basin Complex Klamath Theater Complex Gap Telegraph Sesnon Tea Sayre Freeway Complex
2009	Jesusita La Brea Lockheed Station Guiberson
2010	Bull West Crown
2011	Lion Comanche Complex
2012	Reading Chips Barry Point Rush Ponderosa
2013	Summit Springs Powerhouse Mountain Silver Rim Clover
2014	Colby Etiwanda May 2014 San Diego County wildfires Tomahawk Poinsettia Cocos Shirley Butts Bully Happy Camp Complex Meadow King Boles
2015	Round Lake North Wragg Rocky Mad River Complex Humboldt Complex Frog Rough Jerusalem Cuesta Butte Valley Tassajara
2016	Sherpa Border San Gabriel Complex Erskine Trailhead Curry Sand Soberanes Cold Pilot Chimney Clayton Blue Cut Rey Bogart Canyon Loma
2017	Gate Holcomb Schaeffer Salmon August Complex Manzanita Winters Alamo Wall Whittier Garza Detwiler Empire Parker 2 Young Pier Railroad Ponderosa Mud Slinkard Helena La Tuna Palmer Mission October 2017 Northern California wildfires Atlas Tubbs Canyon 2 December 2017 Southern California wildfires Thomas Creek Rye Skirball Lilac
2018	Lions Lane Pawnee Waverly County Klamathon Valley Georges Ferguson Natchez Carr Cranston Mendocino Complex Whaleback Donnell Holy Hirz Delta Camp Woolsey
2019	Sand West Butte Tucker Mountain Tenaja Walker Taboose Lime Red Bank South Lone Sandalwood Saddleridge Nustar Kincade Tick Getty Easy Maria
2020	Quail Grant Crews Soledad Mineral 2020 Lassen County wildfires Gold Loyalton Red Salmon Complex Apple August 2020 lightning wildfires Lake Dome River CZU Lightning Complex SCU Lightning Complex August Complex LNU Lightning Complex North Complex SQF Complex Dolan Creek El Dorado Bobcat Slater/Devil Oak Glass Zogg Silverado Mountain View Bond
2021	Palisades Willow Lava Tennant Salt Beckwourth Complex Tamarack Dixie McFarland Monument River Complex McCash Antelope River Caldor French KNP Complex Windy Fawn
2022	Colorado Electra Washburn Oak McKinney Red Route Border 32 Mill Fairview Mosquito SRF Lightning Complex
2023	Rabbit Deep Pika York
2024	Corral Lake Post Point Thompson Borel Basin Park Nixon Pedro Boise Coffee Pot Line Bridge Airport Mountain Franklin
2025	Palisades Eaton Fire
Category Commons