Calif. Fires Tax State's Firefighting Resources

According to catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide, California is in the midst of battling hundreds of three-week old wildfires that are exhausting state firefighting resources.

Though crews have made some progress containing almost 1,500 of the blazes that ignited since June 20th, 322 wildfires still burn. The fires have destroyed 100 homes and 117 other structures, and consumed more than 725,000 acres.[1] Nearly 14,000 homes and 3,000 other structures remain threatened in California.

High winds, a sudden drop in humidity and triple-digit, record-high temperatures in California have hampered firefighting efforts. This weather—expected to persist throughout the weekend—exacerbates already dangerous conditions left over from California’s driest spring since 1894. Two high-profile fires, the Gap Fire and the Basin Complex Fire, have been significantly contained.

“The Gap Fire (Los Padres National Forest) expanded dramatically last week, growing from 200 acres to more than 2,400 overnight, and then spreading across 9,443 acres by Sunday,” said Scott Stransky, research analyst at AIR Worldwide. “This week, however, it has moved much slower—consuming only about 200 acres. The fire was contained to 55% as of Thursday, up from 30% previously, and it threatens just 251 homes now. On the coast, hundreds of people returned to their homes after firefighters pushed back the nearly 100,000-acre Basin Complex Fire threatening Big Sur. Though relatively large in terms of acreage, the fire destroyed just 26 homes. It is currently contained to 41%—up from 11% at the end of last week.” Attempts are being made to asses damaged homes.

Winds were light last night, but they are expected to be quite gusty today, and temperatures are expected to soar to record highs. These conditions will spread burning embers and make firefighting difficult. Throughout northern and central parts of California, highways and local roads have been closed, and sections of six counties are under orders to evacuate.

The most threatening fire burns in Butte County, near the Central Valley town of Paradise. On Tuesday, the blaze’s progress prompted officials to evacuate 10,000 people. By the following day, winds caused the fire to jump a fire line and destroy 50 homes; it continues to threaten nearly 4,000 more. Residents still in the area remain on evacuation alert. The fire—one of about 40 lightning-sparked wildfires in the county—is 45% contained as of Thursday, but is expected to spread due to high wind and high temperatures.

Meanwhile, in Washington State, high winds gusting up to 50 mph fanned a wildfire that ignited Thursday in a wooded part of the Spokane Valley. The fire forced 200 residents to evacuate, consumed 1,200 acres, burned 4 homes, and threatens dozens more. The fire remains out of control.

[1] By comparison, during last fall’s “Siege of 2007” in California, only 500,000 acres were scorched. However, despite consuming less acreage, last year’s siege destroyed substantially more residences—over 2,200.