California Wildphyres 2020
In 2020, California experienced a series of devastating wildfires, particularly during the late summer and early fall months. Below is a month-by-month breakdown of significant wildfires from August to December 2020:
August 2020
- August Complex Fire
Location: Northern California (Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, Trinity, and Shasta Counties)
Acres Burned: Over 1,032,648
Start Date: August 16, 2020
Details: Originated from multiple lightning strikes; became the largest wildfire in California’s recorded history. - SCU Lightning Complex Fire
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay); Central Valley (Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Merced, Stanislaus Counties)
Acres Burned: Approximately 396,624
Start Date: August 16, 2020
Details: Consisted of multiple fires ignited by lightning; one of the largest wildfires in state history. - LNU Lightning Complex Fire
Location: Northern California (Colusa, Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo Counties)
Acres Burned: Approximately 363,220
Start Date: August 17, 2020
Details: Comprised multiple fires sparked by lightning; caused significant damage in wine country regions. - CZU Lightning Complex Fire
Location: San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties
Acres Burned: Approximately 86,509
Start Date: August 16, 2020
Details: Fires ignited by lightning; led to evacuations and destruction in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
September 2020
- Creek Fire
Location: Fresno and Madera Counties
Acres Burned: Approximately 379,895
Start Date: September 4, 2020
Details: Rapidly expanded, becoming one of the largest single wildfires in California; notable for creating massive pyrocumulonimbus clouds. - North Complex Fire
Location: Plumas and Butte Counties
Acres Burned: Approximately 318,935
Start Date: August 17, 2020
Details: Initially part of the August lightning events; caused significant destruction, including in the town of Berry Creek.
October 2020
- Glass Fire
Location: Napa and Sonoma Counties
Acres Burned: Approximately 67,484
Start Date: September 27, 2020
Details: Rapidly spread through wine country, destroying numerous structures, including wineries and homes. - Zogg Fire
Location: Shasta County
Acres Burned: Approximately 56,338
Start Date: September 27, 2020
Details: Resulted in multiple fatalities and significant property loss; cause under investigation.
November 2020
- Bond Fire
Location: Orange County
Acres Burned: Approximately 6,686
Start Date: December 2, 2020
Details: Started from a house fire and spread rapidly due to strong winds; led to evacuations in Silverado Canyon.
December 2020
- Creek Fire (Southern California)
Location: Los Angeles County
Acres Burned: Approximately 15,619
Start Date: December 4, 2020
Details: Ignited in the Angeles National Forest; prompted evacuations in the Lake Hughes area.
These wildfires were fueled by a combination of factors, including lightning storms, dry conditions, and strong winds, leading to one of the most destructive fire seasons in California’s history.
