2020 Western United States wildfire season: Difference between revisions
Updating acres & containment%: adding some fires |
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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> |
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{{short description|Wildfires in the United States in 2020}} |
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<noinclude>{{User:RMCD bot/subject notice|1=2020 Western United States wildfires|2=Talk:September 2020 Western United States wildfires#Requested move 14 September 2020 }}</noinclude> |
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{{current wildfire}} |
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{{use American English|date=September 2020}} |
{{use American English|date=September 2020}} |
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{{ |
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}} |
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{{Infobox wildfire |
{{Infobox wildfire |
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| title = 2020 Western United States |
| title = 2020 Western United States wildfire season |
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| image = GOES17 geocolor Western US 2020-09-09 1100AM.jpg |
| image = GOES17 geocolor Western US 2020-09-09 1100AM.jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = Satellite image of the smoke from the wildfires burning in California and Oregon on [[Orange Skies Day|September 9, 2020]] |
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| location = [[Western United States]] |
| location = [[Western United States]] |
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| cost = >$ |
| cost = >$19.884 billion (2020 USD)<!-- total includes 7 NIFC geographic areas: Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Northern and Southern California, the Great Basin, the Southwest, and the Rocky Mountain Area --><ref name="NOAAbillion">{{cite web|publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information|date=December 2020|access-date=January 13, 2021|title=Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Events|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/events}}</ref><ref name="Large Incident Report">{{cite report|title=2020 National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report|work=Geographic Area Coordination Center|url=https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf|publisher=[[National Interagency Fire Center]]|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229021815/https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf|archive-date=December 29, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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| date = {{Start date|2020|7|24}} – {{End date| |
| date = {{Start date|2020|7|24}} – {{End date|2020|12|31}} |
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| references = <ref name="CalFire Stats">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/ |title=Fire Statistics |website=[[CAL FIRE]] |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628081514/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
| references = <ref name="CalFire Stats">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/ |title=Fire Statistics |website=[[CAL FIRE]] |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628081514/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| total_fires = 100+ |
| total_fires = 100+{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} |
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| total_area = |
| total_area = {{convert|10,200,000|acres|ha}}<ref name="NOAAbillion" /><ref name="Large Incident Report" /> |
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<!-- total includes 5 NIFC geographic areas: alaska, northwest, northern and southern california, and great basin --> |
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| buildings = 6,500+?<ref name="Large Incident Report" /> |
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| buildings = 13,887<ref name="Large Incident Report" /> |
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| fatalities = 35<ref name=Toll>{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Duvernay |last2=Bacon |first2=John |title='I could never have envisioned this': At least 35 dead as nearly 100 wildfires continue to rage across 12 Western states |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/i-could-never-have-envisioned-this-at-least-35-dead-as-nearly-100-wildfires-continue-to-rage-across-12-western-states/ar-BB18ZJTe?ocid=msedgdhp |language=en-US |publisher=[[Microsoft News]] |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114411/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/i-could-never-have-envisioned-this-at-least-35-dead-as-nearly-100-wildfires-continue-to-rage-across-12-western-states/ar-BB18ZJTe?ocid=msedgdhp |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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<!-- total includes 5 NIFC geographic areas: alaska, northwest, northern and southern california, and great basin --> |
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| injuries = unknown |
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| fatalities = 47 direct (32 in California, 11 in Oregon, 1 in Washington, 1 in Arizona, 2 in Colorado)<ref>{{cite web |title=Officials identify pilot who died in helicopter crash while responding to Polles Fire |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-wildfires/2020/07/07/firefighting-helicopter-responding-polles-fire-near-payson-arizona-crashes-officials-say/5393409002/ |website=azcentral.com |publisher=Helena Wegner, Audrey Jensen, Perry Vandell |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Reviewing the horrid global 2020 wildfire season |url=https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/01/reviewing-the-horrid-global-2020-wildfire-season/ |website=yaleclimateconnections.org |date=January 4, 2021 |publisher=Jeff Masters |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> 1,200 to 3,000 indirect (caused by the adverse effects of smoke inhalation)<ref name="sfchronicle.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Hidden-cost-of-wildfire-smoke-Stanford-15595754.php|title='Hidden cost' of wildfire smoke: Stanford researchers estimate up to 3,000 indirect deaths|date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> |
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| injuries = Unknown |
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}} |
}} |
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{{2020 Western United States wildfire season}} |
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The [[Western United States]] experienced a series of major [[wildfires]] in 2020. Severe August thunderstorms ignited numerous wildfires across [[2020 California wildfires|California]], [[2020 Oregon wildfires|Oregon]], and [[2020 Washington wildfires|Washington]], followed in early September by additional ignitions across the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]. Fanned by strong, gusty winds and fueled by hot, dry terrains, many of the fires exploded and coalesced into record-breaking [[Megafire (fire)|megafires]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freedman |first1=Andrew |title=Western wildfires: An 'unprecedented' climate change fueled event, experts say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/09/11/western-wildfires-climate-change/ |access-date=September 11, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911225454/https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/09/11/western-wildfires-climate-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref> burning more than {{convert|10.2|e6acre|km2|abbr=off}} of land,<ref name="NOAAbillion" /><ref name="Large Incident Report" /><!-- total includes 7 NIFC geographic areas: Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Northern and Southern California, the Great Basin, the Southwest, and the Rocky Mountain Area --> mobilizing tens of thousands of firefighters, razing over ten thousand buildings,<ref name="Large Incident Report" /><!-- total includes 7 NIFC geographic areas: Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Northern and Southern California, the Great Basin, the Southwest, and the Rocky Mountain Area --> and killing at least 37 people.<ref name=Toll>{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Duvernay |last2=Bacon |first2=John |title='I could never have envisioned this': At least 35 dead as nearly 100 wildfires continue to rage across 12 Western states |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/i-could-never-have-envisioned-this-at-least-35-dead-as-nearly-100-wildfires-continue-to-rage-across-12-western-states/ar-BB18ZJTe?ocid=msedgdhp |language=en-US |publisher=[[Microsoft News]] |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114411/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/i-could-never-have-envisioned-this-at-least-35-dead-as-nearly-100-wildfires-continue-to-rage-across-12-western-states/ar-BB18ZJTe?ocid=msedgdhp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=September 10, 2020|title=Historic Wildfires Rage in Western States|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/wildfires-photos-california-oregon-washington-state.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 14, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912005412/https://www.nytimes.com/article/wildfires-photos-california-oregon-washington-state.html}}</ref> The fires caused over $19.884 billion (2020 [[United States dollar|USD]]) in damages,<ref name="NOAAbillion" /><ref name="Large Incident Report" /> including $16.5 billion in property damage and $3.384 billion in fire suppression costs.<ref name="NOAAbillion" /><ref name="Large Incident Report" /> [[Climate change]] and poor [[forest management]] practices contributed to the severity of the wildfires.<ref>[https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Are-climate-change-or-poor-forest-management-15564031.php Is climate change worsening California fires, or is it poor forest management? Both, experts say] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914220602/https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Are-climate-change-or-poor-forest-management-15564031.php |date=September 14, 2020 }}. ''San Francisco Chronicle.'' Retrieved: September 14, 2020.</ref> |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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{{further| |
{{further|Disturbance (ecology)|Fire ecology|Fire regime|Native American use of fire in ecosystems|Wildfires in the United States}} |
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=== Fire, environment, and cultural shift === |
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=== The "Northern Hemisphere just had its hottest summer on record" === |
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[[File:Wildland Fire in Ecosystems 15-1-2.png|thumb|246px|[[Fire regime]]s of United States vegetation]] |
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{{quote|The [[Northern Hemisphere]] January-August [[Instrumental temperature record|land]] and [[Sea surface temperature|ocean surface temperature]] tied with 2016 as the warmest such period since global records began in 1880. The [[Southern Hemisphere]] had its third-warmest such period (tied with 2017) on record, behind 2016 and 2019.<ref name="NOAA News 14 Sep 2020">{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Northern Hemisphere just had its hottest summer on record: August 2020 ended as 2nd hottest for the globe |url=https://www.noaa.gov/news/northern-hemisphere-just-had-its-hottest-summer-on-record |website= |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |accessdate=16 September 2020}}</ref> |
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Save for areas along the [[Pacific coast]] and mountain ridgetops, [[North America]] tends to be wetter in the east and drier in the west. This creates ideal conditions in the West for lightning sparked and wind driven storms to spread large-scale, seasonal wildfires.<ref name=bill_tripp/><ref name="Indigenous fire stewardship">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Indigenous Fire Stewardship|quote=Climatically, there are fire-prone ecosystems on nearly every continent that evolved natural fire regimes regionally (Bond et al. 2005). Within many of the fire-prone ecosystems, Indigenous adaptations for burning and resultant cultural fire regimes, as coupled socio-ecological systems, reflected their need to "learn to live with fire" (Spies et al. 2014; McWethy et al 2013). Spatially, Indigenous fire stewardship practices had the highest influence around settlements, their wildland-urban interface (e.g., permanent villages, seasonal camps) and travel corridors (i.e., trails and roads) that linked with more intensively managed habitats containing food, material-fiber/basketry, wildlife/prey, and other desired resources (Turner et al. 2003). Frequent and diversified Indigenous burning coupled with natural ignitions reduced fuel loading, which often lowered the intensity and resultant severity of subsequent fires. As such, burning increased the proportion of fire-adapted vegetation (biodiversity) and heterogeneous habitats (mosaics) which greatly reduced the threat of and impacts of non-desired wildfires (Mistry et al. 2016). ... Indigenous knowledge is the broader aspects of individual, family, and community's cultural learning, understanding, and beliefs regarding metaphysical and biophysical relationships of people and their environment. Such knowledge encompasses a wide range of historical and contemporary relationships Indigenous peoples have with the world - including fire. / In Indigenous cultures, resilience is considered as a holistic concept - everything is related (Berkes and Ross 2003; Turner et al. 2003). Indigenous peoples believe they have a responsibility passed down from their Creator to be stewards of the land. In relation to wildland fire - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are tied to the health of the Earth. Many Indigenous cultures cannot be resilient without a healthy landscape to exercise cultural fire-related practices on.|archive-date=March 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329202311/https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/58212|editor-first=S. L.|editor-last=Manzello|others=Christianson, A.C.|first=F.K.|last=Lake|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/58212|location=Cham, Switzerland|publisher=Springer Nature Switzerland AG|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Wildfires and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires|year=2019|pages=1–9|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-51727-8_225-1|isbn=978-3-319-51727-8|s2cid=199900451 |url-status=live}}</ref> Human societies practicing cultural burns developed in these conditions. Various [[Native American use of fire in ecosystems|Indigenous controlled fire practices]],<ref name="Indigenous fire stewardship" /> as well as their adoption by settlers, were curtailed and outlawed during the [[European colonization of the Americas]], culminating with the modern fire suppression era, signified by the [[Weeks Act]] of 1911, which formalized paradigmatic changes in ecosystem priorities and management.<ref name="bill_tripp">{{cite web |last1=Tripp |first1=Bill |title=Our land was taken. But we still hold the knowledge of how to stop mega-fires |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/16/california-wildfires-cultural-burns-indigenous-people |website=The Guardian |date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918215436/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/16/california-wildfires-cultural-burns-indigenous-people |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=This is an opinion article. [[WP:RSEDITORIAL]]|date=September 2020}}<ref name="Native Solutions to Big Fires">{{Cite journal |title=Native Solutions to Big Fires: Cultural burning practices are working to reduce wildfires in northern Australia. Can they work in California, too? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/us/native-american-controlled-burns-california-wildfires.html |last=Fuller |first=Thomas |date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2020 |url-status=live |issue=California Today |journal=The New York Times |quote=Scholars have noted parallel experiences of Indigenous groups when they came into contact with European conquerors. Bans on burning came into force in both Australia and California after colonization, and natives were punished if they persisted in burning. This attitude toward fire was later manifested in public admonitions such as the Smokey Bear campaigns warning against setting wildfires. For more than a century, the policy of the United States has been to "eliminate every fire", said Leaf Hillman, a member of the Karuk tribe who is active in fire activities. "It's catching up with us now and we are paying the price for it." |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312015019/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/us/native-american-controlled-burns-california-wildfires.html }}</ref> Land was protected from fire, and vegetation accumulated near settlements, increasing the risk of explosive, smoky [[conflagration]]s. |
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|author=United States [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |
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Many indigenous tribes, including the [[Karuk people|Karuk]], have passed down cultural memories of adaptations to fire-prone ecosystems, including [[cultural burning]]. In the last few decades, these have been acknowledged by the [[United States Forest Service]], [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Karuk's Innate Relationship with Fire: Adapting to Climate Change on the Klamath {{!}} U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit|url=https://toolkit.climate.gov/case-studies/karuk%E2%80%99s-innate-relationship-fire-adapting-climate-change-klamath|access-date=2020-09-26|website=toolkit.climate.gov|language=en}}</ref> and other agencies in American colonial nations.<ref name="Native Solutions to Big Fires"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cabrera |first1=Yvette |title=With wildfires on the rise, indigenous fire management is poised to make a comeback |date=January 31, 2020 |url=https://grist.org/justice/with-wildfires-on-the-rise-indigenous-fire-management-is-poised-to-make-a-comeback/ |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919055029/https://grist.org/justice/with-wildfires-on-the-rise-indigenous-fire-management-is-poised-to-make-a-comeback/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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While lightning sparked ignitions are typical of [[Fire ecology|fire-prone ecosystems]], higher human population and increased development in the [[wildland–urban interface]] has increased accidental and intentional sparking of destructive fires.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ecological Benefits of Fire |url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecological-benefits-fire |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=education.nationalgeographic.org |language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Record hemispheric heat === |
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{{blockquote|The [[Northern Hemisphere]] January–August [[Instrumental temperature record|land]] and [[Sea surface temperature|ocean surface temperature]] tied with 2016 as the warmest such period since global records began in 1880. The [[Southern Hemisphere]] had its third-warmest such period (tied with 2017) on record, behind 2016 and 2019.<ref name="NOAA News 14 Sep 2020">{{cite web|title=Northern Hemisphere just had its hottest summer on record: August 2020 ended as 2nd hottest for the globe |url=https://www.noaa.gov/news/northern-hemisphere-just-had-its-hottest-summer-on-record |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=16 September 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916214408/https://www.noaa.gov/news/northern-hemisphere-just-had-its-hottest-summer-on-record |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|author=United States [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]], September 14, 2020 |
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[[File:United States Map of Year-to-Date through 8 September 2020 U.S. Drought Monitor Animation.gif|thumb|upright=1.333|Year-to-date (through September 8, 2020) animation of extent and intensity of [[drought in the United States]] maintained by the [[University of Nebraska-Lincoln]] |
[[File:United States Map of Year-to-Date through 8 September 2020 U.S. Drought Monitor Animation.gif|thumb|upright=1.333|Year-to-date (through September 8, 2020) animation of extent and intensity of [[drought in the United States]] maintained by the [[University of Nebraska-Lincoln]]<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Drought Monitor Animations |url=https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/Animations.aspx |website=The National Drought Mitigation Center |publisher=University of Nebraska-Lincoln |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917095039/https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/Animations.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>]] |
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Record dry weather struck the [[Western United States]] in late 2019, extending all the way through the winter of 2020. The lack of precipitation prompted concerns from state governments and the press.<ref name="West Coast Conditions"> |
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* {{cite |
* {{cite news|last1=Leonard|first1=Diana|title=Dry California winter prompts wildfire and drought concerns|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/03/02/dry-california-winter-prompts-wildfire-drought-concerns/|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 2, 2020|archive-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704025005/https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/03/02/dry-california-winter-prompts-wildfire-drought-concerns/|url-status=live}} |
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* {{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Diana|title=Wind, fuel, heat: 3 factors combined to set western Oregon ablaze|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/09/wind-fuel-heat-3-factors-combined-to-set-western-oregon-ablaze.html/|work=[[The Oregonian]]|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911134040/https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/09/wind-fuel-heat-3-factors-combined-to-set-western-oregon-ablaze.html|url-status=live}} |
* {{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Diana|title=Wind, fuel, heat: 3 factors combined to set western Oregon ablaze|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/09/wind-fuel-heat-3-factors-combined-to-set-western-oregon-ablaze.html/|work=[[The Oregonian]]|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911134040/https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/09/wind-fuel-heat-3-factors-combined-to-set-western-oregon-ablaze.html|url-status=live}} |
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* {{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Diana|title=Dry conditions spark concerns about wildfire danger in Washington state|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/dry-conditions-and-wildfire-danger-in-washington-state/281-b223797d-e4f2-48ed-9b53-e490d3430cf3/|work=[[KHOU]]|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114411/https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/dry-conditions-and-wildfire-danger-in-washington-state/281-b223797d-e4f2-48ed-9b53-e490d3430cf3/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 22, a [[state of emergency]] was declared by California Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] due to a mass die-off of trees throughout the state, potentially increasing the risk of wildfire.<ref name="CNBC State of Emergency" /> Oregon officially declared the start of their wildfire season that same month.<ref name="CNBC State of Emergency">{{cite web|last1=Daniels|first1=Jeff|title=California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency due to increased wildfire risk|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/california-governor-to-declare-state-of-emergency-due-to-wildfire-risk.html|work=[[CNBC]]|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=March 22, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802231206/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/california-governor-to-declare-state-of-emergency-due-to-wildfire-risk.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[KCPQ]]|location=Tacoma|title=Washington, Oregon expected to have worst fire season in the country|date=May 19, 2020|url=https://q13fox.com/2020/05/19/washington-oregon-expected-to-have-worst-fire-season-in-the-country/|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529175843/https://q13fox.com/2020/05/19/washington-oregon-expected-to-have-worst-fire-season-in-the-country/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite light rain in late March and April, severe drought conditions persisted, and were predicted to last late into the year, due to a delayed wet season.<ref name="Accu What's Expected">{{cite web|last1=Roach|first1=John|title=What's expected for the 2020 California wildfire season?|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/whats-expected-for-the-2020-california-wildfire-season/745087|work=[[AccuWeather]]|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705122854/https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/whats-expected-for-the-2020-california-wildfire-season/745087|url-status=live}}</ref> After fires began in Washington in April, several more fires occurred throughout the West Coast, prompting burn ban restrictions in Washington and Oregon, come July.<ref>*{{cite news|publisher=KING-TV|location=Seattle|title=Burn ban issued for all 12 million acres of Washington state's DNR land|date=July 28, 2020|url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/wildfire/burn-ban-washington-state-dnr-land/281-52c49835-34f1-4ab7-be37-3c7c5194d09d|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816102132/https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/wildfire/burn-ban-washington-state-dnr-land/281-52c49835-34f1-4ab7-be37-3c7c5194d09d|url-status=live}} |
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* {{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Diana|title=Dry conditions spark concerns about wildfire danger in Washington state|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/dry-conditions-and-wildfire-danger-in-washington-state/281-b223797d-e4f2-48ed-9b53-e490d3430cf3/|work=[[KHOU]]|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114411/https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/dry-conditions-and-wildfire-danger-in-washington-state/281-b223797d-e4f2-48ed-9b53-e490d3430cf3/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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*{{cite web|url=http://masonwebtv.com/archives/40202|title=Burn Restrictions Effective Thursday|website=Mason Web TV|publisher=Hood Canal Communications|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114415/http://masonwebtv.com/archives/40202|url-status=live}} |
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*{{cite web|title=Fire Marshal issues burn ban for unincorporated areas in King County|publisher=King County, Washington|type=press release|url=https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/news/2020/20200727-burn-ban.aspx|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806210006/https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/news/2020/20200727-burn-ban.aspx|url-status=live}} |
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California was the first to call out a warning.<ref name="CNBC State of Emergency"/> On March 22, a [[state of emergency]] was declared by California Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] due to a mass die-off of trees throughout the state, potentially increasing the risk of wildfire. Oregon officially declared the start of their wildfire season that same month.<ref name="CNBC State of Emergency">{{cite web|last1=Daniels|first1=Jeff|title=California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency due to increased wildfire risk|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/california-governor-to-declare-state-of-emergency-due-to-wildfire-risk.html|work=[[CNBC]]|access-date=March 22, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802231206/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/california-governor-to-declare-state-of-emergency-due-to-wildfire-risk.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[KCPQ]]|location=Tacoma|title=Washington, Oregon expected to have worst fire season in the country|date=May 19, 2020|url=https://q13fox.com/2020/05/19/washington-oregon-expected-to-have-worst-fire-season-in-the-country/|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529175843/https://q13fox.com/2020/05/19/washington-oregon-expected-to-have-worst-fire-season-in-the-country/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite light rain in late March and April, severe drought conditions persisted, and were predicted to last late into the year, due to a delayed wet season.<ref name="Accu What's Expected">{{cite web|last1=Roach|first1=John|title=What's expected for the 2020 California wildfire season?|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/whats-expected-for-the-2020-california-wildfire-season/745087|work=[[AccuWeather]]|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705122854/https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/whats-expected-for-the-2020-california-wildfire-season/745087|url-status=live}}</ref> After fires began in Washington in April, several more fires occurred throughout the West Coast, prompting burn ban restrictions in the Washington and Oregon, come July.<ref> |
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* |
*{{cite web|website=official website|publisher=Whatcom County, Washington Fire Marshal|title=Burn Ban Restrictions Effective 8:00am, Monday, July 27, 2020|url=https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/49092/July-17-2020-Burn-Ban-Press-Release|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114415/https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/49092/July-17-2020-Burn-Ban-Press-Release|url-status=live}} |
||
* |
*{{cite news|newspaper=The Olympian|location=Olympia, Washington|title=Thurston County burn ban in effect through September|date=July 18, 2020|url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article244308602.html|last=Gentzler|first=Sara|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114423/https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article244308602.html|url-status=live}} |
||
* |
*{{cite web|url=https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/982/Outdoor-Burning|title=Outdoor burning|website=Pierce County, WA - Fire Prevention Bureau|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807031230/https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/982/Outdoor-Burning|url-status=live}} |
||
* |
*{{Cite web|title=Oregon fire season opens statewide|url=https://www.heraldandnews.com/coronavirus/oregon-fire-season-opens-statewide/article_c38f1197-20e6-5a2f-afa4-74e2a05cf307.html|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=Herald and News|language=en|date=July 5, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114416/https://www.heraldandnews.com/coronavirus/oregon-fire-season-opens-statewide/article_c38f1197-20e6-5a2f-afa4-74e2a05cf307.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
* {{cite news|newspaper=The Olympian|location=Olympia, Washington|title=Thurston County burn ban in effect through September|date=July 18, 2020|url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article244308602.html|last=Gentzler|first=Sara|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114423/https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article244308602.html|url-status=live}} |
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* {{cite web|url=https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/982/Outdoor-Burning|title=Outdoor burning|website=Pierce County, WA - Fire Prevention Bureau|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807031230/https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/982/Outdoor-Burning|url-status=live}} |
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* {{Cite web|title=Oregon fire season opens statewide|url=https://www.heraldandnews.com/coronavirus/oregon-fire-season-opens-statewide/article_c38f1197-20e6-5a2f-afa4-74e2a05cf307.html|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=Herald and News|language=en|date=July 5, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114416/https://www.heraldandnews.com/coronavirus/oregon-fire-season-opens-statewide/article_c38f1197-20e6-5a2f-afa4-74e2a05cf307.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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=== Year-to-date wildfire figures=== |
=== Year-to-date wildfire figures=== |
||
[[File:2020 sep 15 USA National Predictive Services Group National GACC Website Committee GACC Map national.gif|thumb|right|alt=National Interagency Fire Center Geographic Area Coordination Centers|[[National Interagency Fire Center]] Geographic Area Coordination Centers]] |
