California

'A fire year': California wildfires have burned more than 20 times as much land as last year

Published

6 months ago

July 12, 2024

'A fire year': California wildfires have burned more than 20 times as much land as last year

After a wet winter and hot summer, this year’s fire season is off to a fierce start. Here’s the latest to date, including the largest fires burning in California.

So far, more than 3,500 wildfires have eaten up at least 219,247 acres across the state, according to California fire officials. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, dozens of structures have been damaged or destroyed, and officials say at least one person has died.

“We are not just in a fire season, but we are in a fire year,” Joe Tyler, the head of Cal Fire, told reporters this week at a news conference.

400% more acres burned

The number of fires is only slightly higher than this time last year, but state data show that the acreage burned is more than 20 times greater. By this point in 2023, just over 3,000 blazes had consumed 10,398 acres. According to David Acuna, a Cal Fire battalion chief, the longer-term trends are similarly alarming.

“If you look at the five-year average, we are slightly below on the number of fires,” Acuna told The Times, “but we are more than 400% greater in acres burned.”

In part, that’s because it’s been such a scorching summer, with an oppressive heat wave shattering temperature records across the West. But Acuna said it’s also because the last two fire seasons were relatively mild, and the winter and spring were wetter than usual — factors that combined to leave behind more layers of dried vegetation to fuel flames.

“With the hotter weather and the wind events,” Acuna said, “all of those added together for a much faster moving, much more vigorous fire season.”

This week, the Mina fire in the northwestern part of the state may have claimed California’s first wildfire-related fatality for the season, Acuna said. According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, firefighters near Covelo found human remains inside a structure that had been engulfed by flames a day earlier after a burn pile got out of control and started the wildfire. The official cause of death is pending.

By midday Thursday, the Mina fire had burned through 98 acres of timber and was 50% contained.

Lake and Vista fires grow

Meanwhile, the Lake fire — the state’s largest active blaze as of Thursday evening — continued to burn in Santa Barbara County with 16% containment. The fire began on July 5 and quickly chewed through more than 21,000 acres over the weekend as firefighters on the ground struggled to reach the flames due to the enduring heat and challenging terrain.

A handful of buildings and campgrounds in Los Padres National Forest were damaged or destroyed, and at one point the fire came within a mile of Sycamore Valley Ranch — the former Neverland Ranch, owned by Michael Jackson — which fell inside the evacuation zone. By Thursday, the fire had destroyed more than 34,000 acres, and 3,044 fire personnel were fighting the blaze.

Closer to Los Angeles, the Vista fire continued to burn in the San Bernardino National Forest on Thursday, covering more than 2,700 acres as of morning, officials said. The blaze ignited Sunday around 1 p.m. on the south side of Lytle Creek and soon threatened the iconic Mt. Baldy area, including its nearly 100-year-old resort. Portions of the Pacific Crest Trail were closed, in addition to trails below the resort.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from nearby recreational areas, and an estimated 416 structures were threatened by the flames, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials said the fire almost doubled in size overnight from Wednesday into Thursday, with fire crews working to build containment and contingency lines.

By midday Thursday, firefighters reported 0% containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Other large blazes in the state include the Basin fire in Fresno County — which was more than 90% contained after scorching just over 14,000 acres — and the Shelly fire, which injured one person and burned more than 9,800 acres in the Marble Mountain Wilderness. State fire officials said it was 1% contained by Thursday evening.

Current wildfires

The active wildfire incidents in the state as of Thursday evening included:

Despite the rough start to the season, Acuna said predictions for the future are difficult. Last year seemed set for a heavy fire season until a tropical storm inundated parts of the state in August.

“That changed everything, which is why we did not have a lot of acres burn last year,” Acuna said. “But for us to already be at the high number of acres [burned] this year, that is very unusual.”

Heat to subside slightly

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Sirard, there could at least be a slight reprieve ahead when it comes to the heat in Los Angeles and to the north. There are still excessive heat warnings in place for the mountains, interior valleys and deserts in the region through Saturday evening. But by the end of the weekend, the heat wave is expected to move slightly east, and temperatures will be only a few degrees above normal next week across the region.

When it comes to the fire outlook, Sirard said one potentially aggravating factor is the slight chance of a thunderstorm Friday in Santa Barbara County. He warned that could create winds as well as the possibility of dry lightning that would make for hazardous conditions in the vicinity of the Lake fire.

State fire officials track all fire incidents of more than 10 acres publicly on the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website, which details evacuation warnings and orders. Fire prevention and preparation tips are available at ReadyForWildfire.org.

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California

Where are mandatory evacuation orders in place for California wildfires? See maps

Published

5 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Where are mandatory evacuation orders in place for California wildfires? See maps

Mandatory evacuation orders remained in effect Thursday morning as wildfires continued to rage across parts of Southern California.

The deadly fires broke out this week and have destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone. As of Thursday morning, at least five deaths had been confirmed, and nearly 250,000 were without power in the region, according to the USA TODAY power outage tracker.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency this week as more than 100,000 people have been forced to flee homes and evacuate the area.

