Broadly, the National Park Service and USDA Forest Service refer to a complex as two or more fires located in the same vicinity, which can be assigned to a single incident commander or unified command. In other words, the term is used to collectively label clusters of wildfires in close proximity that may spread and lead to larger fires.
Full Answer
What are the LNU Lightning Complex Fires?
The LNU Lightning Complex fires were a large complex of wildfires that burned during the 2020 California wildfire season across much of the Wine Country area of Northern California – Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Yolo Counties, from August 17 to October 2, 2020.
How big is the SCU Lightning Complex Fire?
In just two days, the SCU Lightning Complex blazed its way through over 137,000 acres of land across five Bay Area counties — strikingly, more than last year’s Kincade Fire burned through in two weeks. However, a single wildfire isn't wholly responsible for the damage.
When will the KNP Complex Fire be 100% contained?
The two fires merged into one large fire on September 17, 2021, referred to as the KNP Complex. The fire was declared 100 percent contained on December 16, 2021, after significant precipitation events occurred across the Sierra Nevada.
How many fires are in the Carr Fire complex?
While the complex is made up of 20 separate fires, Cal Fire is working to contain all of them simultaneously. Here is a list of other commonly used terms from Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service that you may need to know:
What makes a fire complex?
When there are two or more wildfires burning close together in the same area, they are often called a “complex” and attacked by firefighters under a unified command.
What is an incident Complex fire?
Incident Complex: Two or more distinct incidents in the same general area that, by management action, are managed under a single incident commander or unified command in order to improve efficiency and simplify incident management processes.
Is the complex fire contained?
The Six Rivers Lightning Complex Fire has been active for nine days and is 17% contained, as of Monday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. So far, one structure has been destroyed, one damaged and two people have confirmed injuries. The cause is still under investigation.
What does KNP complex mean?
Cabin, Colony, and ParadiseThe fires are named the Cabin, Colony, and Paradise. September 11, 2021. As the fire grows, the Generals Highway from the Sequoia Entrance Station to Giant Forest is closed. The Colony and Paradise Fires are designated the KNP Complex.
What is an incident Complex?
An Incident Complex is two or more individual incidents in the same general proximity that are assigned to a single Incident Commander or Unified Command to manage.
What is a Type 5 fire incident?
Incident Descriptions. 1. Type 5 Incident. a) Resources required are local and typically vary from two to six firefighters. b) The incident is generally contained within the first burning period and often within a few hours after resources arrive on scene.
Why does California burn every year?
Rising temperatures, drought conditions, and dry vegetation are all contributing causes of wildfires in California, but the worsening impact of climate change is further exacerbating and prolonging the fire season in the state.
Where is the Yeti fire?
Klamath National ForestIncident Overview The Yeti Fire is burning on the Klamath National Forest in between the communities of Seiad and Happy Camp, California.
Is Sequoia still burning?
There is no current large fire threat within the boundaries of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Where was the Paradise fire?
Paradise Fire (2018), another name for the Camp Fire (2018) in Butte County, California. Paradise Fire (2021), a fire in north-central Kansas, that began on December 17, 2021 and burned about 400,000 acres. Two human lives were lost. The area has many farms and ranches, and a large number of cattle died.
What started Sequoia fire?
KNP Complex Lightning ignited three fires in Sequoia National Park on September 9, 2021.
Did the rain help the KNP fire?
The rain helped firefighters progress in their battle against the KNP Complex Fire in the Sequoia National Forest. SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (KFSN) -- The rain helped firefighters progress in their battle against the KNP Complex Fire in the Sequoia National Forest.
What communities have been at risk during the fire?
Communities that have been at risk at some point during the fire thus far include Wilsonia, Three Rivers, Mineral King, Silver City and Cabin Cove, Advance, Eshom, Hartland, Hume Lake, and employee residences within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Sequoia National Forest. Nearly all of these communities have been subject to evacuation warnings or evacuation orders, but the majority of these have been lifted.
How many acres are there in the Paradise Fire?
Lodgepole and Ash Mountain employee housing areas and NPS headquarters are evacuated. The Paradise Fire is 2,531 acres and the Colony Fire is 493 acres. The parks work closely with Cal Fire, BLM, and Tulare County Sherrif's Office as potential for fire growth poses risk to nearby BLM lands and neighboring communities.
Where is the KNP complex located?
The majority of the acreage of the KNP Complex is within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. It has also spread northeast onto Sequoia National Forest, as well as lands under county and state jurisdiction.
What was the goal of the fires in Sequoia National Park?
As soon as the fires were discovered, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks immediately took full suppression action, meaning that the goal was to totally extinguish them . Additional air and ground resources were ordered immediately. Cal Fire, Tulare County Fire, and Tulare County Sheriff's Office have worked in close partnership with the parks on these fires since their discovery.
Why are the California fires so difficult?
When the fires were discovered on September 10, it was immediately evident that putting them out would be difficult, due to the extemely steep terrain, lack of trail or road access, and risk to firefighters posed by high density of standing dead trees. Poor visibility due to extremely smoky conditions has also sometimes prevented aircraft from flying. In addition, the prolonged drought in California has killed thousands of trees in the parks, making them receptive to fire. Furthermore, due to the ongoing drought, live plants and trees have a very low percentage of moisture, meaning they are also more likely to ignite and carry fire.
What do firefighters do to protect Sherman trees?
Firefighters use fire resistant structure wrap to cover the tree, and rake dead tree branches and other burnable plant material away from its base.
Where is the fire at Mineral King Road?
The fire slops over Mineral King Road near Lookout Point, resulting in the re-evacuation of several neighborhoods.
What does "contain a fire" mean?