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United States agencies stationed at the [[National Interagency Fire Center]] in Idaho maintain a "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" on wildfires, delineating 10 sub-national areas, aggregating the regional and national totals of burn size, fire suppression cost, and razed structure count, among other data. As of September 14, "Coordination Centers" of each geography report the following:<ref name="Large Incident Report"/> |
|||
United States agencies stationed at the [[National Interagency Fire Center]] in Idaho maintain a "[https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report]" on wildfires, delineating 10 sub-national areas, aggregating the regional and national totals of burn size, fire suppression cost, and razed structure count, among other data. As of October 21, "Coordination Centers" of each geography report the following:<ref name="Large Incident Report"/> |
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''Note: Check primary sources for up-to-date statistics. This data is not final and may contain duplicate reports until the data is finalized around January 2021.'' |
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[[File:2020 sep 15 USA National Predictive Services Group National GACC Website Committee GACC Map national.gif|thumb|right|upright|alt=National Interagency Fire Center Geographic Area Coordination Centers|[[National Interagency Fire Center]] Geographic Area Coordination Centers]] |
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''Note: Check primary sources for up-to-date statistics.'' |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 63: | Line 69: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Northwest Area<!--(Oregon and Washington)--> |
! scope="row" |Northwest Area<!--(Oregon and Washington)--> |
||
|{{convert|1, |
|{{convert|1,930,877.2|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$414,535,531.13||4,472 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Northern California Area |
! scope="row" |Northern California Area |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|4,058,314.2|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$1,388,359,480.14||9,747 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Southern California Area |
! scope="row" |Southern California Area |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|1,318,498.5|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$921,427,069.00||1,857 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Northern Rockies<!--(Idaho and |
! scope="row" |Northern Rockies<!--(Idaho{north}, Montana, North Dakota{mostly}, and Wyoming{partial})--> |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|368,164.6|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$75,698,682.00||222 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Great Basin<!--(Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and |
! scope="row" |Great Basin<!--(Arizona, Nevada, Idaho{south}, Utah, and Wyoming{partial})--> |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|926,042.5|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$251,845,657.39||275 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Southwest Area<!--(Arizona, New Mexico, |
! scope="row" |Southwest Area<!--(Arizona, New Mexico, Texas{partial}, Oklahoma{partial})--> |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|1,047,410.6|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$204,076,181.96||64 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Rocky Mountain Area |
! scope="row" |Rocky Mountain Area<!--(Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming{partial}, South Dakota{partial})--> |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|1,011,332.6|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$343,972,034.34||1,140 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Eastern Area |
! scope="row" |Eastern Area |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|14,989.8|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$631,398.58||24 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" |Southern Area |
! scope="row" |Southern Area |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|2,892,799.1|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$15,526,190.92||324 |
||
|- class="sortbottom" |
|- class="sortbottom" |
||
! scope="row" | '''Totals'''{{efn|Year-to-date totals as of |
! scope="row" | '''Totals'''{{efn|Year-to-date totals as of December 30, 2020}} |
||
|{{convert| |
|{{convert|13,739,474.8|acres|ha|disp=table}}||$3,630,909,466.46||18,133 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
<!-- |
|||
raw data collection: |
|||
year-to-date 30_12_2020 |
|||
alaska icc 171,045.7 $14,837,241.00 8 |
|||
nw acc 1,930,877.2 $414,535,531.13 4,472 |
|||
nc acc 4,058,314.2 $1,388,359,480.14 9,747 |
|||
sc acc 1,318,498.5 $921,427,069.00 1,857 |
|||
nr cc 368,164.6 $75,698,682.00 222 |
|||
gb cc 926,042.5 $251,845,657.39 275 |
|||
sw acc 1,047,410.6 $204,076,181.96 64 |
|||
rm acc 1,011,332.6 $343,972,034.34 1,140 |
|||
e acc 14,989.8 $631,398.58 24 |
|||
s acc 2,892,799.10 $15,526,190.92 324 |
|||
aggregate totals 13,739,474.80 $3,630,909,466.46 18,133 |
|||
--> |
|||
{{notelist}} |
|||
== Initial ignitions and weather conditions== |
== Timeline of events == |
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=== Initial ignitions and weather conditions=== |
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{{see also|August 2020 California lightning wildfires}} |
{{see also|August 2020 California lightning wildfires|2020 California wildfires|2020 Oregon wildfires|2020 Washington wildfires|2020 Arizona wildfires|2020 Utah wildfires|2020 Nevada wildfires|2020 New Mexico wildfires|2020 Colorado wildfires}} |
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[[File:CZU lightning complex fire on Butano Ridge.jpg|thumb|right|The [[CZU Lightning Complex fires]] were sparked by lightning in mid-August<ref name="CZU">{{cite web |title=CZU Lightning Complex (Including Warnella Fire) |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/czu-lightning-complex-including-warnella-fire/ |website=Cal Fire Incidents |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |
[[File:CZU lightning complex fire on Butano Ridge.jpg|thumb|right|The [[CZU Lightning Complex fires]] were sparked by lightning in mid-August<ref name="CZU">{{cite web |title=CZU Lightning Complex (Including Warnella Fire) |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/czu-lightning-complex-including-warnella-fire/ |website=Cal Fire Incidents |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |access-date=September 14, 2020 |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913193839/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/czu-lightning-complex-including-warnella-fire/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]] |
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April saw the beginning of wildfires in the west coast, as Washington experienced two fires: |
April saw the beginning of wildfires in the west coast, as Washington experienced two fires: the Stanwood Bryant Fire in Snohomish County ({{convert|70|acres}}) and the Porter Creek Fire in Whatcom County ({{convert|80.|acres}}).<ref name=Oxley20200416>{{cite news|title=Looking ahead to Washington's summer: Hotter and drier than normal, with a wildfire threat|author=Dyer Oxley|publisher=[[KUOW-FM]]|location=Seattle|date=April 16, 2020|url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/looking-ahead-to-washington-s-summer-hotter-and-drier-than-normal|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420113527/https://kuow.org/stories/looking-ahead-to-washington-s-summer-hotter-and-drier-than-normal|url-status=live}}</ref> The Oregon Department of Forestry declared fire season beginning July 5, 2020, signaling the end of unregulated debris burning outdoors, a major cause of wildfires.<ref name="Oregon fire season opens statewide">{{Cite web|title=Oregon fire season opens statewide|url=https://www.heraldandnews.com/coronavirus/oregon-fire-season-opens-statewide/article_c38f1197-20e6-5a2f-afa4-74e2a05cf307.html|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=Herald and News|language=en|date=July 5, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114416/https://www.heraldandnews.com/coronavirus/oregon-fire-season-opens-statewide/article_c38f1197-20e6-5a2f-afa4-74e2a05cf307.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Between July 16 and 30, the [[Washington State Department of Natural Resources]] (DNR) and many county governments – including Mason, Thurston, King, Pierce and Whatcom Counties – issued fire safety burn bans due to elevated risk of uncontrolled fires.<ref>{{cite web|website=official website|publisher=Whatcom County, Washington Fire Marshal|title=Burn Ban Restrictions Effective 8:00am, Monday, July 27, 2020|url=https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/49092/July-17-2020-Burn-Ban-Press-Release|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114415/https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/49092/July-17-2020-Burn-Ban-Press-Release|url-status=live}}</ref> In late July, a brush fire in Chelan County, the Colockum Fire, burned at least {{convert|3,337 |acres}} and caused homes to be evacuated.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=KING-TV|location=Seattle|title=Colockum Fire in Chelan County 80% contained, level 3 evacuations have been lifted |
Between July 16 and 30, the [[Washington State Department of Natural Resources]] (DNR) and many county governments – including Mason, Thurston, King, Pierce and Whatcom Counties – issued fire safety burn bans due to elevated risk of uncontrolled fires.<ref>{{cite web|website=official website|publisher=Whatcom County, Washington Fire Marshal|title=Burn Ban Restrictions Effective 8:00am, Monday, July 27, 2020|url=https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/49092/July-17-2020-Burn-Ban-Press-Release|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114415/https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/49092/July-17-2020-Burn-Ban-Press-Release|url-status=live}}</ref> In late July, a brush fire in Chelan County, the Colockum Fire, burned at least {{convert|3,337 |acres}} and caused homes to be evacuated.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=KING-TV|location=Seattle|title=Colockum Fire in Chelan County 80% contained, level 3 evacuations have been lifted|url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/level-2-evacuations-brush-fire-chelan-county/293-fd02ba44-6356-40b2-b514-005159f68cb0|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801031527/https://www.king5.com/article/news/level-2-evacuations-brush-fire-chelan-county/293-fd02ba44-6356-40b2-b514-005159f68cb0|url-status=live}}</ref> A fire on the Colville Reservation near [[Nespelem, Washington|Nespelem]] called the Greenhouse Fire burned at least {{convert|5,146|acres}} and caused the evacuation of the Colville Tribal Corrections Facility and other structures.<ref>{{cite news|title=Team reports firefighters working on mop up, Greenhouse Fire 74 percent contained|newspaper=Tribal Tribune|url=http://www.tribaltribune.com/news/article_9633d43e-d1ce-11ea-a2d9-235c4d79d1e0.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114418/http://www.tribaltribune.com/news/article_9633d43e-d1ce-11ea-a2d9-235c4d79d1e0.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=KHQ-TV|location=Spokane|title=Greenhouse Fire near Nespelem now 74% contained|date=July 29, 2020|url=https://www.khq.com/news/greenhouse-fire-near-nespelem-now-74-contained/article_92244afc-cd43-11ea-9b34-d37dedfab38a.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801193732/https://www.khq.com/news/greenhouse-fire-near-nespelem-now-74-contained/article_92244afc-cd43-11ea-9b34-d37dedfab38a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Between August 14 and 16, Northern California was subjected to record-breaking warm temperatures,<ref name="Record Event Report"> |
Between August 14 and 16, Northern California was subjected to record-breaking warm temperatures,<ref name="Record Event Report"> |
||
* {{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008140305|title=Record Event Report|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu |
* {{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008140305|title=Record Event Report|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]|date=August 14, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114418/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008140305|url-status=live}} |
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* {{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008150833|title=Record Event Report|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu |
* {{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008150833|title=Record Event Report|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]|date=August 15, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114419/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008150833|url-status=live}} |
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* {{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008160030|title=Record Event Report|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu |
* {{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008160030|title=Record Event Report|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]|date=August 16, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114424/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RERMTR&e=202008160030|url-status=live}}</ref> due to anomalously strong [[high-pressure area|high pressure]] over the region. Early on August 15, the [[National Weather Service]] for San Francisco issued a [[Severe weather terminology (United States)#Fire weather|Fire Weather Watch]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWMTR&e=202008150919|title=Urgent Fire Weather Message|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]|date=August 15, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114425/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWMTR&e=202008150919|url-status=live}}</ref> highlighting the risk of wildfire starts due to the combination of lightning risk due to moist, unstable air aloft, dry fuels, and hot temperatures near the surface. Later that day, the Fire Weather Watch was upgraded to a [[Red Flag Warning]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWMTR&e=202008151727|title=Urgent Fire Weather Message|website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]|date=August 15, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114430/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWMTR&e=202008151727|url-status=live}}</ref> noting the risk of abundant lightning already apparent as the storms moved toward the region from the south. |
||
In mid-August, the remnants of [[2020 Pacific hurricane season#Tropical Storm Fausto|Tropical Storm Fausto]] interacted with the [[jet stream]], resulting in a large plume of moisture moving northward towards the West Coast of the U.S., triggering a massive siege of [[lightning storms]] in [[Northern California]], and setting the conditions for wildfires elsewhere.<ref> |
In mid-August, the remnants of [[2020 Pacific hurricane season#Tropical Storm Fausto|Tropical Storm Fausto]] interacted with the [[jet stream]], resulting in a large plume of moisture moving northward towards the West Coast of the U.S., triggering a massive siege of [[lightning storms]] in [[Northern California]], and setting the conditions for wildfires elsewhere.<ref> |
||
* {{Cite web|title=Cal Fire 72 hour activity|url=https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE/status/1296209793414135809|access-date=August 20, 2020|website=twitter.com|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819221843/https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE/status/1296209793414135809|url-status=live}} |
* {{Cite web|title=Cal Fire 72 hour activity|url=https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE/status/1296209793414135809|access-date=August 20, 2020|website=twitter.com|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819221843/https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE/status/1296209793414135809|url-status=live}} |
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* {{Cite web|date=August 16, 2020|title=Moisture from Tropical Storm Fausto fuels NorCal thunderstorms|url=https://ktla.com/news/california/moisture-from-tropical-storm-fausto-fuels-norcal-thunderstorms/|access-date=August 16, 2020|website=KTLA|language=en-US|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114433/https://ktla.com/news/california/moisture-from-tropical-storm-fausto-fuels-norcal-thunderstorms/|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to abnormal wind patterns, this plume streamed from up to {{convert|1,000|mi|km}} off the coast of the [[Baja Peninsula]] into Northern California. This moisture then interacted with a high-pressure ridge situated over Nevada that was bringing a long-track heat wave to much of California and the West.<ref name=" |
* {{Cite web|date=August 16, 2020|title=Moisture from Tropical Storm Fausto fuels NorCal thunderstorms|url=https://ktla.com/news/california/moisture-from-tropical-storm-fausto-fuels-norcal-thunderstorms/|access-date=August 16, 2020|website=KTLA|language=en-US|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114433/https://ktla.com/news/california/moisture-from-tropical-storm-fausto-fuels-norcal-thunderstorms/|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to abnormal wind patterns, this plume streamed from up to {{convert|1,000.|mi|km}} off the coast of the [[Baja Peninsula]] into Northern California. This moisture then interacted with a high-pressure ridge situated over Nevada that was bringing a long-track heat wave to much of California and the West.<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{cite news |last1=Boxall |first1=Bettina |title='Fires of hell': How dry lightning has sparked some of California's biggest infernos |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-23/dry-lightning-northern-california-fire-scourge |access-date=August 25, 2020 |agency=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 23, 2020 |archive-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912030352/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-23/dry-lightning-northern-california-fire-scourge |url-status=live }}</ref> <!-- May change this link --> These colliding weather systems then created excessive atmospheric instability that generated massive thunderstorms throughout much of Northern and Central California. Multiple places also experienced Midwest-style convective "heat bursts"–in which rapid collapse of thunderstorm updrafts caused air parcels aloft to plunge to the surface and warm to extreme levels, with one location near [[Travis Air Force Base]] going from around {{cvt|80|to|100|F|C|abbr=}} in nearly 1–2 hours.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 21, 2020|title=Record heat, unprecedented lightning fire siege in Northern California; more dry lightning to come|url=https://weatherwest.com/archives/7459|access-date=August 28, 2020|website=Weather West|language=en-US|archive-date=August 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827204521/https://weatherwest.com/archives/7459|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, much of these storms were only accompanied with [[dry lightning]] and produced little to no rain, making conditions very favorable for wildfires to spark and spread rapidly.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Simmons |first1=Rusty |title=What's behind this once-in-a-decade Bay Area thunderstorm? |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/What-s-behind-this-once-in-a-decade-Bay-Area-15488076.php |access-date=August 25, 2020 |agency=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=August 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114436/https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/What-s-behind-this-once-in-a-decade-Bay-Area-15488076.php |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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As a result of the fires, on August 19, Governors [[Kate Brown]] and [[Jay Inslee]] declared a state of emergency for Oregon and Washington respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oregon governor declares state of emergency as fire season ramps up|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/oregon-governor-declares-state-of-emergency-as-fire-season-ramps-up|access-date=September 12, 2020|website=Washington Examiner|language=en|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822071152/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/oregon-governor-declares-state-of-emergency-as-fire-season-ramps-up|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gov. Inslee declares state of emergency over Washington wildfires|author=Helen mith|date=August 19, 2020|publisher=KREM-TV|location=Spokane|url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/wildfire/governor-jay-inslee-declares-state-of-emergency-over-washington-wildfires/293-4a0daa35-f7c3-486f-bd3d-0c4a089d0cce|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820173934/https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/wildfire/governor-jay-inslee-declares-state-of-emergency-over-washington-wildfires/293-4a0daa35-f7c3-486f-bd3d-0c4a089d0cce|url-status=live}}</ref> |
As a result of the fires, on August 19, Governors [[Kate Brown]] and [[Jay Inslee]] declared a state of emergency for Oregon and Washington respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oregon governor declares state of emergency as fire season ramps up|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/oregon-governor-declares-state-of-emergency-as-fire-season-ramps-up|access-date=September 12, 2020|website=Washington Examiner|date=August 20, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822071152/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/oregon-governor-declares-state-of-emergency-as-fire-season-ramps-up|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gov. Inslee declares state of emergency over Washington wildfires|author=Helen mith|date=August 19, 2020|publisher=KREM-TV|location=Spokane|url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/wildfire/governor-jay-inslee-declares-state-of-emergency-over-washington-wildfires/293-4a0daa35-f7c3-486f-bd3d-0c4a089d0cce|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820173934/https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/wildfire/governor-jay-inslee-declares-state-of-emergency-over-washington-wildfires/293-4a0daa35-f7c3-486f-bd3d-0c4a089d0cce|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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== |
=== Growth of fires === |
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{{see also|2020 Washington Labor Day fires}} |
{{see also|2020 Washington Labor Day fires}} |
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[[File:Cal Fire largest wildfires 2020.jpg|thumb|Six of the twenty largest wildfires in California history were part of the 2020 wildfire season. Five of the new wildfires ranking in the top 10 were all a part of the August 2020 lightning fires.]] |
[[File:Cal Fire largest wildfires 2020.jpg|thumb|Six of the twenty largest wildfires in California history were part of the 2020 wildfire season. Five of the new wildfires ranking in the top 10 were all a part of the August 2020 lightning fires.]] |
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By August 20, the Palmer Fire near [[Oroville, Washington]] – which started August 18 – had reached {{convert|13000|acres}} and forced evacuation of up to 85 homes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Level three evacuations for Palmer Fire burning 13,000 acres in Okanogan County|date=August 20, 2020|publisher=[[KHQ-TV]]|location=Spokane|url=https://www.khq.com/fires/level-three-evacuations-for-palmer-fire-burning-13-000-acres-in-okanogan-county/article_070da8b6-e1a5-11ea-b5a2-f7efaf5aea94.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822041959/https://www.khq.com/fires/level-three-evacuations-for-palmer-fire-burning-13-000-acres-in-okanogan-county/article_070da8b6-e1a5-11ea-b5a2-f7efaf5aea94.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/|title=Palmer Fire|publisher=U.S. Government interagency [[National Wildfire Coordinating Group]]|website=Inciweb fire information system|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820064154/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029|url-status=live}}</ref> The largest of the fires in the Olympics reached {{convert|2.4|acres}} by August 20.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Peninsula Daily News]]|location=Port Angeles, Washington|title=Lightning-sparked fires in Olympics stay small|date=August 20, 2020|url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/lightning-sparked-fires-in-olympics-stay-small/|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114441/https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/lightning-sparked-fires-in-olympics-stay-small/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
By August 20, the Palmer Fire near [[Oroville, Washington]] – which started August 18 – had reached {{convert|13000|acres}} and forced evacuation of up to 85 homes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Level three evacuations for Palmer Fire burning 13,000 acres in Okanogan County|date=August 20, 2020|publisher=[[KHQ-TV]]|location=Spokane|url=https://www.khq.com/fires/level-three-evacuations-for-palmer-fire-burning-13-000-acres-in-okanogan-county/article_070da8b6-e1a5-11ea-b5a2-f7efaf5aea94.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822041959/https://www.khq.com/fires/level-three-evacuations-for-palmer-fire-burning-13-000-acres-in-okanogan-county/article_070da8b6-e1a5-11ea-b5a2-f7efaf5aea94.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/|title=Palmer Fire|publisher=U.S. Government interagency [[National Wildfire Coordinating Group]]|website=Inciweb fire information system|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820064154/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029|url-status=live}}</ref> The largest of the fires in the Olympics reached {{convert|2.4|acres}} by August 20.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Peninsula Daily News]]|location=Port Angeles, Washington|title=Lightning-sparked fires in Olympics stay small|date=August 20, 2020|url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/lightning-sparked-fires-in-olympics-stay-small/|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114441/https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/lightning-sparked-fires-in-olympics-stay-small/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[File:Bobcat Fire, Los Angeles, San Gabriel Mountains.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Bobcat |
[[File:Bobcat Fire, Los Angeles, San Gabriel Mountains.jpg|thumb|left|View of the [[Bobcat Fire]] from a kitchen window in [[Monrovia, California]]]] |
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The [[Evans Canyon Fire]], a few miles north of [[Naches, Washington|Naches]], began around August 31 and expanded to tens of thousands of acres, shut down [[Washington State Route 821]] in the Yakima River Canyon, burned several homes and caused hundreds of families to evacuate, and caused unhealthy air quality in Yakima County.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air quality reaches unhealthy levels in Yakima Co; Thursday's fire forecast|publisher=[[KIMA-TV]]|location=Yakima|date=September 3, 2020|url=https://kimatv.com/news/local/evans-canyon-fire-grows-an-estimated-18000-acres-overnight-52000-acres-scorched|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114447/https://kimatv.com/news/local/evans-canyon-fire-grows-an-estimated-18000-acres-overnight-52000-acres-scorched|url-status=live}}</ref> By September 6, it had burned almost {{convert|76000|acres}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Evans Canyon Fire now at 40% containment|date=September 6, 2020|publisher=KNDU|location=Richland, Washington|url=https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/evans-canyon-fire-now-at-40-containment/article_96be491e-f08e-11ea-b8d4-1f5faf90f827.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907000822/https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/evans-canyon-fire-now-at-40-containment/article_96be491e-f08e-11ea-b8d4-1f5faf90f827.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
The [[Evans Canyon Fire]], a few miles north of [[Naches, Washington|Naches]], began around August 31 and expanded to tens of thousands of acres, shut down [[Washington State Route 821]] in the Yakima River Canyon, burned several homes and caused hundreds of families to evacuate, and caused unhealthy air quality in Yakima County.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air quality reaches unhealthy levels in Yakima Co; Thursday's fire forecast|publisher=[[KIMA-TV]]|location=Yakima|date=September 3, 2020|url=https://kimatv.com/news/local/evans-canyon-fire-grows-an-estimated-18000-acres-overnight-52000-acres-scorched|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114447/https://kimatv.com/news/local/evans-canyon-fire-grows-an-estimated-18000-acres-overnight-52000-acres-scorched|url-status=live}}</ref> By September 6, it had burned almost {{convert|76000|acres}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Evans Canyon Fire now at 40% containment|date=September 6, 2020|publisher=KNDU|location=Richland, Washington|url=https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/evans-canyon-fire-now-at-40-containment/article_96be491e-f08e-11ea-b8d4-1f5faf90f827.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907000822/https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/evans-canyon-fire-now-at-40-containment/article_96be491e-f08e-11ea-b8d4-1f5faf90f827.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The August 2020 lightning fires include three of the largest wildfires in the recorded history of California: the [[SCU Lightning Complex fires|SCU Lightning Complex]], the [[August Complex fire|August Complex]], and the [[LNU Lightning Complex]]. On September 10, 2020, the August Complex became the single-largest wildfire in the recorded history of California, reaching a total area burned of {{convert|471,185|acres|km2|0}}. Then, on September 11, it merged with the Elkhorn Fire, another massive wildfire of {{convert|255,039|acres|km2|0}}, turning the August Complex into a monster wildfire of {{convert|746,607|acres|km2|0}}.<ref name="726K-acre monster">{{cite web|url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2020/09/10/california-wildfires-updates-willow-elkhorn-august-complex-map/3457557001/#:~:text=The%20Elkhorn%20Fire%20has%20merged,Forest%20Service%20announced%20Thursday%20afternoon.|title=What we know Thursday about North State fires: Elkhorn merges with August Complex to create 726K-acre monster|website=Redding.com|author=Michele Chandler|publisher=Redding Record Searchlight|date=September 11, 2020| |
The August 2020 lightning fires include three of the largest wildfires in the recorded history of California: the [[SCU Lightning Complex fires|SCU Lightning Complex]], the [[August Complex fire|August Complex]], and the [[LNU Lightning Complex]]. On September 10, 2020, the August Complex became the single-largest wildfire in the recorded history of California, reaching a total area burned of {{convert|471,185|acres|km2|0}}. Then, on September 11, it merged with the Elkhorn Fire, another massive wildfire of {{convert|255,039|acres|km2|0}}, turning the August Complex into a monster wildfire of {{convert|746,607|acres|km2|0}}.<ref name="726K-acre monster">{{cite web|url=https://www.redding.com/story/news/2020/09/10/california-wildfires-updates-willow-elkhorn-august-complex-map/3457557001/#:~:text=The%20Elkhorn%20Fire%20has%20merged,Forest%20Service%20announced%20Thursday%20afternoon.|title=What we know Thursday about North State fires: Elkhorn merges with August Complex to create 726K-acre monster|website=Redding.com|author=Michele Chandler|publisher=Redding Record Searchlight|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911052345/https://www.redding.com/story/news/2020/09/10/california-wildfires-updates-willow-elkhorn-august-complex-map/3457557001/#:~:text=The%20Elkhorn%20Fire%20has%20merged,Forest%20Service%20announced%20Thursday%20afternoon.|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In early September 2020, a combination of a record-breaking heat wave, and [[Diablo wind|Diablo]] and [[Santa Ana winds]] sparked more fires and explosively grew active fires, with the [[August Complex fire|August Complex]] surpassing the [[Mendocino Complex Fire|2018 Mendocino Complex]] to become California's largest recorded wildfire.<ref name="726K-acre monster"/> The [[North Complex (2020)|North Complex]] increased in size as the winds fanned it westward, threatening the city of [[Oroville, California|Oroville]], and triggering mass evacuations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abc7.com/bear-fire-north-complex-west-zone-claremont-how-did-the-start-2020/6415957/ | title=Gov. Newsom tours North Complex fire destruction in Butte County | publisher=KABC-TV | date=September 11, 2020 | |