The fires − Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset − have burned thousands of acres and continue to spread due to humidity and dry vegetation, authorities said. Before the fires started, the National Weather Service issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

As of Thursday morning, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, and Sunset fires were at zero containment, while firefighters had contained 10% of the Hurst Fire and 40% of the Lidia Fire.

Here’s where evacuation orders are in place for California and how to stay up-to-date on the latest.

Where are evacuation orders in place for the Palisades Fire?

Evacuation orders were in place from Malibu to Santa Monica, including Topanga State Park and stretching into the city as far south as Montana Avenue, as of just after 4:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, according to Cal Fire.

Wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour are expected to continue through Thursday in that area, CAL Fire reported online, “potentially aiding in further fire activity and suppression efforts.”

View an interactive map of Palisades Fire evacuation orders and warnings on the Cal Fire website.

Where are evacuation orders in place for the Hurst Fire?

Evacuation orders were in place for the San Fernando Valley, specifically at the Michael D. Antonovich Open Space Preserve, Stetson Ranch Park and Whitney Canyon Park, about 4:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation warnings were in place just north and south of the area.

View an interactive map of Hurst Fire evacuation orders and warnings on the Cal Fire website.

What are the evacuation orders in place for the Lidia Fire?

As of just after 4 a.m. local time on Thursday, no evacuation orders were in effect in connection to the Lidia Fire.

But Soledad Canyon Road between Agua Dulce Canyon Road and Crown Valley Road remained closed, CAL FIRE reported, as well as the entire Angeles National Forest for public safety and the protection of natural resources. The forest will remain closed through Jan. 15 at midnight.

View an interactive map of Lidia Fire on the Cal Fire website.

What are the evacuation orders in place for the Sunset Fire?

“The majority of the evacuation zone for the Sunset Fire is lifted with the exception of the area North of Franklin Ave from Camino Palmero St (East border) to North Sierra Bonita Ave. (West border)”, according to Cal Fire.

Where are evacuation orders in place for the Eaton Fire?

Evacuation orders were in place, as of about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, for areas near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, Altadena and Pasadena, Cal Fire reported.

Evacuation warnings were in place for areas just west and south of the area.

View an interactive map of Eaton Fire evacuation orders and warnings on the Cal Fire website.

Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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California

Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears on ‘Tonight Show’ over California wildfire ‘catastrophe’ near her home: ‘It’s f–king gnarly, guys’

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears on ‘Tonight Show’ over California wildfire ‘catastrophe’ near her home: ‘It’s f–king gnarly, guys’

Jamie Lee Curtis fought back tears as she detailed the “catastrophe” of the Palisades Fire near her California home when she appeared on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday.

“As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning. I flew here last night. I was on the plane and started getting texts. It’s f–king gnarly, you guys,” Curtis said.

“It’s a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously there has been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything.”

Curtis said she had “many, many, many” friends who have lost their homes in the devastation of the fires.

“It’s a really awful situation,” she added.

The 66-year-old added she was flying home first thing Thursday to be with her family and friends.

The Academy Award-winning actress, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Christopher Guest, took to Instagram earlier Wednesday to share with her followers that her home was “possibly” on fire.

“My community and possibly my home is on fire,” the actress wrote in the post. “My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.”

“Take care of each other,” she told her followers. “Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don’t, pray for those who do.”

Stay up to date with the NYP’s coverage of the terrifying LA-area fires

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The Emmy winner is one of tens of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes in Pacific Palisades and neighboring areas.

Four fires have exploded in Los Angeles County, taking over 27,000 acres of land with zero containment in the Palisades, Eaton and Sunset fires.

The Hurst Fire is 10 percent contained, officials announced.

The fires are being fueled by strong winds, “dry fuels” and low humidity.

The “Halloween” star isn’t the only Hollywood figure whose home is under threat due to the fires.

Harrison Ford was seen talking to police as he attempted to get through to check on his $12.6 million Brentwood home he had evacuated because of the raging blaze.

Ford’s “Star Wars” co-star Mark Hamill was forced to flee his Malibu home Tuesday as the fire bore down on the area.

The 73-year-old actor detailed his hour-long “last minute” evacuation from Malibu as he experienced the most horrific fire since 1993.

Other LA-based celebrities have been forced to evacuate their homes amid the crisis, including “This Is Us” star Mandy Moore, “Schitt’s Creek” star Eugene Levy and “Once Upon a Time in America” actor James Woods.

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California

Maps: See how large the California wildfires are

Published

20 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

Maps: See how large the California wildfires are

Multiple major wildfires are leaving a trail of destruction and death in the Los Angeles area.

A handful of wildfires kicked up Tuesday, powered by high winds and dry conditions , and have exploded in size. As of Tuesday afternoon, 2 people have been killed and more than 80,000 people have been evacuated.

Follow live coverage here.

The maps below show the size and status of the fires. They will be updated frequently.

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