California Wildphyres 2021
In 2021, California faced numerous wildfires, particularly during the late summer and early fall months. Below is a month-by-month breakdown of significant wildfires from August to December 2021:
August 2021
- Dixie Fire
Location: Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Tehama, and Shasta Counties
Acres Burned: Over 960,000
Structures Destroyed: 1,329
Start Date: July 13, 2021
Details: By August, the Dixie Fire had become the largest single (non-complex) wildfire in California’s history, causing extensive damage and leading to widespread evacuations. - Caldor Fire
Location: El Dorado and Amador Counties
Acres Burned: 221,835
Structures Destroyed: 1,003
Start Date: August 14, 2021
Details: Rapidly spreading, the Caldor Fire prompted evacuations in the Lake Tahoe Basin and destroyed numerous structures. - Antelope Fire
Location: Siskiyou County
Acres Burned: 145,632
Start Date: August 1, 2021
Details: Ignited by lightning, this fire affected the Klamath National Forest and surrounding areas.
September 2021
- Fawn Fire
Location: Shasta County
Acres Burned: Approximately 8,578
Structures Destroyed: 185
Start Date: September 22, 2021
Details: Allegedly human-caused, the Fawn Fire led to evacuations and property loss near Redding. - Windy Fire
Location: Tulare County
Acres Burned: Over 97,000
Start Date: September 9, 2021
Details: Burning in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, it threatened ancient sequoia groves.
October 2021
- Alisal Fire
Location: Santa Barbara County
Acres Burned: Approximately 16,970
Start Date: October 11, 2021
Details: The fire led to evacuations and the temporary closure of Highway 101.
November 2021
- Lava Fire
Location: Siskiyou County
Acres Burned: Approximately 26,409
Start Date: June 24, 2021
Details: While it began in June, containment efforts continued into November due to persistent hotspots.
December 2021
- Colorado Fire
Location: Monterey County
Acres Burned: Approximately 687
Start Date: December 23, 2021
Details: Unseasonal for December, this fire near Big Sur prompted evacuations and highlighted the year-round fire risk.
These incidents underscore the persistent wildfire challenges California faced throughout 2021, exacerbated by drought conditions and high temperatures.