In early September 2020, a combination of a record-breaking heat wave, and [[Diablo wind|Diablo]] and [[Santa Ana winds]] sparked more fires and explosively grew active fires, with the [[August Complex fire|August Complex]] surpassing the [[Mendocino Complex Fire|2018 Mendocino Complex]] to become California's largest recorded wildfire.<ref name="726K-acre monster"/> The [[North Complex (2020)|North Complex]] increased in size as the winds fanned it westward, threatening the city of [[Oroville, California|Oroville]], and triggering mass evacuations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abc7.com/bear-fire-north-complex-west-zone-claremont-how-did-the-start-2020/6415957/ | title=Gov. Newsom tours North Complex fire destruction in Butte County | publisher=KABC-TV | date=September 11, 2020 | access-date=September 13, 2020 | archive-date=September 11, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911060150/https://abc7.com/bear-fire-north-complex-west-zone-claremont-how-did-the-start-2020/6415957/ | url-status=live }}</ref> During the first week in September, the 2020 fire season set a new California record for the most area burned in a year at {{convert|2000000|acres}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/04/909668879/whats-driving-california-s-biggest-ever-wildfire-season | title=What's Driving California's Biggest-Ever Wildfire Season | publisher=NPR | date=September 7, 2020 | access-date=September 13, 2020 | archive-date=September 12, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912055524/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/04/909668879/whats-driving-california-s-biggest-ever-wildfire-season | url-status=live }}</ref> As of September 13, {{convert|3200000|acres}} had burned in the state.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-wildfire-death-toll-hits-19-as-weather-aids-battle-against-blazes-11599930412 | title=West Coast Wildfire Death Toll Hits 33 | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=September 13, 2020 | access-date=September 13, 2020 | archive-date=September 13, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913013400/https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-wildfire-death-toll-hits-19-as-weather-aids-battle-against-blazes-11599930412 | url-status=live }}</ref> On September 5, heat from the [[Creek Fire (2020)|Creek Fire]] generated a large [[pyrocumulonimbus]] cloud, described as one of the largest seen in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/californias-creek-fire-creates-its-own-pyrocumulonimbus-cloud|title=California's Creek Fire Creates Its Own Pyrocumulonimbus Cloud|date=September 8, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|publisher=NASA|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912164816/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/californias-creek-fire-creates-its-own-pyrocumulonimbus-cloud/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[File:Carbon monoxide from west coast fires ESA22215863.jpeg|thumb|upright|[[Carbon monoxide]] hotspots show locations of the wildfires]] |
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On September 7, a "historic fire event" with high winds resulted in 80 fires and nearly {{convert|300000|acres}} burned in a day. [[Malden, Washington|Malden]], in the [[Palouse Country]] of Eastern Washington, was mostly destroyed by one of the fires.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=NPR|title=Fast-Moving Wildfire Destroys 80% Of Small Town In Eastern Washington State|date=September 8, 2020|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/08/910578980/fast-moving-wildfire-destroys-80-of-small-town-in-eastern-washington-state|last1=Katkov|first1=Mark|last2=Chappell|first2=Bill|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912064945/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/08/910578980/fast-moving-wildfire-destroys-80-of-small-town-in-eastern-washington-state|url-status=live}}</ref> By the evening of September 8, the Cold Springs Canyon and adjacent Pearl Hill Fires had burned over {{convert|337,000|acres}} and neither was more than 10% contained.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cold Springs and Pearl Hill Fires burns 337K acres collectively|author1=Jennifer Forsmann |author2= Mariah Valles|author3=Katherine Barner|date=September 8, 2020|work=KHQ|url=https://www.khq.com/fires/update-cold-springs-canyon-and-pearl-hill-fires-grow-to-174k-acres-over-night/article_a0bd3b38-f114-11ea-b830-4bdb05c15e42.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114450/https://www.khq.com/fires/update-cold-springs-canyon-and-pearl-hill-fires-grow-to-174k-acres-over-night/article_a0bd3b38-f114-11ea-b830-4bdb05c15e42.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Smoke blanketed the Seattle area on September 8 and caused unhealthy air conditions throughout the Puget Sound region, and affected Southwest British Columbia.<ref>{{cite twitter|title=Wildfire smoke has brought poor air quality to much of western WA. Everyone, especially sensitive groups, should limit time outdoors & avoid strenuous outdoor activities|user=ecyseattle|author=Washington Department of Ecology Northwest Region|date=September 8, 2020|number=1303332677601304577}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7321505/smoke-wildfire-vancouver-island-bc/|title=Smoke from Washington State wildfire blankets parts of Vancouver Island, B.C. Interior|website=Global News|date=September 8, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909015724/https://globalnews.ca/news/7321505/smoke-wildfire-vancouver-island-bc/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On September 8, 2020, in Salem, Oregon, dark red skies as a result of smoke were visible beginning in the late morning. On September 9, 2020, San Francisco and Eureka, California were similarly affected, with dark [[Orange Skies Day|orange skies]] reported. |
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On September 7, a "historic fire event" with high winds resulted in 80 fires and nearly {{convert|300000|acres}} burned in a day. [[Malden, Washington|Malden]], in the [[Palouse Country]] of Eastern Washington, was mostly destroyed by one of the fires.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=NPR|title=Fast-Moving Wildfire Destroys 80% Of Small Town In Eastern Washington State|date=September 8, 2020|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/08/910578980/fast-moving-wildfire-destroys-80-of-small-town-in-eastern-washington-state|last1=Katkov|first1=Mark|last2=Chappell|first2=Bill|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912064945/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/08/910578980/fast-moving-wildfire-destroys-80-of-small-town-in-eastern-washington-state|url-status=live}}</ref> By the evening of September 8, the Cold Springs Canyon and adjacent Pearl Hill Fires had burned over {{convert|337,000|acres}} and neither was more than 10% contained.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cold Springs and Pearl Hill Fires burns 337K acres collectively|authors=Jennifer Forsmann, Mariah Valles and Katherine Barner|date=September 8, 2020|publisher=KHQ|url=https://www.khq.com/fires/update-cold-springs-canyon-and-pearl-hill-fires-grow-to-174k-acres-over-night/article_a0bd3b38-f114-11ea-b830-4bdb05c15e42.html|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114450/https://www.khq.com/fires/update-cold-springs-canyon-and-pearl-hill-fires-grow-to-174k-acres-over-night/article_a0bd3b38-f114-11ea-b830-4bdb05c15e42.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Smoke blanketed the Seattle area on September 8 and caused unhealthy air conditions throughout the Puget Sound region, and affected Southwest British Columbia.<ref>{{cite twitter|title=Wildfire smoke has brought poor air quality to much of western WA. Everyone, especially sensitive groups, should limit time outdoors & avoid strenuous outdoor activities|user=ecyseattle|author=Washington Department of Ecology Northwest Region|date=September 8, 2020|number=1303332677601304577}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7321505/smoke-wildfire-vancouver-island-bc/|title=Smoke from Washington State wildfire blankets parts of Vancouver Island, B.C. Interior|publisher=Global News|website=Global News|date=September 8, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909015724/https://globalnews.ca/news/7321505/smoke-wildfire-vancouver-island-bc/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The cities of [[Phoenix, Oregon|Phoenix]] and [[Talent, Oregon|Talent]] in Oregon were substantially destroyed by the Almeda Drive Fire. State-wide, at least 23 people have been killed.<ref name="Crombie2020">{{cite news |last1=Crombie |first1=Noelle |title=Wildfire cuts swath of destruction in southern Oregon; Phoenix and Talent |
The cities of [[Phoenix, Oregon|Phoenix]] and [[Talent, Oregon|Talent]] in Oregon were substantially destroyed by the Almeda Drive Fire. State-wide, at least 23 people have been killed.<ref name="Crombie2020">{{cite news |last1=Crombie |first1=Noelle |title=Wildfire cuts swath of destruction in southern Oregon; Phoenix and Talent 'pretty well devastated' |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/09/wildfire-cuts-swath-of-destruction-in-southern-oregon-phoenix-and-talent-pretty-well-devastated.html |access-date=September 11, 2020 |work=The Oregonian |date=September 9, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911094649/https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/09/wildfire-cuts-swath-of-destruction-in-southern-oregon-phoenix-and-talent-pretty-well-devastated.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hauck2020">{{cite news |last1=Hauck |first1=Grace |title='We have never seen this': 10% of Oregon forced to evacuate; death toll rises from wildfires across Western states |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/11/wildfire-updates-oregon-evacuations-california-deaths/3467271001/ |access-date=September 11, 2020 |work=USA TODAY |date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912050923/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/11/wildfire-updates-oregon-evacuations-california-deaths/3467271001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 11, authorities said they were preparing for a [[mass fatality incident]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koin.com/news/wildfires/oregon-wildfires-kate-brown-press-conference-09112020/|title=Oregon preparing for 'mass fatality incident' in wildfire recovery|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913150913/https://www.koin.com/news/wildfires/oregon-wildfires-kate-brown-press-conference-09112020/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of September 11, 600 homes and 100 commercial buildings have been destroyed by the Almeda Drive Fire.<ref name="RRS911">Benda, David. "[https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2020/09/10/almeda-fire-southern-oregon-two-confirmed-dead-600-homes-destroyed-damaged/3456818001/ Southern Oregon wildfires update: 700-plus homes, businesses destroyed as officials' investigate fire's cause] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912071823/https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2020/09/10/almeda-fire-southern-oregon-two-confirmed-dead-600-homes-destroyed-damaged/3456818001/ |date=September 12, 2020 }}", ''[[Redding Record Searchlight]]''. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.</ref> Officials stated that the Almeda Drive Fire was human-caused.<ref name="RRS911"/> On September 11, a man was arrested for arson, for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed multiple homes in Phoenix and merged with the Almeda Drive Fire.<ref name="Deliso">Deliso, Merideth. "[https://abcnews.go.com/US/man-charged-arson-connection-almeda-fire-southern-oregon/story?id=72960208 Man charged with arson in connection with Almeda Fire in southern Oregon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912111407/https://abcnews.go.com/US/man-charged-arson-connection-almeda-fire-southern-oregon/story?id=72960208 |date=September 12, 2020 }}", [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.</ref> A separate criminal investigation into the origin point of the Almeda Drive Fire in [[Ashland, Oregon|Ashland]] is ongoing.<ref name="Deliso"/> |
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Around September 11–12, wildfires were starting to encroach upon the [[Clackamas County]] suburbs of [[Portland, Oregon]], especially the fast-moving Riverside Fire which had already jumped the nearby community of [[Estacada]], but shifting wind directions kept the fire away from the main Portland area.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Healy |first1=Jack |title=A Line of Fire South of Portland and a Yearslong Recovery Ahead |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/11/us/fires-oregon-california-washington.html |access-date=September 17, 2020 |agency=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 15, 2020 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917045943/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/11/us/fires-oregon-california-washington.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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== Evacuations == |
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[[File:COVID-19 and wildfire evacuations in California - 2020.ogg|thumb|thumbtime=00:23|The Government of California's video about COVID-19 protocols in place at wildfire evacuation centers.]] |
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As of September 11, about 40,000 people in Oregon had been instructed to evacuate, and 500,000, accounting for about 10% of the state's population, had received instructions to prepare for evacuation, being under a Level 1, 2, or 3 fire evacuation alert.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Brad|last2=Friesen|first2=Mark|date=September 11, 2020|title=Oregon initially said 500,000 people had been evacuated because of wildfires. The numbers didn’t add up -- and the state backtracked.|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/oregon-said-500000-people-have-been-evacuated-because-of-wildfires-the-numbers-dont-add-up.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913194519/https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/oregon-said-500000-people-have-been-evacuated-because-of-wildfires-the-numbers-dont-add-up.html|archive-date=September 13, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=oregonlive|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Faith|first=Karima|date=September 11, 2020|title=With their homes in ashes, residents share harrowing tales of survival after massive wildfires kill 15|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/us/california-oregon-washington-fires-friday/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911093014/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/us/california-oregon-washington-fires-friday/index.html|archive-date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=CNN}}</ref> |
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Through much of September, at least 8 large wildfires, each of {{convert|100,000|acres|km2}} or more, were burning in Washington and Oregon, with 3 in Washington and 5 in Oregon. This was unprecedented for those two states, which combined only saw a total of 26 large fires from 1997 to 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Potter |first1=Brian |title=Why all the smoke in Edmonds? - Guest View |url=https://www.edmondsbeacon.com/story/2020/09/17/opinion/why-all-the-smoke-in-edmonds-guest-view/23741.html |access-date=September 22, 2020 |agency=[[Edmonds Beacon]] |date=September 17, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925184203/https://www.edmondsbeacon.com/story/2020/09/17/opinion/why-all-the-smoke-in-edmonds-guest-view/23741.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 22, 10 large fires, each of at least 100,000 acres, were burning across California, including 5 of the 10 largest wildfires in the state's history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheehan |first1=Tim |title=Creek Fire climbs the ranks among biggest California wildfires as it tops 280,000 acres |url=https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/fires/article245904315.html |access-date=September 22, 2020 |agency=[[Fresno Bee]] |date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923231350/https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/fires/article245904315.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==List of wildfires== |
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The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties. |
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<!--- This table is a good start! However, I'm not sure if we're going to be including all the fires that occurred in September. I can't tell if they are all relevant enough, and I was thinking of limiting this list to only real significant wildfires. So we have to look into that. ---> |
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=== Evacuations === |
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<!--- I agree. Someone should definitely fill it with more information from the state-specific wildfire articles - anything from this season seems more than relevant, considering what led up to the August-September fires. However, the start of August is a good place to begin with, if too many people feel the need to cap the list; the Oregon wildfire article also has a good note about only including fires over 500 acres, unless significant property damage and/oror loss of life occurred. Some images of the fires to highlight their severity would also help. ---> |
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[[File:COVID-19 and wildfire evacuations in California - 2020.ogg|thumb|thumbtime=00:23|The Government of California's video about COVID-19 protocols in place at wildfire evacuation centers]] |
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{{-}} |
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The first evacuations began on September 4, when almost 200 people were airlifted out of the [[Sierra National Forest]] due to the rapidly exploding [[Creek Fire (2020)|Creek Fire]]. Then on September 9, most of the southern area of the city of [[Medford, Oregon]] was forced to evacuate and almost all of the 80,000 residents living in the city were told to be ready if necessary<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Charles |title=Residents of Medford, Oregon, ordered to evacuate as wildfire consumes parts of city |url=https://www.insider.com/residents-of-medford-oregon-ordered-to-evacuate-due-to-wildfire-2020-9 |access-date=September 17, 2020 |agency=[[Insider Inc.|Insider News]] |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20200910034812/https://www.insider.com/residents-of-medford-oregon-ordered-to-evacuate-due-to-wildfire-2020-9 |url-status=live }}</ref> because of the uncontained Almeda Drive Fire, which was fast encroaching on their city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Evacuation Level Almeda Fire - South Medford |url=https://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency/News/News-Information/evacuation-level-almeda-fire-south-medford-1 |website=Jackson County Emergency Management |access-date=September 17, 2020 |date=September 10, 2020 |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910154626/https://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency/News/News-Information/evacuation-level-almeda-fire-south-medford-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ehrlich |first1=April |title=Tens Of Thousands Of People Ordered To Evacuate Medford, Ore. |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/09/911005955/oregon-wildfire-threatens-medford |access-date=September 17, 2020 |agency=[[NPR News]] |date=September 9, 2020 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917070708/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/09/911005955/oregon-wildfire-threatens-medford |url-status=live }}</ref> As of September 11, about 40,000 people in Oregon had been instructed to evacuate, and 500,000, accounting for about 10% of the state's population, had received instructions to prepare for evacuation, being under a Level 1, 2, or 3 fire evacuation alert.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Schmidt|first1=Brad|last2=Friesen|first2=Mark|date=September 11, 2020|title=Oregon initially said 500,000 people had been evacuated because of wildfires. The numbers didn't add up -- and the state backtracked.|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/oregon-said-500000-people-have-been-evacuated-because-of-wildfires-the-numbers-dont-add-up.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913194519/https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/oregon-said-500000-people-have-been-evacuated-because-of-wildfires-the-numbers-dont-add-up.html|archive-date=September 13, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=oregonlive|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Faith|first=Karima|date=September 11, 2020|title=With their homes in ashes, residents share harrowing tales of survival after massive wildfires kill 15|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/us/california-oregon-washington-fires-friday/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911093014/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/us/california-oregon-washington-fires-friday/index.html|archive-date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=CNN}}</ref> |
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== List of wildfires == |
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{{further|2020 California wildfires#List of wildfires|2020 Oregon wildfires#List of wildfires|2020 Washington wildfires#Fires|2020 Arizona wildfires#List of wildfires|2020 Utah wildfires#List of wildfires|2020 Nevada wildfires|2020 New Mexico wildfires|2020 Colorado wildfires}} |
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The following is a list of fires that burned more than {{cvt|1,000.|acres}} or produced significant structural damage or casualties. |
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{{Clear}} |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center;" |
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center;" |
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!scope="col"|Notes |
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!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref |
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!scope="row"|Interstate 5 |
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|[[Kings County, California]]||2,060||{{dts|2020|5|3|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|5|7|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 7, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/5/3/interstate-5-fire/|title=Interstate 5 Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917130319/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/5/3/interstate-5-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|PCMS Complex |
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|[[Las Animas County, Colorado]]||2,175||{{dts|2020|5|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|5|21|format=md}}||Unknown Cause||<ref>{{cite web |title=Pcms Complex |url=https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/wildfire/incident/114806/colorado/pcms-complex-fire |website=fireweatheravalanche.org |publisher=Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Cherry Canyon |
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|[[Las Animas County, Colorado]]||11,818||{{dts|2020|5|20|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|5|27|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused||<ref>{{cite web |title=Cherry Canyon Fire |url=https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/wildfire/incident/114802/colorado/cherry-canyon-fire |website=fireweatheravalanche.org |publisher=Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Range |
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|[[San Luis Obispo County, California]]||5,000||{{dts|2020|5|27|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|5|28|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 28, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/5/27/range-fire/|title=Range Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917125618/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/5/27/range-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Tabby Canyon |
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|[[Tooele County, Utah]]||13,378||{{dts|2020|5|30|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|2|format=md}}||Caused by exploding target. Merged with North Stansbury Fire on June 1 at 6,848.8 acres.||<ref>{{cite web |title=TABBY CANYON AND NORTH STANSBURY FIRES UPDATE 6/01/2020 |url=https://utahfireinfo.gov/2020/06/02/tabby-canyon-fire-update-6-01-2020/ |website=utahfireinfo.gov |date=June 2, 2020 |publisher=Hannah Lenkowsk |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Scorpion |
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|[[Santa Barbara County, California]]||1,395||{{dts|2020|5|31|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|1|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 1, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/5/31/scorpion-fire/|title=Scorpion Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917130819/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/5/31/scorpion-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Bighorn Fire|Bighorn]] |
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|[[Pima County, Arizona]]||119,987||{{dts|2020|6|5|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|23|format=md}}||Burned on the [[Santa Catalina Mountains]]||<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brean |first1=Henry |title=Bighorn Fire threatening 850 homes, has potential to become 'major disaster,' feds say |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/bighorn-fire-threatening-850-homes-has-potential-to-become-major-disaster-feds-say/article_86d88609-b348-53db-acc3-32a8ec968bc9.html |website=tucson.com |date=June 11, 2020 |publisher=Carol Ann Alaimo, Henry Brean |access-date=2 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Quail Fire|Quail]] |
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|[[Solano County, California]]||1,837||{{dts|2020|6|6|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|10|format=md}}|| 3 structures destroyed||<ref name="PresDemo">{{Cite web|last=Moleski|first=Vincent|url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/home/a1/11017743-181/wildfire-threatens-100-homes-in|title=Quail fire outside Vacaville surpasses 1,800 acres|website=Sacramento Bee|date=June 7, 2020|access-date=June 7, 2019|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608023609/https://www.pressdemocrat.com/home/a1/11017743-181/wildfire-threatens-100-homes-in|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=June 7, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/6/quail-fire/|title=Quail Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917093207/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/6/quail-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Farm Camp |
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|[[San Miguel County, New Mexico]]||22,872||{{dts|2020|6|6|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|14|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused||<ref>{{cite web |title=National LargeI Incident Year-to-Date Report |url=https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/NationalLargeIncidentYTDReport.pdf |website=gacc.nifc.gov}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Tadpole |
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|[[Grant County, New Mexico]]||11,159||{{dts|2020|6|6|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|17|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused||<ref>{{cite web |title=Tadpole Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6737/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Wood |
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|[[San Diego County, California]]||11,000||{{dts|2020|6|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|12|format=md}}||Burned on [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton|Camp Pendleton]]||<ref>{{Cite tweet|date=June 12, 2020|user=MCIWPendletonCA|number=1271575858054979584|title=Wood Fire Containment Information}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|India |
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|[[San Diego County, California]]||1,100||{{dts|2020|6|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|14|format=md}}||Burned on Camp Pendleton||<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 9, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/9/india-fire/|title=India Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917155841/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/9/india-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Mangum Fire|Mangum]] |
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|[[Coconino County, Arizona]]||71,450||{{dts|2020|6|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|7|format=md}}||Burned in the [[Kaibab National Forest]]||<ref>{{cite web |title=Human-caused Mangum fire now 4% contained with 64,509 acres burned |url=https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2020/06/20/rmw-human-caused-mangum-fire-now-4-contained-with-64509-acres-burned/#.Xu_HZJNKjOR |website=stgeorgeutah.com |publisher=Ryne Williams |access-date=2 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Soda |
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|[[San Luis Obispo County, California]]||1,672||{{dts|2020|6|10|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|11|format=md}}||2 structures destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 11, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/10/soda-fire/|title=Soda Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920101832/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/10/soda-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=June 11, 2020|url=https://keyt.com/news/fire/2020/06/11/soda-fire-now-100-contained/|title=Soda Fire Now 100% Contained|website=KEYT.com|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917102843/https://keyt.com/news/fire/2020/06/11/soda-fire-now-100-contained/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Grant Fire|Grant]] |
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|[[Sacramento County, California]]||5,042||{{dts|2020|6|12|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|17|format=md}}||1 structure damaged |
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|<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 11, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/12/grant-fire/|title=Grant Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917150201/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/12/grant-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Bush Fire (Arizona)|Bush]] |
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|[[Gila County]], [[Maricopa County, Arizona]]||193,455||{{dts|2020|6|13|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|6|format=md}}||Human-Caused||<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jensen |first1=Audrey |title=Arizona's Bush Fire in Tonto National Forest now largest active fire burning in U.S. |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-wildfires/2020/06/16/bush-fire-tonto-national-forest-now-largest-fire-us/3202683001/ |newspaper=Arizona Republic |access-date=2 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[East Canyon Fire|East Canyon]] |
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|[[La Plata County]], [[Montezuma County, Colorado]]||2,905||{{dts|2020|6|14|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|27|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused||<ref>{{cite web |title=East Canyon |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6776/51990/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=Tres Rios Field Office Bureau of Land Management |access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Vics Peak Fire|Vics Peak]] |
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|[[Socorro County, New Mexico]]||14,624||{{dts|2020|6|15|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|4|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused;burned in the [[Apache Kid Wilderness]]||<ref>{{cite web |title=Vics Peak Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6788/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Walker |
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|[[Calaveras County, California]]||1,455||{{dts|2020|6|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|20|format=md}}||2 structures destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 11, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/16/walker-fire/|title=Walker Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917151451/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/16/walker-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Grade |
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|[[Tulare County, California]]||1,050||{{dts|2020|6|22|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|26|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 26, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/22/grade-fire/|title=Grade Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917121736/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/22/grade-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Brown Fire|Brown]] |
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|[[White Pine County, Nevada]]||8,268||{{dts|2020|6|24|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|30|format=md}}||The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation||<ref>{{cite web |title=Brown fire causes evacuation in Lund; Monarch fire still growing |url=http://northlasvegas.8newsnow.com/news/2211392-brown-fire-causes-evacuation-lund-monarch-fire-still-growing |website=North Las Vegas News |publisher=8NewsNOWStaff |access-date=3 May 2021 |language=en |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503025745/http://northlasvegas.8newsnow.com/news/2211392-brown-fire-causes-evacuation-lund-monarch-fire-still-growing |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Poeville Fire|Poeville]] |
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|[[Washoe County, Nevada]]||2,975||{{dts|2020|6|26|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|6|format=md}}||Led to evacuation of portions of the City of Reno||<ref>{{cite web |title=Poeville Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6810/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Wood Springs 2 Fire|Wood Springs 2]] |
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|[[Apache County, Arizona]]||12,861||{{dts|2020|6|27|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|11|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused; 7 structures destroyed on the [[Navajo Nation]]||<ref>{{cite web |title=Wood Springs 2 Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6813/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=Navajo Region Fire and Aviation Management Bureau of Indian Affairs |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Canal Fire|Canal]] |
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|[[Millard County]], [[Juab County, Utah]]||78,065||{{dts|2020|6|27|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|13|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused; destroyed 34 structures; 100% contained on June 27 but escaped containment due to strong winds||<ref>{{cite web |title='Canal Fire' jumps containment lines, scorches thousands of acres |url=https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/canal-fire-jumps-containment-lines-scorches-thousands-of-acres |website=fox13now.com |date=June 30, 2020 |publisher=Brian Schnee |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Pass |
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|[[Merced County, California]]||2,192||{{dts|2020|6|28|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|6|30|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 28, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/28/pass-fire/|title=Pass Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917141731/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/6/28/pass-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Bena |
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|[[Kern County, California]]||2,900||{{dts|2020|7|1|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|3|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 11, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/1/bena-fire/|title=Bena Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917114250/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/1/bena-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Polles Fire|Polles]] |
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|[[Gila County, Arizona]]||628||{{dts|2020|7|3|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|23|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused; a helicopter supporting firefighting efforts crashed on July 7, taking the life of pilot Bryan Boatman.The incident is under investigation.||<ref>{{cite web |title=Open Incidents (Prepared 07/27/2020 15:59) |url=http://www.wildcad.net/WCAZ-PHCopen.htm |website=wildcad.net |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Polles Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Crews Fire|Crews]] |
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|[[Santa Clara County, California]]||5,513||{{dts|2020|7|5|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|13|format=md}}||1 structure destroyed; 1 damaged; 1 injury. Resulted in evacuations of rural Gilroy.||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 5, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/5/crews-fire/|title=Crews Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922064440/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/5/crews-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Soledad Fire|Soledad]] |
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|[[Los Angeles County, California]]||1,525||{{dts|2020|7|5|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|15|format=md}}||1 injury||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 5, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6828/|title=Soledad Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917122852/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6828/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Numbers Fire|Numbers]] |
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|[[Douglas County, Nevada]]||18,380||{{dts|2020|7|6|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|14|format=md}}||40 buildings destroyed||<ref>{{cite web |title=Tuesday: Numbers Fire south of Gardnerville now at 18,000 acres and 0% containment |url=https://southtahoenow.com/story/07/06/2020/wildfire-burning-south-gardnerville-homes-evacuated |website=southtahoenow.com |publisher=Paula |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Mineral Fire (2020)|Mineral]] |
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|[[Fresno County, California]]||29,667||{{dts|2020|7|13|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|26|format=md}}||7 structures destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 14, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6857/|title=Mineral Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917124948/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6857/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 13, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/13/mineral-fire/|title=Mineral Fire 2020 Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917090929/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/13/mineral-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Coyote |
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|[[San Benito County, California]]||1,508||{{dts|2020|7|15|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|7|18|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 16, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/15/coyote-fire/|title=Coyote Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917135032/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/15/coyote-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Hog |
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|[[Lassen County, California]]||9,564||{{dts|2020|7|18|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|8|format=md}} |
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|2 structures destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 5, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/18/hog-fire/|title=Hog Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917130453/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/18/hog-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Gold Fire (2020)|Gold]] |
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|[[Lassen County, California]]||22,634||{{dts|2020|7|20|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|8|format=md}} |
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|13 structures destroyed; 5 structures damaged; 2 firefighters injured in burnover||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 21, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/20/gold-fire/|title=Gold Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917151745/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/20/gold-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|July Complex 2020 |
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|[[Modoc County, California|Modoc County]], [[Siskiyou County, California]]||83,261||{{dts|2020|7|22|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|7|format=md}} |
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|1 structure destroyed; 3 outbuildings destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6881/|title=July Complex 2020 Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919123525/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6881/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Blue Jay |
!scope="row"|Blue Jay |
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|[[Mariposa County, California]], [[Tuolumne County, California]]|| |
|[[Mariposa County, California|Mariposa County]], [[Tuolumne County, California]]||6,922||{{dts|2020|7|24|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|19|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 8, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6888/|title=Blue Jay Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907040051/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6888/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Red Salmon Complex |
!scope="row"|[[Red Salmon Complex fire|Red Salmon Complex]] |
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|[[Humboldt County, California]], [[Siskiyou County, California]], [[Trinity County, California]]|| |
|[[Humboldt County, California|Humboldt County]], [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]], [[Trinity County, California]]||144,698||{{dts|2020|7|26|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|23|format=md}}||Originally started as both the Red and Salmon fire (both started by lightning strikes), but have since merged into one fire||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 2, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891/|title=Red Salmon Complex Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov/|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911063934/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 3, 2020|url=https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Current/|title=Interactive Map with acreage for both Red and Salmon fires|website=ucanr.edu|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829005509/https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Current/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"| |
!scope="row"|Chikamin |
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|[[ |
|[[Chelan County, Washington]]||1,685||{{dts|2020|7|31|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|24|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6901/|title=Chikamin Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916151644/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6901/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"| |
!scope="row"|[[Apple Fire|Apple]] |
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|[[ |
|[[Riverside County, California]]||33,424||{{dts|2020|7|31|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|16}}||4 structures destroyed; 8 outbuildings destroyed; 4 injuries||<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 31, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/31/apple-fire/|title=Apple Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922200610/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/7/31/apple-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"| |
!scope="row"|Pond |
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|[[ |
|[[San Luis Obispo County, California]]||1,962||{{dts|2020|8|1|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|8|format=md}}||1 structure destroyed; 1 damaged; 13 outbuildings destroyed<ref name="KSBY Pond">{{cite web|author=KSBY Staff|title=UPDATE: Pond Fire 67% contained, 2,005 acres burned|url=https://www.ksby.com/weather/fire-watch/update-pond-fire-60-contained-has-burned-2-005-acres|work=[[KSBY]]|date=August 3, 2020|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805105508/https://www.ksby.com/weather/fire-watch/update-pond-fire-60-contained-has-burned-2-005-acres|url-status=live}}</ref>||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 2, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/1/pond-fire/|title=Pond Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917143625/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/1/pond-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|North |
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|[[Lassen County, California]]||6,882||{{dts|2020|8|2|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|10|format=md}}||6,882 acres in total, of which approximately 4,105 acres burned in [[Washoe County, Nevada]]||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 3, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6910/|title=North Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917105407/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6910/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Stagecoach |
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|[[Kern County, California]]||7,760||{{dts|2020|8|3|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||23 structures destroyed; 4 damaged; 25 outbuildings destroyed; 2 damaged;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stagecoach Fire now 7,760 acres, 64% contained and 37 structures destroyed|url=https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/kcfd-battles-50-acre-fire-south-of-havilah|date=August 4, 2020|website=KBAK-TV|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806224855/https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/kcfd-battles-50-acre-fire-south-of-havilah|url-status=live}}</ref> 1 firefighter fatality<ref>{{Cite web|title=Firefighter Dies While Assigned to Stagecoach Fire|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/firefighter-dies-while-assigned-to-stagecoach-fire/2411972/|date=August 12, 2020|website=KNBC|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812232409/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/firefighter-dies-while-assigned-to-stagecoach-fire/2411972/|url-status=live}}</ref>||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 3, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/3/stagecoach-fire/|title=Stagecoach Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917142255/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/3/stagecoach-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Neals Hill |
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|[[Harney County, Oregon]]||3,391||{{dts|2020|8|5|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|20|format=md}}||Caused by lightning||<ref>{{cite web |title=Neals Hill Information |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6922/ |publisher=[[InciWeb]] |access-date=September 10, 2020 |date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005716/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6922/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eugenedailynews.com/2020/08/the-oregon-wildfire-season-is-heating-up/|title=The Oregon Wildfire Season Is Heating Up.|first=Tim|last=Chuey|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831222406/https://eugenedailynews.com/2020/08/the-oregon-wildfire-season-is-heating-up/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Bumble Bee |
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|[[Yavapai County, Arizona]]||2,993||{{dts|2020|8|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|12|format=md}}||Human-Caused||<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phoenix |first1=District Office |title=Bumble Bee Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6930/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=Phoenix District Office |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Wolf |
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|[[Mariposa County, California|Mariposa County]], [[Tuolumne County, California]]||2,057||{{dts|2020|8|11|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|19|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 19, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7134/|title=Wolf Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916151500/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7134/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Lake Fire (2020)|Lake]] |
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|[[Los Angeles County, California]]||31,089||{{dts|2020|8|12|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|5|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked, 33 structures destroyed; 6 damaged; 21 outbuildings destroyed; 2 injuries||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 12, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6953/|title=Lake Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922095200/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6953/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/12/lake-fire/|title=Lake Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|date=August 12, 2020|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917101550/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/12/lake-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Ranch 2 |
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|[[Los Angeles County, California]]||4,237||{{dts|2020|8|13|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|5|format=md}}|||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 13, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6961/|title=Ranch2 Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917125759/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6961/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Hills |
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|[[Fresno County, California]]||2,121||{{dts|2020|8|15|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|24|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked; 1 fatality||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/15/hills-fire/|title=Hills Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917090253/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/15/hills-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Loyalton Fire|Loyalton]] |
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|[[Lassen County, California|Lassen County]], [[Plumas County, California|Plumas County]], [[Sierra County, California]]||47,029||{{dts|2020|8|15|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked, Caused National Weather Service to issue first ever [[Fire whirl|Fire Tornado]] Warning; 5 homes, 6 outbuildings destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 16, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6975/53262/|title=Loyalton Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917113829/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6975/53262/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|date=August 16, 2020|user=NWStornado|number=1294749587689705472|title=Loyalton Fire Tornado Warning}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Beach |
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|[[Mono County, California]]||3,780||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|28|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 18, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6987/|title=Beach Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917085420/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6987/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Frog |
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|[[Crook County, Oregon]]||4,020||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|1|format=md}}||Caused by lightning||<ref>{{cite web |title=Frog Fire Information |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7036/ |publisher=[[Inciweb]] |access-date=September 10, 2020 |date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903192123/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7036/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Green Ridge |
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|[[Deschutes County, Oregon]]||4,338||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|1|format=md}}||Caused by lightning||<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Ridge Information |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7012/ |publisher=[[Inciweb]] |access-date=September 10, 2020 |date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903175600/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7012/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[River Fire|River]] |
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|[[Monterey County, California]]||48,088||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|4|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked; 30 structures destroyed; 13 structures damaged; 4 injuries||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 16, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/river-fire/|title=River Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916165809/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/river-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Dome |
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|[[San Bernardino County, California]]||43,273||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked, Burned in the Mojave National Preserve||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 18, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7000/|title=Dome Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917103810/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7000/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Indian Creek |
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|[[Malheur County, Oregon]]||48,128||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|16|format=md}}||Caused by lightning||<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Creek Fire Information |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6991/ |publisher=Inciweb |access-date=September 10, 2020 |date=September 2, 2020 |archive-date=September 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909153222/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6991/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[CZU Lightning Complex fires|CZU Lightning Complex]] |
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|[[San Mateo County, California|San Mateo County]], [[Santa Cruz County, California]]||86,509||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|22|format=md}}||Several lightning-sparked fires burning close together across San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties; 1,490 structures destroyed; 140 structures damaged; 1 injury; 1 fatality.||<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 23, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/czu-lightning-complex-including-warnella-fire/|title=CZU Lightning Complex Fires Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915084233/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/czu-lightning-complex-including-warnella-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[SCU Lightning Complex fires|SCU Lightning Complex]] |
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|[[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara County]], [[Alameda County, California|Alameda County]], [[Contra Costa County, California|Contra Costa County]], [[San Joaquin County, California|San Joaquin County]], [[Merced County, California|Merced County]], [[Stanislaus County, California]]||396,624||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|1|format=md}}||Deer Zone, Marsh, Canyon Zone and other surrounding fires combined into one multi-fire incident by CalFire; all believed to have been sparked by an intense and widespread lightning storm; 222 structures destroyed; 26 structures damaged; 6 injuries. It is the third-largest fire complex in California history.||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/scu-lightning-complex/|title=SCU Lightning Complex Fires Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922044729/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/scu-lightning-complex/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Beachie Creek |
!scope="row"|Beachie Creek |
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|[[Linn County, Oregon]]|| |
|[[Linn County, Oregon]]||193,573||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|28|format=md}}. Merged with the Lionshead Fire and became the [[Santiam Fire]] on September 8.||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001/|title=Beachie Creek Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910233233/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[August Complex fire|August Complex]] |
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|[[Glenn County, California|Glenn County]], [[Mendocino County, California|Mendocino County]], [[Lake County, California|Lake County]], [[Tehama County, California|Tehama County]], [[Trinity County, California]]||1,032,648||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|12|format=md}}||Lightning strikes started 37 fires, several of which grew to large sizes, especially the Doe Fire; 935 structures destroyed; 2 firefighter injuries; 1 firefighter fatality. It became the largest fire complex in California history and combined with the Elkhorn Fire on September 10.||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/|title=August Complex Fires Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912034218/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=AugustComplexFire>{{cite web|title=Firefighter killed battling California wildfire, another injured|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-wildfire-firefighter-killed-mendocino-national-forest-fire-blaze-disaster/|website=[[Fox News]]|access-date=September 3, 2020|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903100515/https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-wildfire-firefighter-killed-mendocino-national-forest-fire-blaze-disaster|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Lionshead |
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|[[Jefferson County, Oregon]]||204,469||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|10|format=md}}. Merged into the Beachie Creek Fire and became the [[Santiam Fire]] on September 8.||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/|title=Lionshead Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 13, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005938/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Rattlesnake |
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|[[Tulare County, California]]||8,419||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|18|format=md}}||Lightning sparked a slow-growing fire in inaccessible terrain.||<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 8, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7131/|title=Rattlesnake Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913225516/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7131/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Downey Creek |
!scope="row"|Downey Creek |
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|[[Douglas County, Oregon]]| |
|[[Douglas County, Oregon]]||2,570||{{dts|2020|8|16|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|31|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7190/|title=Downey Creek Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114451/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7190/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"| |
!scope="row"|Jones |
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|[[ |
|[[Nevada County, California]]||705||{{dts|2020|8|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|28|format=md}}|||Lightning sparked, 21 structures destroyed, 3 structures damaged, 7 injuries||<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jones Fire {{!}} Welcome to CAL FIRE|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/jones-fire/|access-date=August 25, 2020|website=www.fire.ca.gov|archive-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825115555/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/jones-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Holser |
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|[[Ventura County, California]]||3,000||{{dts|2020|8|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|6|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/holser-fire/|title=Holser Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917085821/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/holser-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Sheep |
!scope="row"|Sheep |
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|[[Plumas County, California|Plumas]], [[Lassen County, California |
|[[Plumas County, California|Plumas County]], [[Lassen County, California]]||29,570||{{dts|2020|8|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|9|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked, 26 structures destroyed, 1 injury||<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 4, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067/|title=Sheep Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 16, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916184312/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7067/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 22, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/22/sheep-fire/|title=Sheep Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 16, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917124107/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/22/sheep-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[LNU Lightning Complex fires|LNU Lightning Complex]] |
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!scope="row"|P-515 |
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|[[Colusa County, California|Colusa County]], [[Lake County, California|Lake County]], [[Napa County, California|Napa County]], [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma County]], [[Solano County, California|Solano County]], [[Yolo County, California]]||363,220||{{dts|2020|8|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|2|format=md}}||Multi-fire incident that includes the Hennessey Fire (305,651 acres), the Walbridge Fire (55,209 acres), and the Meyers Fire (2,360 acres) sparked by lightning; 1,491 structures destroyed; 232 structures damaged; 5 injuries; 5 fatalities. It is the fourth-largest fire complex in California history.||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|title=LNU Lightning Complex Fire Fires Information|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/lnu-lightning-complex-includes-hennessey-gamble-15-10-spanish-markley-13-4-11-16-walbridge/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922065821/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/lnu-lightning-complex-includes-hennessey-gamble-15-10-spanish-markley-13-4-11-16-walbridge/|archive-date=September 22, 2020|website=fire.ca.gov}}</ref> |
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|[[Jefferson County, Oregon]]||{{no|4,609}}||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||95% contained, as of {{dts|2020|9|11|format=md}}. Merged into the Lionshead Fire on September 8.||||<ref name="P-515 Fire Information">{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7050//|title=P-515 Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|author=|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|accessdate=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005724/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7050/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"| |
!scope="row"|Butte/Tehama/Glenn Lightning Complex (Butte Zone) |
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|[[ |
|[[Butte County, California]]||19,609||{{dts|2020|8|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|17|format=md}}||Lightning sparked 34 fires throughout Butte County; 14 structures destroyed; 1 structure damaged; 1 injury||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/buttetehamaglenn-lightning-complex-butte-zone/|title=Butte Lightning Complex Fires Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917123114/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/17/buttetehamaglenn-lightning-complex-butte-zone/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|White River |
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|[[Wasco County, Oregon]]||17,383||{{dts|2020|8|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|20|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7013/|title=White River Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005750/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7013/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[North Complex Fire|North Complex]] |
!scope="row"|[[North Complex Fire|North Complex]] |
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|[[Plumas County, California]], [[Butte County, California]], [[Yuba County, California]]|| |
|[[Plumas County, California|Plumas County]], [[Butte County, California|Butte County]], [[Yuba County, California]]||318,935||{{dts|2020|8|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|4|format=md}}||Lightning strikes, includes the Claremont Fire and the Bear Fire; 2,357 structures destroyed, 114 structures damaged; 15 fatalities; 2 injuries; It is the sixth-largest fire complex in California history.||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997/|title=North Complex Fires Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912005931/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 18, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/|title=North Complex Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911230404/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/north-complex-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Salt |
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|[[Calaveras County, California]]||1,789||{{dts|2020|8|18|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|24|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/salt-fire/|title=Salt Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917123617/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/salt-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Carmel |
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|[[Monterey County, California]]||6,905||{{dts|2020|8|18|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|4|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked, 73 structures destroyed; 7 structures damaged||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/carmel-fire/|title=Caramel Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916224124/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/18/carmel-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|W-5 Cold Springs |
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|[[Lassen County, California|Lassen County]], [[Modoc County, California]]||84,817||{{dts|2020|8|18|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked. Fire spread eastward into [[Washoe County, Nevada]].||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7010/|title=W-5 Cold Spring Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916234707/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7010/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Palmer |
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|[[Okanogan County, Washington]]||17,988||{{dts|2020|8|18|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|1|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/|title=Palmer Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Laurel |
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|[[Wheeler County, Oregon]]||1,257||{{dts|2020|8|19|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||||<ref>{{cite web |title=Laurel Fire Information |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7037/ |publisher=Inciweb |access-date=September 10, 2020 |date=August 26, 2020 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828001532/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7037/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Woodward |
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|[[Marin County, California]]||4,929||{{dts|2020|8|18|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|1|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 22, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7062/|title=Woodward Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922100518/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7062/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Dolan Fire|Dolan]] |
!scope="row"|[[Dolan Fire|Dolan]] |
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|[[Monterey County, California]]|| |
|[[Monterey County, California]]||124,924||{{dts|2020|8|18|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|31|format=md}}||Cause not officially determined; however, a suspect was charged with [[arson]] in connection to the fire<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shuman |first1=Mackenzie |title=Dolan Fire grows to nearly 20,000 acres and remains at 10% containment, officials say |url=https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/california/fires/article245175675.html |access-date=December 13, 2020 |work=San Luis Obispo |date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114457/https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/california/fires/article245175675.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018/|title=Dolan Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911204019/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018/|title=Dolan Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911204019/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[SQF Complex]] |
!scope="row"|[[SQF Lightning Complex fires|SQF Complex]] |
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|[[Tulare County, California]]|| |
|[[Tulare County, California]]||174,178||{{dts|2020|8|19|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|1|5|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked, contains the Castle Fire and the Shotgun Fire||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 22, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/|title=SQF Complex Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911204150/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7048/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Moc |
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|[[Tuolumne County, California]]||2,857||{{dts|2020|8|20|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|8|30|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 20, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/20/moc-fire/|title=Moc Fire Information|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917130820/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/20/moc-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|East Fork |
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|[[Duchesne County, Utah]]||89,765||{{dts|2020|8|21|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|5|format=md}}||Lightning-Caused; destroyed 11 structures and merged with the Phinney Lake fire at 10,040 acres||<ref>{{cite web |title=East Fork Fire |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/ |website=inciweb.nwcg.gov |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Moraine |
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|[[Tulare County, California]]||1,316||{{dts|2020|8|21|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|18|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7089/|title=Moraine Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Slink |
!scope="row"|Slink |
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|[[Mono County, California]]| |
|[[Mono County, California]]||26,759||{{dts|2020|8|29|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|8|format=md}}||Lightning-sparked||<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 30, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105/|title=Slink Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903052514/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7105/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Evans Canyon Fire|Evans Canyon]] |
!scope="row"|[[Evans Canyon Fire|Evans Canyon]] |
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|[[Kittitas County, Washington]]| |
|[[Kittitas County, Washington]]||75,817||{{dts|2020|8|31|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|31|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7132//|title=Evans Canyon Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912000208/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7132/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Creek Fire|Creek]] |
!scope="row"|[[Creek Fire (2020)|Creek]] |
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|[[Fresno County, California]], [[Madera County, California]]|| |
|[[Fresno County, California|Fresno County]], [[Madera County, California]]||379,895||{{dts|2020|9|4|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|24|format=md}}||853 structures destroyed, 64 structures damaged; 29 injuries; 1 fatality||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/|title=Creek Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907162933/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7147/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/4/creek-fire/|title=Creek Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907231311/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/4/creek-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/fires/article245559995.html|title=Creek Fire live updates: 162,833 acres burned; Auberry among firefighters' concerns|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|date=September 8, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909102935/https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/fires/article245559995.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[El Dorado Fire|El Dorado]] |
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|[[Riverside County, California]], [[San Bernardino County, California]]||{{no|18,092}}||{{dts|2020|9|5|format=md}}||60% contained, as of {{dts|2020|9|16|format=md}}||Sparked by a [[pyrotechnic device]] at a [[gender reveal party]]. 10 structures destroyed, 6 structures damaged ||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/5/el-dorado-fire/|title=El Dorado Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|date=September 7, 2020|accessdate=September 7, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906222427/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/5/el-dorado-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Colin|last1=Atagi|first2=Nicole|last2=Hayden|date=September 6, 2020|title=Fire officials: El Dorado blaze sparked during gender reveal party|work=[[The Desert Sun]]|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/wildfires/2020/09/06/el-dorado-fire-grows-2-727-acres-containment-remains-5/5734173002/|accessdate=September 6, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906175807/https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/wildfires/2020/09/06/el-dorado-fire-grows-2-727-acres-containment-remains-5/5734173002/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Valley |
!scope="row"|Valley |
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|[[San Diego County, California]]|| |
|[[San Diego County, California]]||16,390||{{dts|2020|9|5|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|24|format=md}}||51 structures destroyed, 11 structures damaged, 2 injuries||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7150/|title=Valley Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920010403/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7150/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"| |
!scope="row"|[[El Dorado Fire|El Dorado]] |
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|[[ |
|[[Riverside County, California|Riverside County]], [[San Bernardino County, California]]||22,744||{{dts|2020|9|5|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|18|format=md}}||Sparked by a [[pyrotechnic device]] at a [[gender reveal party]]. 20 structures destroyed, 4 structures damaged; 13 injuries, 1 fatality ||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/5/el-dorado-fire/|title=El Dorado Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 7, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906222427/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/5/el-dorado-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Colin|last1=Atagi|first2=Nicole|last2=Hayden|date=September 6, 2020|title=Fire officials: El Dorado blaze sparked during gender reveal party|work=[[The Desert Sun]]|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/wildfires/2020/09/06/el-dorado-fire-grows-2-727-acres-containment-remains-5/5734173002/|access-date=September 6, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906175807/https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/wildfires/2020/09/06/el-dorado-fire-grows-2-727-acres-containment-remains-5/5734173002/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Cold Springs |
!scope="row"|Cold Springs |
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|[[Okanogan County, Washington]]|| |
|[[Okanogan County, Washington]]||189,923||{{dts|2020|9|6|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|30|format=md}}||1 fatality||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7161/|title=Cold Springs Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911134915/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7161/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cornwell |first1=Paige |title=1-year-old from Renton killed, parents burned while fleeing Cold Springs fire in Washington state |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/1-year-old-killed-parents-burned-while-fleeing-cold-springs-fire/ |access-date=September 14, 2020 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 9, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911184238/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/1-year-old-killed-parents-burned-while-fleeing-cold-springs-fire/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Bobcat Fire|Bobcat]] |
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|[[Los Angeles County, California]]||115,796||{{dts|2020|9|6|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|19|format=md}}||Unknown cause, 170 structures destroyed, 47 structures damaged; 6 Injuries||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7152/|title=Bobcat Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|archive-date=September 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908162440/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7152/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Oak |
!scope="row"|Oak |
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|[[Mendocino County, California]]| |
|[[Mendocino County, California]]||1,100||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||Unknown cause, 25 structures destroyed, 20 structures damaged||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/7/oak-fire/|title=Oak Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910143021/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/7/oak-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|P-515 |
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|[[Jefferson County, Oregon]]||4,609||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|10|format=md}}. Merged into the Lionshead Fire on September 8.||||<ref name="P-515 Fire Information">{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7050/|title=P-515 Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=December 13, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005724/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7050/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Slater/Devil |
!scope="row"|[[Slater and Devil fires|Slater/Devil]] |
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|[[Siskiyou County, California]], [[Del Norte County, California]], [[Josephine County, Oregon]]|| |
|[[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]], [[Del Norte County, California]], [[Josephine County, Oregon]]||157,229||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|16|format=md}}||2 fatalities, 1 structure destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7173/|title=Slater Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910230006/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7173/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Katie Streit|publisher=KOBI|date=September 10, 2020|access-date=September 10, 2020|title=Second person dies in Slater Fire|url=https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/second-person-dies-in-slater-fire-136443/|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911161604/https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/second-person-dies-in-slater-fire-136443/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Two Four Two |
!scope="row"|Two Four Two |
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|[[Klamath County, Oregon]]| |
|[[Klamath County, Oregon]]||14,473||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|31|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7159/|title=Two Four Two Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910162420/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7159/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Brattain |
!scope="row"|Brattain |
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|[[Lake County, Oregon]]|| |
|[[Lake County, Oregon]]||50,951||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|31|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7172/|title=Brattain Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005734/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7172/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Holiday Farm |
!scope="row"|Holiday Farm |
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|[[Lane County, Oregon]]|| |
|[[Lane County, Oregon]]||173,393||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|31|format=md}}||1 fatality||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7170/|title=Holiday Farm Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910222913/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7170/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Echo Mountain Complex |
!scope="row"|Echo Mountain Complex |
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|[[ |
|[[Lincoln County, Oregon]]||2,552||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|27|format=md}}||293 structures destroyed, 22 structures damaged||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7179/|title=Echo Mountain Complex Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911104053/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7179/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Babb-Maiden/Manning |
!scope="row"|Babb-Maiden/Manning |
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|[[Spokane County, Washington]]| |
|[[Spokane County, Washington]]||18,254||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|15|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7187/|title=Babb Maiden/Manning Fires Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114456/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7187/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Whitney |
!scope="row"|Whitney |
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|[[Lincoln County, Washington]]| |
|[[Lincoln County, Washington]]||127,430||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|18|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7183/|title=Whitney Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911173337/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7183/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Inchelium Complex |
!scope="row"|Inchelium Complex |
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|[[Ferry County, Washington]]|| |
|[[Ferry County, Washington]]||19,399||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|28|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7177/|title=Inchelium Complex Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911132819/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7177/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Pearl Hill |
!scope="row"|Pearl Hill |
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|[[Douglas County, Washington]]| |
|[[Douglas County, Washington]]||223,730||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|15|format=md}}||Started when the Cold Springs fire jumped the Columbia River, then spread quickly due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Destroyed 25 residences and 35 other structures.||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7169/|title=Pearl Hill Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911130444/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7169/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=writer |first=Tony BuhrWorld staff |date=2020-10-05 |title=Recovery efforts underway in aftermath of Pearl Hill and Cold Springs fires |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/recovery-efforts-underway-in-aftermath-of-pearl-hill-and-cold-springs-fires/article_a1d39678-0750-11eb-a4ed-6b94c884e06f.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=The Wenatchee World |language=en}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Apple Acres |
!scope="row"|Apple Acres |
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|[[Chelan County, Washington]]| |
|[[Chelan County, Washington]]||5,500||{{dts|2020|9|7|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|15|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7181/|title=Apple Acres Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114457/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7181/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Fork |
!scope="row"|Fork |
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|[[El Dorado County, California]]| |
|[[El Dorado County, California]]||1,673||{{dts|2020|9|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|9|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7165/|title=Fork Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910124421/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7165/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|South Obenchain |
!scope="row"|South Obenchain |
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|[[Jackson County, Oregon]]| |
|[[Jackson County, Oregon]]||32,671||{{dts|2020|9|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|31|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185/|title=South Obenchain Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911205734/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Riverside |
!scope="row"|Riverside |
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|[[Clackamas County, Oregon]]|| |
|[[Clackamas County, Oregon]]||138,054||{{dts|2020|9|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|3|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7174/|title=Riverside Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911094115/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7174/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Santiam Fire|Santiam]] |
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|[[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas County]], [[Jefferson County, Oregon|Jefferson County]], [[Linn County, Oregon|Linn County]], [[Marion County, Oregon|Marion County]], [[Wasco County, Oregon]] ||402,592||{{dts|2020|9|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|10|format=md}}||Includes the Lionshead, Beachie Creek, and P-515 Fires, which merged. 1568+ structures destroyed, 5 deaths||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049//|title=Lionshead Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=December 13, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005938/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="P-515 Fire Information"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001//|title=Beachie Creek Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=December 13, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910233233/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Big Hollow |
!scope="row"|Big Hollow |
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|[[Skamania County, Washington]]|| |
|[[Skamania County, Washington]]||24,995||{{dts|2020|9|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|1|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7171/|title=Big Hollow Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911194314/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7171|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Almeda Drive |
!scope="row"|Almeda Drive |
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|[[Jackson County, Oregon]]||{{ |
|[[Jackson County, Oregon]]||3,200||{{dts|2020|9|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|15|format=md}}<ref name="Oregonian">{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Jim |title=Almeda fire 100% contained, officials say Tuesday |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/09/almeda-fire-100-contained-officials-say-tuesday.html |website=oregonlive.com |date=September 15, 2020 |publisher=The Oregonian |access-date=September 20, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917215336/https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2020/09/almeda-fire-100-contained-officials-say-tuesday.html |url-status=live }}</ref>||2457+ structures destroyed, 3 fatalities||<ref>{{cite web|first1=Erik|last1=Neumann|first2=Liam|last2=Moriarty|url=https://www.ijpr.org/2020-09-08/fire-in-ashland-leads-to-limited-evacuations|title=The Almeda Drive Fire Causes Extensive Damage To Talent and Phoenix|publisher=Jefferson Public Radio|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910205524/https://www.ijpr.org/2020-09-08/fire-in-ashland-leads-to-limited-evacuations|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Noelle|last=Crombie|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/09/wildfire-cuts-swath-of-destruction-in-southern-oregon-phoenix-and-talent-pretty-well-devastated.html|title=Wildfire cuts swath of destruction in southern Oregon; Phoenix and Talent 'pretty well devastated'|website=OregonLive.com|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911094649/https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/09/wildfire-cuts-swath-of-destruction-in-southern-oregon-phoenix-and-talent-pretty-well-devastated.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RRS911"/><ref name="Deliso"/> |
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!scope="row"|Chehalem Mountain- Bald Peak |
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|[[Washington County, Oregon]]||2,000||{{dts|2020|9|8|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 9, 2020|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/washington-county-fire-has-burned-up-to-2000-acres.html|title=Washington County fires have burned up to 2,000 acres|newspaper=The Oregonian|access-date=September 10, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910123253/https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/washington-county-fire-has-burned-up-to-2000-acres.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kptv.com/news/chehalem-mountain-bald-peak-fire-grows-to-2-000-acres-zero-percent-contained/article_28a5394c-f2ff-11ea-a5cb-5f5ce2764cda.html |title=Chehalem Mountain-Bald Peak Fire grows to 2,000 acres, 50 percent contained |publisher=[[KPTV]] |date=September 9, 2020 |access-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925184158/https://www.kptv.com/news/chehalem-mountain-bald-peak-fire-grows-to-2-000-acres-zero-percent-contained/article_28a5394c-f2ff-11ea-a5cb-5f5ce2764cda.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://katu.com/news/local/as-containment-increases-on-washington-co-fire-crews-move-to-clackamas-co |title=Chehalem Mountain-Bald Peak is 70% contained |publisher=[[Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue]] |date=September 11, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925184200/https://katu.com/news/local/as-containment-increases-on-washington-co-fire-crews-move-to-clackamas-co |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Mark Miller, [https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/480302-387734-most-evacuees-can-return-as-chehalem-mountain-fire-75-contained-pwoff "Most evacuees can return as Chehalem Mountain Fire 75% contained"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925184201/https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/480302-387734-most-evacuees-can-return-as-chehalem-mountain-fire-75-contained-pwoff |date=September 25, 2020 }} Portland Tribune website (last accessed September 14, 2020</ref><ref>[https://katu.com/news/local/chehalem-mountain-bald-peak-fire-100-contained-level-3-go-orders-lifted "Chehalem Mountain-Bald Peak Fire 100% contained, Level 3 'GO' orders lifted"] KATU News. September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Thielsen |
!scope="row"|Thielsen |
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|[[Douglas County, Oregon]]|| |
|[[Douglas County, Oregon]]||9,975||{{dts|2020|9|9|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|16|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/|title=Thielsen Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 16, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919075240/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Willow |
!scope="row"|Willow |
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|[[Yuba County, California]]| |
|[[Yuba County, California]]||1,311||{{dts|2020|9|9|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||41 structures destroyed; 10 structures damaged||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/9/willow-fire/|title=Willow Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910123502/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/9/willow-fire/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Archie Creek |
!scope="row"|Archie Creek |
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|[[Douglas County, Oregon]]|| |
|[[Douglas County, Oregon]]||131,542||{{dts|2020|9|9|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|16|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/|title=Archie Creek Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910161428/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Bullfrog |
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|[[ |
|[[Fresno County, California]]||1,185||{{dts|2020|9|9|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|9|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/|title=Bullfrog Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 24, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114500/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7191/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Fox |
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|[[Trinity County, California]]||2,188||{{dts|2020|9|14|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|1|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7203/|title=Fox Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 17, 2020|access-date=September 17, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922014216/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7203/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Snow |
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|[[Riverside County, California]]||6,254||{{dts|2020|9|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|18|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7207/|title=Snow Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov|publisher=InciWeb|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924005818/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7207/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Glass Fire|Glass]] |
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|[[Napa County, California]] [[Sonoma County, California]]||67,484||{{dts|2020|9|28|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|21|format=md}}||1,555 structures destroyed, 282 structures damaged||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/27/glass-fire/|title=Glass Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Zogg Fire|Zogg]] |
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|[[Shasta County, California]]||56,338||{{dts|2020|9|28|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|10|13|format=md}}||204 structures destroyed, 27 structures damaged; 1 injury, 4 fatalities||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/9/27/zogg-fire/|title=Zogg Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Range |
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|[[Utah County, Utah]]||3,496||{{dts|2020|10|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|11|format=md}}||Human-Caused (Cause: Police Target Shooting)||<ref>{{cite web |title=Over 3,000-acre fire burning in Utah County caused by police target shooting |url=https://kutv.com/news/local/over-3000-acre-fire-burning-in-utah-county-caused-by-target-shooting |website=kutv.com |date=October 19, 2020 |publisher=McKenzie Stauffer, Michal Locklear |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Silverado Fire|Silverado]] |
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|[[Orange County, California]]||12,466||{{dts|2020|10|26|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|7|format=md}}||5 structures destroyed, 9 structures damaged; 2 injuries||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/10/26/silverado-fire/|title=Silverado Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Blue Ridge |
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|[[Orange County, California]]||13,694||{{dts|2020|10|26|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|7|format=md}}||1 structure destroyed, 10 structures damaged||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/10/26/blue-ridge-fire/|title=Blue Ridge Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Laura 2 |
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|[[Orange County, California]]||2,800||{{dts|2020|11|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|24|format=md}}||40 structures destroyed||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7269/|title=Laura 2 Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.org|publisher=Inciweb|date=November 19, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Mountain View Fire|Mountain View]] |
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|[[Mono County, California]]||20,385||{{dts|2020|11|17|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|11|27|format=md}}||90 structures destroyed, 8 damaged; 1 fatality||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7270/|title=Mountain View Fire Information|website=inciweb.nwcg.org|publisher=Inciweb|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mountain-view-fire-incident-monomammoth.hub.arcgis.com/|title=Mountain View Fire Incident|website=arcgis.com|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Airport |
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|[[Riverside County, California]]||1,087||{{dts|2020|12|1|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|12|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/12/1/airport-fire/|title=Airport Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=December 12, 2020|access-date=December 12, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|[[Bond Fire|Bond]] |
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|[[Orange County, California]]||6,686||{{dts|2020|12|2|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|10|format=md}}||Started by a house fire; 31 structures destroyed; 21 structures damaged; 2 firefighter injuries||<ref>{{cite news |title=Bond Fire Erupts In Silverado Canyon East Of Irvine, Evacuations Ordered |url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/12/03/bond-fire-erupts-in-silverado-canyon-east-of-irvine-evacuations-ordered/ |work=CBS Los Angeles |date=December 3, 2020 |access-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203221132/https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/12/03/bond-fire-erupts-in-silverado-canyon-east-of-irvine-evacuations-ordered/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Brackett|first=Ron|date=December 3, 2020|title=Two Firefighters Injured In California Wildfire Fueled By High Winds|url=https://weather.com/news/news/2020-12-03-southern-california-wildfire-orange-county-bond-fire-evacuations|website=[[The Weather Channel]]|access-date=December 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bond Fire Information|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/12/2/bond-fire/|website=fire.ca.gov|date=December 6, 2020|access-date=December 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bond Fire|date=December 2, 2020|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/california-fire-map/2020-bond-fire|website=SF Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 5, 2020|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7275/|title=Bond Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System|website=inciweb.nwcg.gov}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Sanderson |
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|[[Riverside County, California]]||1,933||{{dts|2020|12|13|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|14|format=md}}||||<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/12/13/sanderson-fire/|title=Sanderson Fire|website=fire.ca.gov|publisher=[[CAL FIRE]]|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 15, 2020}}</ref> |
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!scope="row"|Creek 5 |
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|[[San Diego County, California]]||4,276||{{dts|2020|12|23|format=md}}||{{dts|2020|12|31|format=md}}||Unknown cause; over 7,000 people evacuated from housing areas on [[Camp Pendleton]]||<ref>{{Cite web|title=Creek Fire Incident|date=December 24, 2020|url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/12/23/creek-fire/|website=fire.ca.gov|access-date=December 24, 2020|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224143654/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/12/23/creek-fire/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 24, 2020|title=Thousands Forced to Flee Homes, Military Base as Fast-Moving Wildfire Closes In|url=https://weather.com/news/news/2020-12-24-camp-pendleton-fire-california-creek-fire|website=[[The Weather Channel]]|access-date=December 24, 2020}}</ref>{{anchor|Creek2}} |
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==Causes== |
== Causes == |
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===Fire policy=== |
=== Fire policy === |
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Prior to development, California fires regularly burned significantly more acreage than in recent history. Wildfires have been aggressively suppressed in the last century, resulting in a buildup of fuel, increasing the risk of large uncontrollable fires. There is broad scientific consensus that there should be more [[controlled burn]]ing of forest in California in order to reduce fire risk.<ref name="sabc_041320">{{cite web |last=Staughton |first=John |title=Why Does California Burn Every Year? |url=https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/why-does-california-burn-every-year.html |website=Science ABC |date=April 13, 2020 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804001930/https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/why-does-california-burn-every-year.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sfcbs_080318">{{cite news |last=Turner |first=Emily |title=Lack Of Controlled Burns Contributing To California Wildfires |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/08/03/lack-of-controlled-burns-contributing-to-california-wildfires/ |newspaper=[[KPIX-TV|KPIX CBS SF BayArea]] |date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902161759/https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/08/03/lack-of-controlled-burns-contributing-to-california-wildfires/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nbc_020218">{{cite news |last=Rainey |first=James |title=California is managing its forests — but is the president managing its federal lands? |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-managing-its-forests-president-managing-its-federal-lands-n942581 |newspaper=[[NBC News]] |date=December 2, 2018 |quote=Fifty-seven percent of California's 33 million acres of forest are controlled by the federal government. |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914013029/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-managing-its-forests-president-managing-its-federal-lands-n942581 |url-status=live }}</ref> Controlled burning is hampered by wildfire litigation models that present wildfires in court cases as the result of careless ignition events while discounting underlying forest conditions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=KOHN |first1=ELIAS |title=WILDFIRE LITIGATION: EFFECTS ON FOREST MANAGEMENT AND WILDFIRE EMERGENCY RESPONSE |url=https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/26722-48-3kohn |website=Lewis and Clark Law School |access-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925184210/https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/26722-48-3kohn |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=J.D. |title=PG&E to pay $1 billion to local governments affected by wildfires |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/PG-E-to-pay-1-billion-to-local-governments-14015902.php |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=June 18, 2019 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911005621/https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/PG-E-to-pay-1-billion-to-local-governments-14015902.php |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2020 [[ProPublica]] investigation blamed the culture of [[Cal Fire]], greed on the part of fire suppression contractors, and risk aversion on the part of the U.S. Forest Service from preventing appropriate controlled burns from taking place.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weil |first1=Elizabeth |title=They Know How to Prevent Megafires. Why Won't Anybody Listen? |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/they-know-how-to-prevent-megafires-why-wont-anybody-listen |website=[[ProPublica]] |date=August 28, 2020 |access-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913234007/https://www.propublica.org/article/they-know-how-to-prevent-megafires-why-wont-anybody-listen |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Prior to development, California fires regularly burned significantly more acreage than has been seen in recent history. Wildfires have been aggressively suppressed in recent years, resulting in a buildup of fuel, increasing the risk of large uncontrollable fires. There is broad scientific consensus that there should be more [[controlled burn]]ing of forest in California in order to reduce fire risk. A 2020 [[ProPublica]] investigation blames the culture of [[Cal Fire]], greed on the part of fire suppression contractors, and risk aversion on the part of the U.S. Forest Service from preventing appropriate controlled burns from taking place.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weil |first1=Elizabeth |title=They Know How to Prevent Megafires. Why Won’t Anybody Listen? |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/they-know-how-to-prevent-megafires-why-wont-anybody-listen |website=ProPublica |accessdate=14 September 2020}}</ref> |
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=== Climate change === |
=== Climate change === |
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[[File:President Trump Participates in a Briefing on Wildfires.webm|thumb|right|200px|start=09:42|Secretary of California's Natural Resources Agency Wade Crowfoot urges President Trump to not ignore the science on climate change to which Trump responds "I don't think science knows, actually"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=September 14, 2020|title='I don't think science knows,' Trump responds when challenged on climate change at wildfire briefing|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/trump-challenged-on-climate-change-during-wildfire-briefing.html|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916004040/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/trump-challenged-on-climate-change-during-wildfire-briefing.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brewster|first=Jack|title='I Don't Think Science Knows, Actually': Trump Dismisses Climate Science In California Wildfire Discussion|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2020/09/14/i-dont-think-science-knows-actually-trump-dismisses-climate-science-in-california-wildfire-discussion/|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915230325/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2020/09/14/i-dont-think-science-knows-actually-trump-dismisses-climate-science-in-california-wildfire-discussion/|url-status=live}}</ref> and "It'll start getting cooler. You just watch."<ref>{{Cite web|author=Maegan Vazquez|title=Trump baselessly questions climate science during California wildfire briefing|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/14/politics/donald-trump-wildfires-briefing-climate-change/index.html|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=CNN|date=September 14, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914205926/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/14/politics/donald-trump-wildfires-briefing-climate-change/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>]] |
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[[Climate change]] has led to increased [[heat wave]]s and the risk of [[drought]] in California, creating the conditions for more frequent and severe wildfires.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mulkern|first=Anne C.|date=August 24, 2020|title=Fast-Moving California Wildfires Boosted by Climate Change|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fast-moving-california-wildfires-boosted-by-climate-change/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905171327/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fast-moving-california-wildfires-boosted-by-climate-change/|archive-date=September 5, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|website=Scientific American|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Williams|first1=A. Park|last2=Abatzoglou|first2=John T.|last3=Gershunov|first3=Alexander|last4=Guzman-Morales|first4=Janin|last5=Bishop|first5=Daniel A.|last6=Balch|first6=Jennifer K.|author7-link=Dennis P. Lettenmaier|last7=Lettenmaier|first7=Dennis P.|date=2019|title=Observed Impacts of Anthropogenic Climate Change on Wildfire in California|journal=Earth's Future|language=en|volume=7|issue=8|pages=892–910|doi=10.1029/2019EF001210|bibcode=2019EaFut...7..892W|issn=2328-4277|doi-access=free}}</ref> It has been observed that since the early 1970s, warm-season days in California warmed by ca. 1.4 °C. This significantly increases the atmospheric [[vapor pressure deficit]], the difference between the actual and a maximum moisture content for a certain temperature. Trends simulated by climate models are consistent with human-induced trends. Summer forest-fire area reacts to the vapor pressure deficit exponentially, i.e., warming has grown increasingly impactful.<ref name=":0" /> |
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David Romps, director of the Berkeley Atmospheric Sciences Center summarizes the situation as follows: "To cut to the chase: Were the heat wave and the lightning strikes and the dryness of the vegetation affected by global warming? Absolutely yes. Were they made significantly hotter, more numerous, and drier because of global warming? Yes, likely yes, and yes."<ref name="techrev20200820">{{cite web|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/20/1007478/california-wildfires-climate-change-heatwaves/|work=MIT Technology Review|date=August 20, 2020|first=James|last=Temple|title=Yes, climate change is almost certainly fueling California's massive fires|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925184214/https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/20/1007478/california-wildfires-climate-change-heatwaves/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, [[Friederike Otto]], acting director of the [[University of Oxford]] Environmental Change Institute states, "There is absolutely no doubt that the extremely high temperatures are higher than they would have been without human-induced climate change. A huge body of [[Attribution of recent climate change|attribution literature]] demonstrates now that climate change is an absolute game-changer when it comes to heat waves, and California won't be the exception."<ref name="clt20200822">{{cite web|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/08/22/what-is-causing-those-fires-and-blackouts-in-california-could-it-be-gasp-climate-change/|title=What Is Causing Those Fires And Blackouts In California? Could It Be (Gasp!) Climate Change?|date=August 22, 2020|website=Clean Technica|first=Steve|last=Hanley|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916220757/https://cleantechnica.com/2020/08/22/what-is-causing-those-fires-and-blackouts-in-california-could-it-be-gasp-climate-change/|url-status=live}}</ref> Susan Clark, director of the Sustainability Initiative at the University at Buffalo, states, "This is climate change. This increased intensity and frequency of temperatures and heat waves are part of the projections for the future. [...] There is going to be more morbidity and mortality [from heat.] There are going to be more extremes."<ref name="clt20200822" /> |
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[[File:Newspaper headline California climate apocalypse.png|thumb|right|The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' on 13 September described the fire as a [[climate apocalypse]].]] |
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[[Climate change]] has led to increased [[heat wave]]s and the risk of [[drought]] in California, creating the conditions for more frequent and severe wildfires.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mulkern|first=Anne C.|date=2020-08-24|title=Fast-Moving California Wildfires Boosted by Climate Change|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fast-moving-california-wildfires-boosted-by-climate-change/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Scientific American|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Williams|first=A. Park|last2=Abatzoglou|first2=John T.|last3=Gershunov|first3=Alexander|last4=Guzman‐Morales|first4=Janin|last5=Bishop|first5=Daniel A.|last6=Balch|first6=Jennifer K.|last7=Lettenmaier|first7=Dennis P.|date=2019|title=Observed Impacts of Anthropogenic Climate Change on Wildfire in California|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2019EF001210|journal=Earth's Future|language=en|volume=7|issue=8|pages=892–910|doi=10.1029/2019EF001210|issn=2328-4277}}</ref> It has been observed that since the early 1970s, warm‐season days in California warmed by ca. 1.4 °C. This significantly increases the atmospheric [[vapor pressure deficit]], the difference between the actual and a maximum moisture content for a certain temperature. These trends are consistent with human-induced trends that were simulated by climate models. Summer forest‐fire area reacts to the vapor pressure deficit exponentially, i.e., warming has grown increasingly impactful.<ref name=":0" /> |
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=== Arson === |
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David Romps, director of the Berkeley Atmospheric Sciences Center summarizes the situation as follows: "To cut to the chase: Were the heat wave and the lightning strikes and the dryness of the vegetation affected by global warming? Absolutely yes. Were they made significantly hotter, more numerous, and drier because of global warming? Yes, likely yes, and yes."<ref name="techrev20200820">{{cite web|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/20/1007478/california-wildfires-climate-change-heatwaves/|work=MIT Technology Review|date=August 20, 2020|first=James|last=Temple|title=Yes, climate change is almost certainly fueling California's massive fires}}</ref> Similarly, Friederike Otto, acting director of the [[University of Oxford]] Environmental Change Institute states, "There is absolutely no doubt that the extremely high temperatures are higher than they would have been without human-induced climate change. A huge body of [[Attribution of recent climate change|attribution literature]] demonstrates now that climate change is an absolute game-changer when it comes to heat waves, and California won't be the exception."<ref name="clt20200822">{{cite web|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/08/22/what-is-causing-those-fires-and-blackouts-in-california-could-it-be-gasp-climate-change/|title=What Is Causing Those Fires And Blackouts In California? Could It Be (Gasp!) Climate Change?|date=August 22, 2020|website=Clean Technica|first=Steve|last=Hanley}}</ref> [[Susan Clark]], director of the Sustainability Initiative at the University at Buffalo, states, "This is climate change. This increased intensity and frequency of temperatures and heat waves are part of the projections for the future. [...] There is going to be more morbidity and mortality [from heat.] There are going to be more extremes."<ref name="clt20200822" /> |
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In August 2020, a suspect was charged by the Monterey County Sheriff with arson relating to the [[Dolan Fire]]; however, this has not been officially determined as the cause of the fire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monterey County Sheriff Inmates list |url=https://montereysheriff.org/inmates/ |website=Monterey County Sheriff's Office |access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ivan-geronimo-gomez-charged-with-arson-in-connection-to-california-wildfire-thats-torched-2500-acres |access-date=September 16, 2020|title=Man Charged With Arson in Connection to California Wildfire That's Torched 2,500 Acres|date=August 19, 2020|first=Madeline|last=Charbonneau}}</ref> In April 2021, another suspect, already arrested and charged for the murder of a woman, was charged with arson relating to the Markley Fire, one of the wildfires involving in the [[LNU Lightning Complex fires]]; according to authorities, the fire was set to cover up the aforementioned murder.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-wildfire-killed-2-was-started-cover-murder-officials-say-n1265805|title=California wildfire that killed 2 was started to cover up murder, officials say|publisher=NBC News|last=Helsel|first=Phil|date=April 28, 2021|accessdate=April 29, 2021}}</ref> Arson has also been suspected as the cause of the Ranch 2 Fire in Los Angeles County.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} |
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== Obstacles to fire control == |
== Obstacles to fire control == |
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[[File:President Trump Participates in a Briefing on Wildfires.webm|thumb|right|200px|start=09:42|Secretary of California's Natural Resources Agency Wade Crowfoot urges President Trump to not ignore the science on climate change to which Trump responds "I don't think science knows, actually"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=2020-09-14|title='I don't think science knows,' Trump responds when challenged on climate change at wildfire briefing|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/trump-challenged-on-climate-change-during-wildfire-briefing.html|access-date=2020-09-14|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brewster|first=Jack|title=‘I Don’t Think Science Knows, Actually’: Trump Dismisses Climate Science In California Wildfire Discussion|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2020/09/14/i-dont-think-science-knows-actually-trump-dismisses-climate-science-in-california-wildfire-discussion/|access-date=2020-09-14|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> and "It'll start getting cooler. You just watch."<ref>{{Cite web|last=CNN|first=Maegan Vazquez|title=Trump baselessly questions climate science during California wildfire briefing|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/14/politics/donald-trump-wildfires-briefing-climate-change/index.html|access-date=2020-09-14|website=CNN}}</ref>]] |
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===Rumors about far-left and far-right involvement=== |
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Rumors were spread on social media that [[Antifa (United States)|antifa]] activists supposedly involved in arson and rioting accompanying the nearby [[George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon]], were deliberately setting fires, and were preparing to loot property that was being evacuated. Some residents refused to evacuate based on the rumors, choosing to "defend their homes" from the alleged invasion. Authorities pleaded with residents to ignore the rumors.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Healy|first1=Jack|last2=Baker|first2=Mike|title=In Oregon, a Year of Political Tumult Extends to Devastating Wildfires|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/11/us/fires-oregon-antifa-rumors.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912063918/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/11/us/fires-oregon-antifa-rumors.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[QAnon]] followers participated in this misinformation, with one claim that six antifa activists had been arrested for setting fires specifically amplified by "Q", i.e. "the anonymous person or people behind QAnon".<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=Donie|last2=Toropin|first2=Konstantin|title=QAnon fans spread fake claims about real fires in Oregon|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/tech/qanon-oregon-fire-conspiracy-theory/index.html|website=CNN.com|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912105440/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/tech/qanon-oregon-fire-conspiracy-theory/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Zadrozny|first1=Brandy|last2=Collins|first2=Ben|title=West Coast officials are already fighting wildfires. Now they're fighting misinformation, too.|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/wildfires-rage-false-antifa-rumors-spur-pleas-police-n1239881|website=NBCNews.com|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913200349/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/wildfires-rage-false-antifa-rumors-spur-pleas-police-n1239881|url-status=live}}</ref> Days earlier, [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Donald Trump]] and [[United States Attorney General|U.S. Attorney General]] [[Bill Barr]] had amplified social media rumors of preceding months that planes and buses full of antifa activists were preparing to invade communities, allegedly funded by [[George Soros]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Ben|title=Trump's 'plane loaded with thugs' conspiracy theory matches months-old rumor|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-s-plane-loaded-thugs-rumor-matches-months-old-facebook-n1238962|website=NBCNews.com|date=September 1, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912054556/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-s-plane-loaded-thugs-rumor-matches-months-old-facebook-n1238962|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Feldman|first=Josh|title=Trump: 'Weak' Joe Biden Won't Calm Things Down|url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/trump-weak-biden-wont-calm-things-down-people-that-are-in-the-dark-shadows-are-pulling-his-strings/|website=Mediaite.com|date=August 31, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114450/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/trump-weak-biden-wont-calm-things-down-people-that-are-in-the-dark-shadows-are-pulling-his-strings/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Zadrozny|first1=Brandy|last2=Collins|first2=Ben|title=False antifa rumors about a suburban invasion take over neighborhood social media apps|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/antifa-rumors-spread-local-social-media-no-evidence-n1222486|website=NBCNews.com|date=June 2, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912033037/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/antifa-rumors-spread-local-social-media-no-evidence-n1222486|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Anglen|first1=Robert|last2=Ruelas|first2=Richard|last3=Longhi|first3=Lorraine|title=Fake social media posts incite fear of suburban marauders, rape and murder across the U.S.|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/06/05/fake-social-media-posts-incite-arizona-fear-marauders-rape-and-murder/3125894001/|newspaper=[[The Arizona Republic]]|date=June 4, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114449/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/06/05/fake-social-media-posts-incite-arizona-fear-marauders-rape-and-murder/3125894001/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Zadrozny|first1=Brandy|last2=Collins|first2=Ben|title=In Klamath Falls, Oregon, victory declared over antifa, which never showed up|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/klamath-falls-oregon-victory-declared-over-antifa-which-never-showed-n1226681|website=NBCNews.com|date=June 6, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912054558/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/klamath-falls-oregon-victory-declared-over-antifa-which-never-showed-n1226681|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wolfe|first=Jan|title=U.S. Attorney General Barr says antifa 'flying around' U.S. to incite violence|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-barr-police-idUSKBN25T3AI|agency=[[Reuters]]|website=Reuters.com|date=September 3, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910080623/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-barr-police-idUSKBN25T3AI|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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=== Rumors about political extremist involvement === |
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Rumors also circulated that members of [[far-right]] groups such as the [[Proud Boys]] had started some of the fires. However, authorities labeled the claims as false, saying that people needed to question claims they found on social media.<ref name="false rumors">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-09-11/rumors-far-right-proud-boys-far-left-antifa-setting-fires|title=Wildfires spawn false rumors blaming far right, far left for setting them|publisher=The Los Angeles Times|date=September 11, 2020|accessdate=September 13, 2020}}</ref> |
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In Oregon, rumors spread that [[Antifa (United States)|Antifa]] activists allegedly involved in arson and rioting accompanying the nearby [[George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon]], were deliberately setting fires and were preparing to loot property that was being evacuated. Some residents refused to evacuate based on the rumors. Authorities urged residents to ignore the rumors and follow evacuation orders, noting that firefighters' lives could be endangered rescuing those who remained.<ref name="NYT Healy Baker">{{cite news|last1=Healy|first1=Jack|last2=Baker|first2=Mike|title=In Oregon, a Year of Political Tumult Extends to Devastating Wildfires|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/11/us/fires-oregon-antifa-rumors.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912063918/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/11/us/fires-oregon-antifa-rumors.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[QAnon]] followers participated in spreading the rumors, with one claim that six antifa activists had been arrested for setting fires specifically amplified by "Q", the anonymous person or people behind QAnon.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=Donie|last2=Toropin|first2=Konstantin|title=QAnon fans spread fake claims about real fires in Oregon|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/tech/qanon-oregon-fire-conspiracy-theory/index.html|website=CNN.com|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912105440/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/tech/qanon-oregon-fire-conspiracy-theory/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Zadrozny|first1=Brandy|author-link1=Brandy Zadrozny|last2=Collins|first2=Ben|title=West Coast officials are already fighting wildfires. Now they're fighting misinformation, too.|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/wildfires-rage-false-antifa-rumors-spur-pleas-police-n1239881|website=NBCNews.com|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913200349/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/wildfires-rage-false-antifa-rumors-spur-pleas-police-n1239881|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[Misinformation|False rumors]] also circulated that members of [[far-right]] groups such as the [[Proud Boys]] had started some of the fires. However, authorities labelled the claims as false, saying that people needed to question claims they found on social media.<ref name="false rumors">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-09-11/rumors-far-right-proud-boys-far-left-antifa-setting-fires|title=Wildfires spawn false rumors blaming far right, far left for setting them|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912022118/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-09-11/rumors-far-right-proud-boys-far-left-antifa-setting-fires|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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There have been multiple arrests for arson surrounding the wildfires in multiple states,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Oregonian/OregonLive|first=Jayati Ramakrishnan {{!}} The|date=2020-09-11|title=Man arrested, charged with arson in connection with southern Oregon fire|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/09/man-arrested-charged-with-arson-in-connection-with-southern-oregon-fire.html|access-date=2020-09-16|website=oregonlive|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Puyallup man arrested for setting fire along SR 167|url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/article245621060.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=9/15/2020|website=The News Tribune}}</ref> but there is no indication that the incidents were connected to a mass arson campaign, according to multiple law enforcement officers.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/us/antifa-wildfires.html</ref><ref>https://www.factcheck.org/2020/09/police-political-activists-didnt-cause-oregons-wildfires/</ref> |
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There have been a number of arrests for arson surrounding the wildfires, but there is no indication that the incidents were connected to a mass arson campaign, according to multiple law enforcement officers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/us/antifa-wildfires.html |title=False Rumors That Activists Set Wildfires Exasperate Officials |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 11, 2020 |access-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916201910/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/us/antifa-wildfires.html |url-status=live |last1=Conger |first1=Kate |last2=Alba |first2=Davey|author-link2=Davey Alba |last3=Baker |first3=Mike }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2020/09/police-political-activists-didnt-cause-oregons-wildfires/ |title=Police: Political Activists Didn't Cause Oregon's Wildfires |date=September 11, 2020 |access-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916064126/https://www.factcheck.org/2020/09/police-political-activists-didnt-cause-oregons-wildfires/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kavanaugh">{{cite news|last1=Kavanaugh|first1=Shane Dixon|date=September 19, 2020|title=Rash of Oregon arson cases fuels fear, conspiracy theories during devastating wildfires|agency=[[The Oregonian]]|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2020/09/rash-of-oregon-arson-cases-fuel-fear-conspiracy-theories-during-devastating-wildfires.html|access-date=September 27, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925083602/https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2020/09/rash-of-oregon-arson-cases-fuel-fear-conspiracy-theories-during-devastating-wildfires.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, a man allegedly set fires in Glide, Oregon, after a Douglas Forest Protection Association member refused to give him a ride to town.<ref name="Kavanaugh" /> |
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===COVID-19 pandemic=== |
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=== COVID-19 pandemic === |
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The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] brought new challenges for firefighters fighting wildfires due to measures intended to reduce the transmission of the disease. The [[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] (CAL Fire) implemented new protocols such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing while resting, and reducing the number of occupants in the pickup trucks used to transport firefighters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Romo|first=Vanessa|title=Wildfires Rage In California As Fire Crews And Evacuees Grapple With COVID-19 Risks|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/21/904552759/wildfires-rage-on-in-california-as-fire-crews-and-evacuees-grapple-with-covid-ri|website=NPR.org|date=August 21, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912064946/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/21/904552759/wildfires-rage-on-in-california-as-fire-crews-and-evacuees-grapple-with-covid-ri|url-status=live}}</ref> |
The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] brought new challenges for firefighters fighting wildfires due to measures intended to reduce the transmission of the disease. The [[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] (CAL Fire) implemented new protocols such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing while resting, and reducing the number of occupants in the pickup trucks used to transport firefighters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Romo|first=Vanessa|title=Wildfires Rage In California As Fire Crews And Evacuees Grapple With COVID-19 Risks|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/21/904552759/wildfires-rage-on-in-california-as-fire-crews-and-evacuees-grapple-with-covid-ri|website=NPR.org|date=August 21, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912064946/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/21/904552759/wildfires-rage-on-in-california-as-fire-crews-and-evacuees-grapple-with-covid-ri|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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California relies heavily on [[California fire camps|inmate firefighters]], with incarcerated people making up nearly a quarter of CAL FIRE's total workforce in 2018–2019.<ref>https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/weather/2020/08/21/inmate-firefighters-sidelined-in-california</ref> Coronavirus measures within the prison system, such as early release and quarantine policies, have reduced the number of inmate firefighters available, necessitating the hiring of additional seasonal firefighters.<ref>https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-19/california-resources-stretched-23-wildfires</ref> |
California relies heavily on [[California fire camps|inmate firefighters]], with incarcerated people making up nearly a quarter of CAL FIRE's total workforce in 2018–2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/weather/2020/08/21/inmate-firefighters-sidelined-in-california |title=Coronavirus Depletes CA Inmate Firefighter Workforce |access-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925184215/https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/weather/2020/08/21/inmate-firefighters-sidelined-in-california |url-status=live }}</ref> Coronavirus measures within the prison system, such as early release and quarantine policies, have reduced the number of inmate firefighters available, necessitating the hiring of additional seasonal firefighters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-19/california-resources-stretched-23-wildfires |title=California firefighting resources 'stretched' by 23 major wildfires, Newsom says |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916125212/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-19/california-resources-stretched-23-wildfires |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==Impacts== |
== Impacts == |
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=== Fire === |
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{{Expand section|date=September 2020}} |
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<!-- It's very important that we add greatly to this section right now, as a lot of news has been coming out the past few days about burnt-out neighborhoods and search for survivors in them. We have to try to keep adding as news comes, as it will be harder to find the same articles later on --> |
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In Oregon, wildfires throughout the whole year, with most occurring in September, charred a record of {{convert|1,000,000|acres|km2}}, destroying 1,145 homes and |
In Oregon, wildfires throughout the whole year, with most occurring in September, charred a record of {{convert|1,000,000|acres|km2}}, destroying a total of 4,800 structures, including 1,145 homes, and killing 9 people. The towns of Phoenix and Talent were mostly destroyed in the Almeda fire on September 8.<ref>{{cite news |title=Oregon fires update: 9 killed, 4,800 structures lost; Camp Sherman evacuation levels lifted |url=https://ktvz.com/top-stories/2020/09/19/oregon-fires-update-9-killed-4800-structures-lost-camp-sherman-evacuation-levels-lifted/ |access-date=September 21, 2020 |agency=[[KTVZ]] |date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> In Washington, 2020 wildfires burned {{convert|800,000|acres|km2}}, with 418 structures, including 195 homes, burned. In California, about {{convert|3,300,000|acres|km2}} burned from wildfires in 2020, the highest burned acreage ever recorded in a fire season. About {{convert|2,100,000|acres|km2}} burned in the August lighting wildfires and {{convert|1,000,000|acres|km2}} more in September.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bella|first1=Timothy|last2=Iati|first2=Marisa|last3=Knowles|first3=Hannah|title=Oregon officials concerned wildfires could cause widespread death after a million acres burn|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/11/oregon-wildfires-clackamas-evacuation/|access-date=September 16, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916025302/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/11/oregon-wildfires-clackamas-evacuation/|url-status=live}}</ref> 4,200 structures were destroyed the whole year in California, and 25 people were killed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzsimons |first1=Tim |title=Man, woman who died in California fires were ready to flee but stayed because of 'erroneous information' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-woman-who-died-california-fires-were-ready-flee-stayed-n1240200 |access-date=September 16, 2020 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916210249/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-woman-who-died-california-fires-were-ready-flee-stayed-n1240200 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===Smoke and air pollution=== |
=== Smoke and air pollution === |
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The fires resulted in unprecedented air pollution for several days, even weeks in a row, across much of the American West. Air quality was poor all the way from [[Los Angeles]] to [[British Columbia]], and across much of California, Oregon, and Washington. In Oregon, smoke was so bad that stores like Whole Foods had to close, along with college campuses. Flights from Portland, Oregon, to Spokane, Washington were also cancelled because of the thick air. Some places in Oregon had air quality over 500 AQI, which was "off the charts" of the AQI index scale.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cline |first1=Sara |last2=Flaccus |first2=Gillian |title=Seeping under doors, bad air from West's fires won't ease up |url=https://apnews.com/41d19571e31aa18ba762c4e5b0282e8f |accessdate=16 September 2020 |agency=[[AP News]] |date=16 September 2020}}</ref> Smoke from the Western fires had reached as far as [[New York City]] and [[Washington D.C.]], although fortunately much of the smoke was at {{convert|25,000|ft|m}} above sea level in those places, which was high enough to not impact air quality and just resulted in skies with a yellow or brown tinge.<ref>{{cite news |title=US West Coast fires: Smoke spreads to New York and Washington |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-54173615 |accessdate=16 September 2020 |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=16 September 2020}}</ref> |
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The fires resulted in worsened air pollution across much of the western U.S. and Canada, from [[Los Angeles]] to [[British Columbia]]. [[Alaska Airlines]] suspended its flights from [[Portland, Oregon]], and [[Spokane, Washington]], due to poor air quality.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fedschun |first1=Travis |title=Alaska Airlines suspends Portland, Spokane flights due to wildfire smoke |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-wildfire-smoke-spokane-flights-suspended |access-date=September 17, 2020 |agency=[[FOX Business]] |date=September 15, 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916232847/https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-wildfire-smoke-spokane-flights-suspended |url-status=live }}</ref> Some cities in Oregon recorded air quality readings of over 500 on the AQI scale, while readings of over 200 were recorded in major cities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cline |first1=Sara |last2=Flaccus |first2=Gillian |title=Seeping under doors, bad air from West's fires won't ease up |url=https://apnews.com/41d19571e31aa18ba762c4e5b0282e8f |access-date=September 16, 2020 |work=[[AP News]] |date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916005841/https://apnews.com/41d19571e31aa18ba762c4e5b0282e8f |url-status=live }}</ref> Smoke from the fires were carried to the East Coast and Europe, causing yellowed skies but having little impact on air quality.<ref>{{cite news |title=US West Coast fires: Smoke spreads to New York and Washington |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-54173615 |access-date=September 16, 2020 |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916150224/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-54173615 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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====Orange and red skies==== |
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{{Expand section|date=September 2020}} |
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The heavy smoke had resulted in several smoke-related incidents. In California, for example, a San Francisco resident was hiking through [[Yosemite National Park]] on September 5 when suddenly the sky turned a dark, ugly color and the temperature dropped greatly, reminiscent of a thunderstorm. Ash and smoke started falling, and this erratic weather was caused by the nearby Creek Fire.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Graff|first=Amy|date=September 8, 2020|title=SF resident caught in Yosemite smoke storm: 'The sky was so dark it was hard to see'|work=[[SF Gate]]|url=https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Yosemite-smoke-Creek-Fire-15550551.php|url-status=live|access-date=September 18, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918022939/https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Yosemite-smoke-Creek-Fire-15550551.php}}</ref> In another incident, on September 14, an [[Oakland Athletics|Oakland A's]] player was at a game at the Seattle Mariners' stadium, when suddenly in the middle of the game he started gasping for air.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=David |title=Wildfire smoke leaves Oakland A's pitcher gasping for air during Seattle Mariners game |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/weather/mlb-oakland-pitcher-smoke-trnd/index.html |access-date=8 October 2020 |agency=[[CNN]] |date=15 September 2020}}</ref> |
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Red skies have appeared over many cities over the U.S West coast, due to smoke from the wildfires blocking lighter colors, created from [[Rayleigh scattering|light infraction]]. The first red sky was spotted on September 9th.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Facebook|last2=Twitter|last3=options|first3=Show more sharing|last4=Facebook|last5=Twitter|last6=LinkedIn|last7=Email|last8=URLCopied!|first8=Copy Link|last9=Print|date=2020-09-09|title=Deep orange skies, 'snowing' ash as fire smoke swamps Bay Area|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-09/california-fire-smoke-sun-bay-area-red-orange-sky|access-date=2020-09-16|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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It is estimated that as many as 1,200 to 3,000 indirect deaths have been caused by the adverse effects of smoke inhalation.<ref name="sfchronicle.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Hidden-cost-of-wildfire-smoke-Stanford-15595754.php|title='Hidden cost' of wildfire smoke: Stanford researchers estimate up to 3,000 indirect deaths|date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> |
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Red skies appeared over many cities over the West Coast, including on [[Orange Skies Day]], due to smoke from the wildfires blocking lighter colors, created from [[Rayleigh scattering|light infraction]].<ref>{{Cite news|author1=Rong-Gong Lin II|last2=Rust|first2=Susanne|date=September 9, 2020|title=Deep orange skies, 'snowing' ash as fire smoke swamps Bay Area|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-09/california-fire-smoke-sun-bay-area-red-orange-sky|access-date=September 16, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915092448/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-09/california-fire-smoke-sun-bay-area-red-orange-sky|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the complex oxidative chemistry occurring during the transport of wildfire smoke in the atmosphere,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rana|first1=Md. Sohel|last2=Guzman|first2=Marcelo I.|date=2020-10-22|title=Oxidation of Phenolic Aldehydes by Ozone and Hydroxyl Radicals at the Air–Water Interface|journal=The Journal of Physical Chemistry A|language=en|volume=124|issue=42|pages=8822–8833|doi=10.1021/acs.jpca.0c05944|pmid=32931271|bibcode=2020JPCA..124.8822R |issn=1089-5639|doi-access=free}}</ref> the toxicity of emissions was suggested to increase over time.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-15|title=Wildfire Smoke Toxicity Increases Over Time, Poses Public Health Risk, According to UK Chemist|url=https://uknow.uky.edu/research/wildfire-smoke-toxicity-increases-over-time-poses-public-health-risk-according-uk-chemist|access-date=2020-10-30|website=UKNow}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=As smoke from forest fires ages in the atmosphere its toxicity increases|url=https://phys.org/news/2020-10-forest-ages-atmosphere-toxicity.html|access-date=2020-10-30|website=phys.org|language=en}}</ref> |
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| Smoke from the [[North Complex Fire]] settles over San Francisco, turning the midday sky a dark orange on September 9 |
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=== Ecological effects === |
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The unique [[sagebrush scrub]] habitat of the [[Columbia Plateau (ecoregion)|Columbia Basin]] in Washington was heavily affected by the fires, devastating populations of the endemic [[Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit]] and endangered, isolated populations of [[greater sage-grouse]] and [[Columbian sharp-tailed grouse]]. About half of the pygmy rabbit population and over 30-70% of the grouse population may have been lost to the fires, reversing decades of conservation work. Aside from climate change, the spread of the fires may have been assisted by the intrusion of invasive [[Bromus tectorum|cheatgrass]] into the habitats. Fires in [[old-growth forest]]s of Oregon may negatively affect the populations of the endangered [[northern spotted owl]] and [[American marten|pine marten]], and the resulting ash from the fires may be washed into streams and threaten endangered [[Oncorhynchus|salmon]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Endangered wildlife, habitat burned in Washington's wildfires|url=https://phys.org/news/2020-09-endangered-wildlife-habitat-washington-wildfires.html|access-date=September 18, 2020|website=phys.org|language=en|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917001639/https://phys.org/news/2020-09-endangered-wildlife-habitat-washington-wildfires.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=September 17, 2020|title=Blazes on West Coast Scorch Habitats for Endangered Species|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/us/fires-oregon-california-washington.html|access-date=September 18, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918020118/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/us/fires-oregon-california-washington.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Climate change also reduces the likelihood of forests re-establishing themselves after a fire.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=McDermott|first1=Amy|date=2020|title=News Feature: Foreseeing fires|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=117|issue=36|pages=21834–21838|doi=10.1073/pnas.2014291117|pmid=32817428|pmc=7486769|bibcode=2020PNAS..11721834M|issn=0027-8424|doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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The [[Cassia Crossbill]] may lose half its population due to the pending consequences of the wildfires, one of which engulfed a large portion of the South Hills, one of the only two strongholds for the bird.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-14|title=Nearly Half of the Cassia Crossbill's Population Could Be Lost After Wildfire|url=https://www.audubon.org/news/nearly-half-cassia-crossbills-population-could-be-lost-after-wildfire|access-date=2020-10-26|website=Audubon|language=en}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[2020s in environmental history]] |
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{{Portal|California|Oregon|Arizona|Earth sciences}} |
{{Portal|California|Oregon|Arizona|Earth sciences}} |
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* [[2019 Amazon rainforest wildfires]] |
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===Other wildfires=== |
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* [[2020 wildfire season]] |
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* [[2020 Brazil rainforest wildfires]] |
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* [[2019–20 Australian bushfire season]] |
* [[2019–20 Australian bushfire season]] |
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* [[ |
* [[2019 Amazon rainforest wildfires]] |
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* [[ |
* [[2019 Siberia wildfires]] |
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* [[2020 Washington wildfires]] |
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* [[August 2020 California lightning wildfires]] |
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* [[Emergency evacuation procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic]] |
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* [[List of California wildfires]] |
* [[List of California wildfires]] |
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===General=== |
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== Explanatory notes== |
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* [[2020 in the environment and environmental sciences]] |
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{{notelist}} |
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* [[Emergency evacuation procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic]] |
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== |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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{{commons category|2020 wildfires in the United States}} |
{{commons category|2020 wildfires in the United States}} |
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* [http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents Current fire information]—[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] (CAL FIRE) |
* [http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents Current fire information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214000844/http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents |date=December 14, 2017 }}—[[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] (CAL FIRE) |
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* [https://firemap.sdsc.edu/ SDSC WiFire Interactive Map]—San Diego Supercomputer Center |
* [https://firemap.sdsc.edu/ SDSC WiFire Interactive Map]—San Diego Supercomputer Center |
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* [https://fsapps.nwcg.gov/afm/ Active Fire map of United States] at nwcg.gov |
* [https://fsapps.nwcg.gov/afm/ Active Fire map of United States] at nwcg.gov |
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[[Category:Lists of wildfires in the United States|Western United States wildfire season, 2020]] |
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[[Category:{{Title year}} wildfires in the United States|West]] |
Latest revision as of 18:13, 19 September 2024
2020 Western United States wildfire season | |
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Date(s) | July 24, 2020 – December 31, 2020 |
Location | Western United States |
Statistics[3] | |
Total fires | 100+[citation needed] |
Total area | 10,200,000 acres (4,100,000 ha)[1][2] |
Impacts | |
Deaths | 47 direct (32 in California, 11 in Oregon, 1 in Washington, 1 in Arizona, 2 in Colorado)[4][5] 1,200 to 3,000 indirect (caused by the adverse effects of smoke inhalation)[6] |
Non-fatal injuries | Unknown |
Structures destroyed | 13,887[2] |
Damage | >$19.884 billion (2020 USD)[1][2] |
2020 Western U.S. wildfires |
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The Western United States experienced a series of major wildfires in 2020. Severe August thunderstorms ignited numerous wildfires across California, Oregon, and Washington, followed in early September by additional ignitions across the West Coast. Fanned by strong, gusty winds and fueled by hot, dry terrains, many of the fires exploded and coalesced into record-breaking megafires,[7] burning more than 10.2 million acres (41,000 square kilometres) of land,[1][2] mobilizing tens of thousands of firefighters, razing over ten thousand buildings,[2] and killing at least 37 people.[8][9] The fires caused over $19.884 billion (2020 USD) in damages,[1][2] including $16.5 billion in property damage and $3.384 billion in fire suppression costs.[1][2] Climate change and poor forest management practices contributed to the severity of the wildfires.[10]
Background
[edit]Fire, environment, and cultural shift
[edit]Save for areas along the Pacific coast and mountain ridgetops, North America tends to be wetter in the east and drier in the west. This creates ideal conditions in the West for lightning sparked and wind driven storms to spread large-scale, seasonal wildfires.[11][12] Human societies practicing cultural burns developed in these conditions. Various Indigenous controlled fire practices,[12] as well as their adoption by settlers, were curtailed and outlawed during the European colonization of the Americas, culminating with the modern fire suppression era, signified by the Weeks Act of 1911, which formalized paradigmatic changes in ecosystem priorities and management.[11][better source needed][13] Land was protected from fire, and vegetation accumulated near settlements, increasing the risk of explosive, smoky conflagrations.
Many indigenous tribes, including the Karuk, have passed down cultural memories of adaptations to fire-prone ecosystems, including cultural burning. In the last few decades, these have been acknowledged by the United States Forest Service, NOAA,[14] and other agencies in American colonial nations.[13][15]
While lightning sparked ignitions are typical of fire-prone ecosystems, higher human population and increased development in the wildland–urban interface has increased accidental and intentional sparking of destructive fires.[16]
Record hemispheric heat
[edit]The Northern Hemisphere January–August land and ocean surface temperature tied with 2016 as the warmest such period since global records began in 1880. The Southern Hemisphere had its third-warmest such period (tied with 2017) on record, behind 2016 and 2019.[17]
— United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, September 14, 2020
Record dry weather struck the Western United States in late 2019, extending all the way through the winter of 2020. The lack of precipitation prompted concerns from state governments and the press.[19] On March 22, a state of emergency was declared by California Governor Gavin Newsom due to a mass die-off of trees throughout the state, potentially increasing the risk of wildfire.[20] Oregon officially declared the start of their wildfire season that same month.[20][21] Despite light rain in late March and April, severe drought conditions persisted, and were predicted to last late into the year, due to a delayed wet season.[22] After fires began in Washington in April, several more fires occurred throughout the West Coast, prompting burn ban restrictions in Washington and Oregon, come July.[23]
Year-to-date wildfire figures
[edit]United States agencies stationed at the National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho maintain a "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" on wildfires, delineating 10 sub-national areas, aggregating the regional and national totals of burn size, fire suppression cost, and razed structure count, among other data. As of October 21, "Coordination Centers" of each geography report the following:[2]
Note: Check primary sources for up-to-date statistics. This data is not final and may contain duplicate reports until the data is finalized around January 2021.
Coordination Center | Acres | Hectares | Suppression Costs | Structures Destroyed |
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Alaska Interagency | 171,045.7 | 69,219.7 | $14,837,241.00 | 8 |
Northwest Area | 1,930,877.2 | 781,398.3 | $414,535,531.13 | 4,472 |
Northern California Area | 4,058,314.2 | 1,642,341.5 | $1,388,359,480.14 | 9,747 |
Southern California Area | 1,318,498.5 | 533,577.4 | $921,427,069.00 | 1,857 |
Northern Rockies | 368,164.6 | 148,990.9 | $75,698,682.00 | 222 |
Great Basin | 926,042.5 | 374,756.1 | $251,845,657.39 | 275 |
Southwest Area | 1,047,410.6 | 423,872.0 | $204,076,181.96 | 64 |
Rocky Mountain Area | 1,011,332.6 | 409,271.8 | $343,972,034.34 | 1,140 |
Eastern Area | 14,989.8 | 6,066.2 | $631,398.58 | 24 |
Southern Area | 2,892,799.1 | 1,170,674.3 | $15,526,190.92 | 324 |
Totals[a] | 13,739,474.8 | 5,560,168.2 | $3,630,909,466.46 | 18,133 |
- ^ Year-to-date totals as of December 30, 2020
Timeline of events
[edit]Initial ignitions and weather conditions
[edit]April saw the beginning of wildfires in the west coast, as Washington experienced two fires: the Stanwood Bryant Fire in Snohomish County (70 acres (28 ha)) and the Porter Creek Fire in Whatcom County (80 acres (32 ha)).[25] The Oregon Department of Forestry declared fire season beginning July 5, 2020, signaling the end of unregulated debris burning outdoors, a major cause of wildfires.[26]
Between July 16 and 30, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and many county governments – including Mason, Thurston, King, Pierce and Whatcom Counties – issued fire safety burn bans due to elevated risk of uncontrolled fires.[27] In late July, a brush fire in Chelan County, the Colockum Fire, burned at least 3,337 acres (1,350 ha) and caused homes to be evacuated.[28] A fire on the Colville Reservation near Nespelem called the Greenhouse Fire burned at least 5,146 acres (2,083 ha) and caused the evacuation of the Colville Tribal Corrections Facility and other structures.[29][30]
Between August 14 and 16, Northern California was subjected to record-breaking warm temperatures,[31] due to anomalously strong high pressure over the region. Early on August 15, the National Weather Service for San Francisco issued a Fire Weather Watch[32] highlighting the risk of wildfire starts due to the combination of lightning risk due to moist, unstable air aloft, dry fuels, and hot temperatures near the surface. Later that day, the Fire Weather Watch was upgraded to a Red Flag Warning,[33] noting the risk of abundant lightning already apparent as the storms moved toward the region from the south.
In mid-August, the remnants of Tropical Storm Fausto interacted with the jet stream, resulting in a large plume of moisture moving northward towards the West Coast of the U.S., triggering a massive siege of lightning storms in Northern California, and setting the conditions for wildfires elsewhere.[34] Due to abnormal wind patterns, this plume streamed from up to 1,000 miles (1,609 km) off the coast of the Baja Peninsula into Northern California. This moisture then interacted with a high-pressure ridge situated over Nevada that was bringing a long-track heat wave to much of California and the West.[35] These colliding weather systems then created excessive atmospheric instability that generated massive thunderstorms throughout much of Northern and Central California. Multiple places also experienced Midwest-style convective "heat bursts"–in which rapid collapse of thunderstorm updrafts caused air parcels aloft to plunge to the surface and warm to extreme levels, with one location near Travis Air Force Base going from around 80 to 100 °F (27 to 38 °C) in nearly 1–2 hours.[36] Additionally, much of these storms were only accompanied with dry lightning and produced little to no rain, making conditions very favorable for wildfires to spark and spread rapidly.[37]
As a result of the fires, on August 19, Governors Kate Brown and Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for Oregon and Washington respectively.[38][39]
Growth of fires
[edit]By August 20, the Palmer Fire near Oroville, Washington – which started August 18 – had reached 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) and forced evacuation of up to 85 homes.[40][41] The largest of the fires in the Olympics reached 2.4 acres (0.97 ha) by August 20.[42]
The Evans Canyon Fire, a few miles north of Naches, began around August 31 and expanded to tens of thousands of acres, shut down Washington State Route 821 in the Yakima River Canyon, burned several homes and caused hundreds of families to evacuate, and caused unhealthy air quality in Yakima County.[43] By September 6, it had burned almost 76,000 acres (31,000 ha).[44]
The August 2020 lightning fires include three of the largest wildfires in the recorded history of California: the SCU Lightning Complex, the August Complex, and the LNU Lightning Complex. On September 10, 2020, the August Complex became the single-largest wildfire in the recorded history of California, reaching a total area burned of 471,185 acres (1,907 km2). Then, on September 11, it merged with the Elkhorn Fire, another massive wildfire of 255,039 acres (1,032 km2), turning the August Complex into a monster wildfire of 746,607 acres (3,021 km2).[45]
In early September 2020, a combination of a record-breaking heat wave, and Diablo and Santa Ana winds sparked more fires and explosively grew active fires, with the August Complex surpassing the 2018 Mendocino Complex to become California's largest recorded wildfire.[45] The North Complex increased in size as the winds fanned it westward, threatening the city of Oroville, and triggering mass evacuations.[46] During the first week in September, the 2020 fire season set a new California record for the most area burned in a year at 2,000,000 acres (810,000 ha).[47] As of September 13, 3,200,000 acres (1,300,000 ha) had burned in the state.[48] On September 5, heat from the Creek Fire generated a large pyrocumulonimbus cloud, described as one of the largest seen in the United States.[49]
On September 7, a "historic fire event" with high winds resulted in 80 fires and nearly 300,000 acres (120,000 ha) burned in a day. Malden, in the Palouse Country of Eastern Washington, was mostly destroyed by one of the fires.[50] By the evening of September 8, the Cold Springs Canyon and adjacent Pearl Hill Fires had burned over 337,000 acres (136,000 ha) and neither was more than 10% contained.[51] Smoke blanketed the Seattle area on September 8 and caused unhealthy air conditions throughout the Puget Sound region, and affected Southwest British Columbia.[52][53]
On September 8, 2020, in Salem, Oregon, dark red skies as a result of smoke were visible beginning in the late morning. On September 9, 2020, San Francisco and Eureka, California were similarly affected, with dark orange skies reported.
The cities of Phoenix and Talent in Oregon were substantially destroyed by the Almeda Drive Fire. State-wide, at least 23 people have been killed.[54][55] On September 11, authorities said they were preparing for a mass fatality incident.[56] As of September 11, 600 homes and 100 commercial buildings have been destroyed by the Almeda Drive Fire.[57] Officials stated that the Almeda Drive Fire was human-caused.[57] On September 11, a man was arrested for arson, for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed multiple homes in Phoenix and merged with the Almeda Drive Fire.[58] A separate criminal investigation into the origin point of the Almeda Drive Fire in Ashland is ongoing.[58]
Around September 11–12, wildfires were starting to encroach upon the Clackamas County suburbs of Portland, Oregon, especially the fast-moving Riverside Fire which had already jumped the nearby community of Estacada, but shifting wind directions kept the fire away from the main Portland area.[59]
Through much of September, at least 8 large wildfires, each of 100,000 acres (400 km2) or more, were burning in Washington and Oregon, with 3 in Washington and 5 in Oregon. This was unprecedented for those two states, which combined only saw a total of 26 large fires from 1997 to 2019.[60] On September 22, 10 large fires, each of at least 100,000 acres, were burning across California, including 5 of the 10 largest wildfires in the state's history.[61]
Evacuations
[edit]The first evacuations began on September 4, when almost 200 people were airlifted out of the Sierra National Forest due to the rapidly exploding Creek Fire. Then on September 9, most of the southern area of the city of Medford, Oregon was forced to evacuate and almost all of the 80,000 residents living in the city were told to be ready if necessary[62] because of the uncontained Almeda Drive Fire, which was fast encroaching on their city.[63][64] As of September 11, about 40,000 people in Oregon had been instructed to evacuate, and 500,000, accounting for about 10% of the state's population, had received instructions to prepare for evacuation, being under a Level 1, 2, or 3 fire evacuation alert.[65][66]
List of wildfires
[edit]The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (405 ha) or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Interstate 5 | Kings County, California | 2,060 | May 3 | May 7 | [67] | |
PCMS Complex | Las Animas County, Colorado | 2,175 | May 16 | May 21 | Unknown Cause | [68] |
Cherry Canyon | Las Animas County, Colorado | 11,818 | May 20 | May 27 | Lightning-Caused | [69] |
Range | San Luis Obispo County, California | 5,000 | May 27 | May 28 | [70] | |
Tabby Canyon | Tooele County, Utah | 13,378 | May 30 | June 2 | Caused by exploding target. Merged with North Stansbury Fire on June 1 at 6,848.8 acres. | [71] |
Scorpion | Santa Barbara County, California | 1,395 | May 31 | June 1 | [72] | |
Bighorn | Pima County, Arizona | 119,987 | June 5 | July 23 | Burned on the Santa Catalina Mountains | [73] |
Quail | Solano County, California | 1,837 | June 6 | June 10 | 3 structures destroyed | [74][75] |
Farm Camp | San Miguel County, New Mexico | 22,872 | June 6 | June 14 | Lightning-Caused | [76] |
Tadpole | Grant County, New Mexico | 11,159 | June 6 | July 17 | Lightning-Caused | [77] |
Wood | San Diego County, California | 11,000 | June 8 | June 12 | Burned on Camp Pendleton | [78] |
India | San Diego County, California | 1,100 | June 8 | June 14 | Burned on Camp Pendleton | [79] |
Mangum | Coconino County, Arizona | 71,450 | June 8 | July 7 | Burned in the Kaibab National Forest | [80] |
Soda | San Luis Obispo County, California | 1,672 | June 10 | June 11 | 2 structures destroyed | [81][82] |
Grant | Sacramento County, California | 5,042 | June 12 | June 17 | 1 structure damaged | [83] |
Bush | Gila County, Maricopa County, Arizona | 193,455 | June 13 | July 6 | Human-Caused | [84] |
East Canyon | La Plata County, Montezuma County, Colorado | 2,905 | June 14 | June 27 | Lightning-Caused | [85] |
Vics Peak | Socorro County, New Mexico | 14,624 | June 15 | August 4 | Lightning-Caused;burned in the Apache Kid Wilderness | [86] |
Walker | Calaveras County, California | 1,455 | June 16 | June 20 | 2 structures destroyed | [87] |
Grade | Tulare County, California | 1,050 | June 22 | June 26 | [88] | |
Brown | White Pine County, Nevada | 8,268 | June 24 | June 30 | The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation | [89] |
Poeville | Washoe County, Nevada | 2,975 | June 26 | July 6 | Led to evacuation of portions of the City of Reno | [90] |
Wood Springs 2 | Apache County, Arizona | 12,861 | June 27 | July 11 | Lightning-Caused; 7 structures destroyed on the Navajo Nation | [91] |
Canal | Millard County, Juab County, Utah | 78,065 | June 27 | July 13 | Lightning-Caused; destroyed 34 structures; 100% contained on June 27 but escaped containment due to strong winds | [92] |
Pass | Merced County, California | 2,192 | June 28 | June 30 | [93] | |
Bena | Kern County, California | 2,900 | July 1 | July 3 | [94] | |
Polles | Gila County, Arizona | 628 | July 3 | July 23 | Lightning-Caused; a helicopter supporting firefighting efforts crashed on July 7, taking the life of pilot Bryan Boatman.The incident is under investigation. | [95][96] |
Crews | Santa Clara County, California | 5,513 | July 5 | July 13 | 1 structure destroyed; 1 damaged; 1 injury. Resulted in evacuations of rural Gilroy. | [97] |
Soledad | Los Angeles County, California | 1,525 | July 5 | July 15 | 1 injury | [98] |
Numbers | Douglas County, Nevada | 18,380 | July 6 | July 14 | 40 buildings destroyed | [99] |
Mineral | Fresno County, California | 29,667 | July 13 | July 26 | 7 structures destroyed | [100][101] |
Coyote | San Benito County, California | 1,508 | July 15 | July 18 | [102] | |
Hog | Lassen County, California | 9,564 | July 18 | August 8 | 2 structures destroyed | [103] |
Gold | Lassen County, California | 22,634 | July 20 | August 8 | 13 structures destroyed; 5 structures damaged; 2 firefighters injured in burnover | [104] |
July Complex 2020 | Modoc County, Siskiyou County, California | 83,261 | July 22 | August 7 | 1 structure destroyed; 3 outbuildings destroyed | [105] |
Blue Jay | Mariposa County, Tuolumne County, California | 6,922 | July 24 | November 19 | Lightning-sparked | [106] |
Red Salmon Complex | Humboldt County, Siskiyou County, Trinity County, California | 144,698 | July 26 | November 23 | Originally started as both the Red and Salmon fire (both started by lightning strikes), but have since merged into one fire | [107][108] |
Chikamin | Chelan County, Washington | 1,685 | July 31 | September 24 | [109] | |
Apple | Riverside County, California | 33,424 | July 31 | November 16, 2020 | 4 structures destroyed; 8 outbuildings destroyed; 4 injuries | [110] |
Pond | San Luis Obispo County, California | 1,962 | August 1 | August 8 | 1 structure destroyed; 1 damaged; 13 outbuildings destroyed[111] | [112] |
North | Lassen County, California | 6,882 | August 2 | August 10 | 6,882 acres in total, of which approximately 4,105 acres burned in Washoe County, Nevada | [113] |
Stagecoach | Kern County, California | 7,760 | August 3 | August 16 | 23 structures destroyed; 4 damaged; 25 outbuildings destroyed; 2 damaged;[114] 1 firefighter fatality[115] | [116] |
Neals Hill | Harney County, Oregon | 3,391 | August 5 | August 20 | Caused by lightning | [117][118] |
Bumble Bee | Yavapai County, Arizona | 2,993 | August 7 | August 12 | Human-Caused | [119] |
Wolf | Mariposa County, Tuolumne County, California | 2,057 | August 11 | November 19 | Lightning-sparked | [120] |
Lake | Los Angeles County, California | 31,089 | August 12 | October 5 | Lightning-sparked, 33 structures destroyed; 6 damaged; 21 outbuildings destroyed; 2 injuries | [121][122] |
Ranch 2 | Los Angeles County, California | 4,237 | August 13 | October 5 | Lightning-sparked | [123] |
Hills | Fresno County, California | 2,121 | August 15 | August 24 | Lightning-sparked; 1 fatality | [124] |
Loyalton | Lassen County, Plumas County, Sierra County, California | 47,029 | August 15 | September 14 | Lightning-sparked, Caused National Weather Service to issue first ever Fire Tornado Warning; 5 homes, 6 outbuildings destroyed | [125][126] |
Beach | Mono County, California | 3,780 | August 16 | August 28 | Lightning-sparked | [127] |
Frog | Crook County, Oregon | 4,020 | August 16 | September 1 | Caused by lightning | [128] |
Green Ridge | Deschutes County, Oregon | 4,338 | August 16 | September 1 | Caused by lightning | [129] |
River | Monterey County, California | 48,088 | August 16 | September 4 | Lightning-sparked; 30 structures destroyed; 13 structures damaged; 4 injuries | [130] |
Dome | San Bernardino County, California | 43,273 | August 16 | September 14 | Lightning-sparked, Burned in the Mojave National Preserve | [131] |
Indian Creek | Malheur County, Oregon | 48,128 | August 16 | September 16 | Caused by lightning | [132] |
CZU Lightning Complex | San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, California | 86,509 | August 16 | September 22 | Several lightning-sparked fires burning close together across San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties; 1,490 structures destroyed; 140 structures damaged; 1 injury; 1 fatality. | [133] |
SCU Lightning Complex | Santa Clara County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, Merced County, Stanislaus County, California | 396,624 | August 16 | October 1 | Deer Zone, Marsh, Canyon Zone and other surrounding fires combined into one multi-fire incident by CalFire; all believed to have been sparked by an intense and widespread lightning storm; 222 structures destroyed; 26 structures damaged; 6 injuries. It is the third-largest fire complex in California history. | [134] |
Beachie Creek | Linn County, Oregon | 193,573 | August 16 | October 28. Merged with the Lionshead Fire and became the Santiam Fire on September 8. | [135] | |
August Complex | Glenn County, Mendocino County, Lake County, Tehama County, Trinity County, California | 1,032,648 | August 16 | November 12 | Lightning strikes started 37 fires, several of which grew to large sizes, especially the Doe Fire; 935 structures destroyed; 2 firefighter injuries; 1 firefighter fatality. It became the largest fire complex in California history and combined with the Elkhorn Fire on September 10. | [136][137] |
Lionshead | Jefferson County, Oregon | 204,469 | August 16 | December 10. Merged into the Beachie Creek Fire and became the Santiam Fire on September 8. | [138] | |
Rattlesnake | Tulare County, California | 8,419 | August 16 | December 18 | Lightning sparked a slow-growing fire in inaccessible terrain. | [139] |
Downey Creek | Douglas County, Oregon | 2,570 | August 16 | December 31 | [140] | |
Jones | Nevada County, California | 705 | August 17 | August 28 | Lightning sparked, 21 structures destroyed, 3 structures damaged, 7 injuries | [141] |
Holser | Ventura County, California | 3,000 | August 17 | September 6 | [142] | |
Sheep | Plumas County, Lassen County, California | 29,570 | August 17 | September 9 | Lightning-sparked, 26 structures destroyed, 1 injury | [143][144] |
LNU Lightning Complex | Colusa County, Lake County, Napa County, Sonoma County, Solano County, Yolo County, California | 363,220 | August 17 | October 2 | Multi-fire incident that includes the Hennessey Fire (305,651 acres), the Walbridge Fire (55,209 acres), and the Meyers Fire (2,360 acres) sparked by lightning; 1,491 structures destroyed; 232 structures damaged; 5 injuries; 5 fatalities. It is the fourth-largest fire complex in California history. | [145] |
Butte/Tehama/Glenn Lightning Complex (Butte Zone) | Butte County, California | 19,609 | August 17 | October 17 | Lightning sparked 34 fires throughout Butte County; 14 structures destroyed; 1 structure damaged; 1 injury | [146] |
White River | Wasco County, Oregon | 17,383 | August 17 | October 20 | [147] | |
North Complex | Plumas County, Butte County, Yuba County, California | 318,935 | August 17 | December 4 | Lightning strikes, includes the Claremont Fire and the Bear Fire; 2,357 structures destroyed, 114 structures damaged; 15 fatalities; 2 injuries; It is the sixth-largest fire complex in California history. | [148][149] |
Salt | Calaveras County, California | 1,789 | August 18 | August 24 | Lightning-sparked | [150] |
Carmel | Monterey County, California | 6,905 | August 18 | September 4 | Lightning-sparked, 73 structures destroyed; 7 structures damaged | [151] |
W-5 Cold Springs | Lassen County, Modoc County, California | 84,817 | August 18 | September 14 | Lightning-sparked. Fire spread eastward into Washoe County, Nevada. | [152] |
Palmer | Okanogan County, Washington | 17,988 | August 18 | December 1 | [153] | |
Laurel | Wheeler County, Oregon | 1,257 | August 19 | September 14 | [154] | |
Woodward | Marin County, California | 4,929 | August 18 | October 1 | Lightning-sparked | [155] |
Dolan | Monterey County, California | 124,924 | August 18 | December 31 | Cause not officially determined; however, a suspect was charged with arson in connection to the fire[156] | [157] |
SQF Complex | Tulare County, California | 174,178 | August 19 | January 5 | Lightning-sparked, contains the Castle Fire and the Shotgun Fire | [158] |
Moc | Tuolumne County, California | 2,857 | August 20 | August 30 | Lightning-sparked | [159] |
East Fork | Duchesne County, Utah | 89,765 | August 21 | November 5 | Lightning-Caused; destroyed 11 structures and merged with the Phinney Lake fire at 10,040 acres | [160] |
Moraine | Tulare County, California | 1,316 | August 21 | December 18 | Lightning-sparked | [161] |
Slink | Mono County, California | 26,759 | August 29 | November 8 | Lightning-sparked | [162] |
Evans Canyon | Kittitas County, Washington | 75,817 | August 31 | October 31 | [163] | |
Creek | Fresno County, Madera County, California | 379,895 | September 4 | December 24 | 853 structures destroyed, 64 structures damaged; 29 injuries; 1 fatality | [164][165][166] |
Valley | San Diego County, California | 16,390 | September 5 | September 24 | 51 structures destroyed, 11 structures damaged, 2 injuries | [167] |
El Dorado | Riverside County, San Bernardino County, California | 22,744 | September 5 | November 18 | Sparked by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party. 20 structures destroyed, 4 structures damaged; 13 injuries, 1 fatality | [168][169] |
Cold Springs | Okanogan County, Washington | 189,923 | September 6 | September 30 | 1 fatality | [170][171] |
Bobcat | Los Angeles County, California | 115,796 | September 6 | October 19 | Unknown cause, 170 structures destroyed, 47 structures damaged; 6 Injuries | [172] |
Oak | Mendocino County, California | 1,100 | September 7 | September 14 | Unknown cause, 25 structures destroyed, 20 structures damaged | [173] |
P-515 | Jefferson County, Oregon | 4,609 | September 7 | December 10. Merged into the Lionshead Fire on September 8. | [174] | |
Slater/Devil | Siskiyou County, Del Norte County, California, Josephine County, Oregon | 157,229 | September 7 | November 16 | 2 fatalities, 1 structure destroyed | [175][176] |
Two Four Two | Klamath County, Oregon | 14,473 | September 7 | October 31 | [177] | |
Brattain | Lake County, Oregon | 50,951 | September 7 | October 31 | [178] | |
Holiday Farm | Lane County, Oregon | 173,393 | September 7 | October 31 | 1 fatality | [179] |
Echo Mountain Complex | Lincoln County, Oregon | 2,552 | September 7 | October 27 | 293 structures destroyed, 22 structures damaged | [180] |
Babb-Maiden/Manning | Spokane County, Washington | 18,254 | September 7 | December 15 | [181] | |
Whitney | Lincoln County, Washington | 127,430 | September 7 | December 18 | [182] | |
Inchelium Complex | Ferry County, Washington | 19,399 | September 7 | September 28 | [183] | |
Pearl Hill | Douglas County, Washington | 223,730 | September 7 | December 15 | Started when the Cold Springs fire jumped the Columbia River, then spread quickly due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Destroyed 25 residences and 35 other structures. | [184][185] |
Apple Acres | Chelan County, Washington | 5,500 | September 7 | December 15 | [186] | |
Fork | El Dorado County, California | 1,673 | September 8 | November 9 | [187] | |
South Obenchain | Jackson County, Oregon | 32,671 | September 8 | October 31 | [188] | |
Riverside | Clackamas County, Oregon | 138,054 | September 8 | December 3 | [189] | |
Santiam | Clackamas County, Jefferson County, Linn County, Marion County, Wasco County, Oregon | 402,592 | September 8 | December 10 | Includes the Lionshead, Beachie Creek, and P-515 Fires, which merged. 1568+ structures destroyed, 5 deaths | [190][174][191] |
Big Hollow | Skamania County, Washington | 24,995 | September 8 | December 1 | [192] | |
Almeda Drive | Jackson County, Oregon | 3,200 | September 8 | September 15[193] | 2457+ structures destroyed, 3 fatalities | [194][195][57][58] |
Chehalem Mountain- Bald Peak | Washington County, Oregon | 2,000 | September 8 | September 14 | [196][197][198][199][200] | |
Thielsen | Douglas County, Oregon | 9,975 | September 9 | November 16 | [201] | |
Willow | Yuba County, California | 1,311 | September 9 | September 14 | 41 structures destroyed; 10 structures damaged | [202] |
Archie Creek | Douglas County, Oregon | 131,542 | September 9 | November 16 | [203] | |
Bullfrog | Fresno County, California | 1,185 | September 9 | November 9 | [204] | |
Fox | Trinity County, California | 2,188 | September 14 | November 1 | [205] | |
Snow | Riverside County, California | 6,254 | September 17 | November 18 | [206] | |
Glass | Napa County, California Sonoma County, California | 67,484 | September 28 | October 21 | 1,555 structures destroyed, 282 structures damaged | [207] |
Zogg | Shasta County, California | 56,338 | September 28 | October 13 | 204 structures destroyed, 27 structures damaged; 1 injury, 4 fatalities | [208] |
Range | Utah County, Utah | 3,496 | October 17 | November 11 | Human-Caused (Cause: Police Target Shooting) | [209] |
Silverado | Orange County, California | 12,466 | October 26 | November 7 | 5 structures destroyed, 9 structures damaged; 2 injuries | [210] |
Blue Ridge | Orange County, California | 13,694 | October 26 | November 7 | 1 structure destroyed, 10 structures damaged | [211] |
Laura 2 | Orange County, California | 2,800 | November 17 | November 24 | 40 structures destroyed | [212] |
Mountain View | Mono County, California | 20,385 | November 17 | November 27 | 90 structures destroyed, 8 damaged; 1 fatality | [213][214] |
Airport | Riverside County, California | 1,087 | December 1 | December 12 | [215] | |
Bond | Orange County, California | 6,686 | December 2 | December 10 | Started by a house fire; 31 structures destroyed; 21 structures damaged; 2 firefighter injuries | [216][217][218][219][220] |
Sanderson | Riverside County, California | 1,933 | December 13 | December 14 | [221] | |
Creek 5 | San Diego County, California | 4,276 | December 23 | December 31 | Unknown cause; over 7,000 people evacuated from housing areas on Camp Pendleton | [222][223] |
Causes
[edit]Fire policy
[edit]Prior to development, California fires regularly burned significantly more acreage than in recent history. Wildfires have been aggressively suppressed in the last century, resulting in a buildup of fuel, increasing the risk of large uncontrollable fires. There is broad scientific consensus that there should be more controlled burning of forest in California in order to reduce fire risk.[224][225][226] Controlled burning is hampered by wildfire litigation models that present wildfires in court cases as the result of careless ignition events while discounting underlying forest conditions.[227][228] A 2020 ProPublica investigation blamed the culture of Cal Fire, greed on the part of fire suppression contractors, and risk aversion on the part of the U.S. Forest Service from preventing appropriate controlled burns from taking place.[229]
Climate change
[edit]Climate change has led to increased heat waves and the risk of drought in California, creating the conditions for more frequent and severe wildfires.[233][234] It has been observed that since the early 1970s, warm-season days in California warmed by ca. 1.4 °C. This significantly increases the atmospheric vapor pressure deficit, the difference between the actual and a maximum moisture content for a certain temperature. Trends simulated by climate models are consistent with human-induced trends. Summer forest-fire area reacts to the vapor pressure deficit exponentially, i.e., warming has grown increasingly impactful.[234]
David Romps, director of the Berkeley Atmospheric Sciences Center summarizes the situation as follows: "To cut to the chase: Were the heat wave and the lightning strikes and the dryness of the vegetation affected by global warming? Absolutely yes. Were they made significantly hotter, more numerous, and drier because of global warming? Yes, likely yes, and yes."[235] Similarly, Friederike Otto, acting director of the University of Oxford Environmental Change Institute states, "There is absolutely no doubt that the extremely high temperatures are higher than they would have been without human-induced climate change. A huge body of attribution literature demonstrates now that climate change is an absolute game-changer when it comes to heat waves, and California won't be the exception."[236] Susan Clark, director of the Sustainability Initiative at the University at Buffalo, states, "This is climate change. This increased intensity and frequency of temperatures and heat waves are part of the projections for the future. [...] There is going to be more morbidity and mortality [from heat.] There are going to be more extremes."[236]
Arson
[edit]In August 2020, a suspect was charged by the Monterey County Sheriff with arson relating to the Dolan Fire; however, this has not been officially determined as the cause of the fire.[237][238] In April 2021, another suspect, already arrested and charged for the murder of a woman, was charged with arson relating to the Markley Fire, one of the wildfires involving in the LNU Lightning Complex fires; according to authorities, the fire was set to cover up the aforementioned murder.[239] Arson has also been suspected as the cause of the Ranch 2 Fire in Los Angeles County.[citation needed]
Obstacles to fire control
[edit]Rumors about political extremist involvement
[edit]In Oregon, rumors spread that Antifa activists allegedly involved in arson and rioting accompanying the nearby George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon, were deliberately setting fires and were preparing to loot property that was being evacuated. Some residents refused to evacuate based on the rumors. Authorities urged residents to ignore the rumors and follow evacuation orders, noting that firefighters' lives could be endangered rescuing those who remained.[240] QAnon followers participated in spreading the rumors, with one claim that six antifa activists had been arrested for setting fires specifically amplified by "Q", the anonymous person or people behind QAnon.[241][242]
False rumors also circulated that members of far-right groups such as the Proud Boys had started some of the fires. However, authorities labelled the claims as false, saying that people needed to question claims they found on social media.[243]
There have been a number of arrests for arson surrounding the wildfires, but there is no indication that the incidents were connected to a mass arson campaign, according to multiple law enforcement officers.[244][245][246] For example, a man allegedly set fires in Glide, Oregon, after a Douglas Forest Protection Association member refused to give him a ride to town.[246]
COVID-19 pandemic
[edit]The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges for firefighters fighting wildfires due to measures intended to reduce the transmission of the disease. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) implemented new protocols such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing while resting, and reducing the number of occupants in the pickup trucks used to transport firefighters.[247]
California relies heavily on inmate firefighters, with incarcerated people making up nearly a quarter of CAL FIRE's total workforce in 2018–2019.[248] Coronavirus measures within the prison system, such as early release and quarantine policies, have reduced the number of inmate firefighters available, necessitating the hiring of additional seasonal firefighters.[249]
Impacts
[edit]Fire
[edit]In Oregon, wildfires throughout the whole year, with most occurring in September, charred a record of 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km2), destroying a total of 4,800 structures, including 1,145 homes, and killing 9 people. The towns of Phoenix and Talent were mostly destroyed in the Almeda fire on September 8.[250] In Washington, 2020 wildfires burned 800,000 acres (3,200 km2), with 418 structures, including 195 homes, burned. In California, about 3,300,000 acres (13,000 km2) burned from wildfires in 2020, the highest burned acreage ever recorded in a fire season. About 2,100,000 acres (8,500 km2) burned in the August lighting wildfires and 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km2) more in September.[251] 4,200 structures were destroyed the whole year in California, and 25 people were killed.[252]
Smoke and air pollution
[edit]The fires resulted in worsened air pollution across much of the western U.S. and Canada, from Los Angeles to British Columbia. Alaska Airlines suspended its flights from Portland, Oregon, and Spokane, Washington, due to poor air quality.[253] Some cities in Oregon recorded air quality readings of over 500 on the AQI scale, while readings of over 200 were recorded in major cities.[254] Smoke from the fires were carried to the East Coast and Europe, causing yellowed skies but having little impact on air quality.[255]
The heavy smoke had resulted in several smoke-related incidents. In California, for example, a San Francisco resident was hiking through Yosemite National Park on September 5 when suddenly the sky turned a dark, ugly color and the temperature dropped greatly, reminiscent of a thunderstorm. Ash and smoke started falling, and this erratic weather was caused by the nearby Creek Fire.[256] In another incident, on September 14, an Oakland A's player was at a game at the Seattle Mariners' stadium, when suddenly in the middle of the game he started gasping for air.[257]
It is estimated that as many as 1,200 to 3,000 indirect deaths have been caused by the adverse effects of smoke inhalation.[6]
Red skies appeared over many cities over the West Coast, including on Orange Skies Day, due to smoke from the wildfires blocking lighter colors, created from light infraction.[258] Due to the complex oxidative chemistry occurring during the transport of wildfire smoke in the atmosphere,[259] the toxicity of emissions was suggested to increase over time.[260][261]
-
Smoke from the North Complex Fire settles over San Francisco, turning the midday sky a dark orange on September 9
-
Smoke over Portland, Oregon on September 9
-
Air pollution obscuring the skyline of Seattle, Washington on September 11
-
Haze in the upper atmosphere of New York City on September 16
Ecological effects
[edit]The unique sagebrush scrub habitat of the Columbia Basin in Washington was heavily affected by the fires, devastating populations of the endemic Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit and endangered, isolated populations of greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. About half of the pygmy rabbit population and over 30-70% of the grouse population may have been lost to the fires, reversing decades of conservation work. Aside from climate change, the spread of the fires may have been assisted by the intrusion of invasive cheatgrass into the habitats. Fires in old-growth forests of Oregon may negatively affect the populations of the endangered northern spotted owl and pine marten, and the resulting ash from the fires may be washed into streams and threaten endangered salmon.[262][263] Climate change also reduces the likelihood of forests re-establishing themselves after a fire.[264]
The Cassia Crossbill may lose half its population due to the pending consequences of the wildfires, one of which engulfed a large portion of the South Hills, one of the only two strongholds for the bird.[265]
See also
[edit]Other wildfires
[edit]- 2020 wildfire season
- 2020 Brazil rainforest wildfires
- 2019–20 Australian bushfire season
- 2019 Amazon rainforest wildfires
- 2019 Siberia wildfires
- List of California wildfires
General
[edit]- 2020 in the environment and environmental sciences
- Emergency evacuation procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Events". National Centers for Environmental Information. December 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h 2020 National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report (PDF). Geographic Area Coordination Center (Report). National Interagency Fire Center. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ "Fire Statistics". CAL FIRE. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Officials identify pilot who died in helicopter crash while responding to Polles Fire". azcentral.com. Helena Wegner, Audrey Jensen, Perry Vandell. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Reviewing the horrid global 2020 wildfire season". yaleclimateconnections.org. Jeff Masters. January 4, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "'Hidden cost' of wildfire smoke: Stanford researchers estimate up to 3,000 indirect deaths". September 25, 2020.
- ^ Freedman, Andrew (September 11, 2020). "Western wildfires: An 'unprecedented' climate change fueled event, experts say". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ Bacon, Duvernay; Bacon, John (September 14, 2020). "'I could never have envisioned this': At least 35 dead as nearly 100 wildfires continue to rage across 12 Western states". USA Today. Microsoft News. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ "Historic Wildfires Rage in Western States". The New York Times. September 10, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ Is climate change worsening California fires, or is it poor forest management? Both, experts say Archived September 14, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved: September 14, 2020.
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Climatically, there are fire-prone ecosystems on nearly every continent that evolved natural fire regimes regionally (Bond et al. 2005). Within many of the fire-prone ecosystems, Indigenous adaptations for burning and resultant cultural fire regimes, as coupled socio-ecological systems, reflected their need to "learn to live with fire" (Spies et al. 2014; McWethy et al 2013). Spatially, Indigenous fire stewardship practices had the highest influence around settlements, their wildland-urban interface (e.g., permanent villages, seasonal camps) and travel corridors (i.e., trails and roads) that linked with more intensively managed habitats containing food, material-fiber/basketry, wildlife/prey, and other desired resources (Turner et al. 2003). Frequent and diversified Indigenous burning coupled with natural ignitions reduced fuel loading, which often lowered the intensity and resultant severity of subsequent fires. As such, burning increased the proportion of fire-adapted vegetation (biodiversity) and heterogeneous habitats (mosaics) which greatly reduced the threat of and impacts of non-desired wildfires (Mistry et al. 2016). ... Indigenous knowledge is the broader aspects of individual, family, and community's cultural learning, understanding, and beliefs regarding metaphysical and biophysical relationships of people and their environment. Such knowledge encompasses a wide range of historical and contemporary relationships Indigenous peoples have with the world - including fire. / In Indigenous cultures, resilience is considered as a holistic concept - everything is related (Berkes and Ross 2003; Turner et al. 2003). Indigenous peoples believe they have a responsibility passed down from their Creator to be stewards of the land. In relation to wildland fire - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are tied to the health of the Earth. Many Indigenous cultures cannot be resilient without a healthy landscape to exercise cultural fire-related practices on.
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Scholars have noted parallel experiences of Indigenous groups when they came into contact with European conquerors. Bans on burning came into force in both Australia and California after colonization, and natives were punished if they persisted in burning. This attitude toward fire was later manifested in public admonitions such as the Smokey Bear campaigns warning against setting wildfires. For more than a century, the policy of the United States has been to "eliminate every fire", said Leaf Hillman, a member of the Karuk tribe who is active in fire activities. "It's catching up with us now and we are paying the price for it."
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External links
[edit]- Current fire information Archived December 14, 2017, at the Wayback Machine—California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
- SDSC WiFire Interactive Map—San Diego Supercomputer Center
- Active Fire map of United States at nwcg.gov
- Washington wildfires, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- 2020 wildfires in the United States
- Wildfires in California
- Wildfires in Oregon
- Wildfires in Washington (state)
- Wildfires in Arizona
- Wildfires in Utah
- Wildfires in Montana
- 2020 California wildfires
- Effects of climate change
- Lists of wildfires in the United States
- Wildfires in California by year
- 2020 in Oregon
- 2020 Oregon wildfires
- 2020 Washington (state) wildfires
- 2020 in Washington (state)
- 2020 disasters in Canada
- 2020 in British Columbia