Contain a fire: "A fuel break around the fire has been completed. This break may include natural barriers or manually and/or mechanically constructed line." This does not mean that the fire has been put out.
How big are fire whirls?
Fire whirls range in size from less than one foot to more than 500 feet in diameter. Large fire whirls have the intensity of a small tornado.". Fuel: "Combustible material. Includes, vegetation, such as grass, leaves, ground litter, plants, shrubs and trees, that feed a fire.
What is a defensible space?
Defensible Space: "An area either natural or manmade where material capable of causing a fire to spread has been treated, cleared, reduced, or changed to act as a barrier between an advancing wildland fire and the loss to life, property, or resources. In practice, "defensible space" is defined as an area a minimum of 30 feet around a structure ...
How many fires are there in SCU?
The SCU Lightning Complex is composed of 20 separate fires in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, according to fire officials. While the complex is made up of 20 separate fires, Cal Fire is working to contain all of them simultaneously.
How do fires get their name?
Fires are often named after the area where they start. Dispatchers or fire officials use a geographical location, a local landmark, a street, a lake, a mountain or a peak to name the fire.
What are some examples of wildfires?
Some examples of this type of wildfire battle are the Mendocino Complex Fire from 2018, which was made up of two fires: the Ranch and River fires, and the SCU Complex, which sparked August 18.
What is the Carr Fire?
For example, the fire that started at Highway 299 and Carr Powerhouse Road in Whiskeytown in 2018 became known as the Carr Fire. The fire in Cedar Creek Falls in 2003 would be later be known as the Cedar Fire.
How many acres were burned in the August Complex fire?
By the time it was extinguished on November 12, the August Complex fire had burned a total of 1,032,648 acres (417,898 ha), or 1,614 square miles (4,180 km 2 ), about 1% of California's 100 million acres of land, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Where was the August Complex fire?
Location of August Complex fire in Northern California. The August Complex was a massive wildfire that burned in the Coast Range of Northern California, in Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, Trinity, and Shasta Counties. The complex originated as 38 separate fires started by lightning strikes on August 16–17, 2020.
What was the largest fire in California?
Four of the largest fires, the Doe, Tatham, Glade, and Hull fires, had burned together by August 30. On September 9, the Doe Fire, the main fire of the August Complex, surpassed the 2018 Mendocino Complex to become both the single-largest wildfire and the largest fire complex in recorded California history.
How many fires were there in August 17?
On the early morning of August 17, thunderstorms carried northward from the weakening Tropical Storm Fausto moved across Glenn and Mendocino Counties, starting at least 13 fires. By 5:00 PM PDT, the Doe Fire in Glenn County 35 miles (56 km) north of Willows had grown to 100 acres (40 ha), and firefighters had arrived on the scene. Most of the fires were on the Grindstone Ranger District with one on the Covelo Ranger District, ranging in size from 0.5 to 15 acres (0.20 to 6.07 ha). Thunderstorm activity continued for another couple of days, igniting even more wildfires on August 17. On the morning of August 17, the Elkhorn Fire was ignited north of the Doe Fire and east of the Hopkins Fire, near Maple Creek, in Tehama County, which was separate from the August Complex at the time. By 11:00 AM PDT on August 17, five fires had been contained, while the Doe Fire had grown to 550 acres (220 ha). In addition, the Box Fire in the Snow Mountain Wilderness reached 20 acres (8.1 ha), and the Rockwell and Pine Kop Fires west of Elk Creek had burned 175 acres (71 ha) and 80 acres (32 ha) respectively. Aided by thunderstorm activity and strong winds, the fires expanded rapidly throughout the day, and more fires were discovered bringing the total to 20. Forest Service officials decided to manage these fires as one incident, the August Complex.
How many acres were burned in the Mendocino fire?
Over the next two days, hot dry weather and gusty winds caused the fires to explode in size. Additional fires were discovered, increasing the total to 35. By the morning of August 20, the fires had burned 65,030 acres (26,320 ha) and were advancing downslope to the east. In Glenn County, evacuation orders were issued for parts of Elk Creek, Chrome, Burrows Gap, and Red Mountain, and an evacuation warning for Grindstone Rancheria. In the afternoon, the complex had grown to 116,372 acres (47,094 ha). All of Glenn County west of County Road 306 was placed under an evacuation order. On August 21, due to continued high fire danger, the Mendocino National Forest was temporarily closed to all public access.
How much of the Doe Fire was contained?
On August 29, the Doe Fire absorbed the Tatham Fire, while the Hopkins Fire had spread east into the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The Doe Fire was now 52 percent contained, though the complex overall remained at 18 percent, as the other fires continued to spread.
Where was the Doe Fire in 2020?
View of the August 2020 Doe Fire (the largest fire in the August Complex), on August 19, as seen to the south of Forest Highway 7 of the Mendocino National For est. / 39.765; -122.673. / 39.765; -122.673. The August Complex was a massive wildfire that burned in the Coast Range of Northern California, in Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, Trinity, ...
What does it mean when a fire is 100 percent contained?
When officials say a fire is 100 percent contained, that does not mean it has been extinguished. It means only that firefighters have it fully surrounded by a perimeter; it could still burn for weeks or months. Once a fire is declared “controlled,” then it’s over.
How big are fire whirls?
They range from less than one foot to more than 500 feet in diameter. The largest resemble the intensity of a small tornado.
What is the name of the column that sends gases, smoke, fly ash, particulates and other debris?
The presence of a convection column , which sends gases, smoke, fly ash, particulates and other debris produced by a fire straight into the air, spreading vertically, instead of horizontally
How many fires were there in California in 2020?
In the summer of 2020, a siege of dry lightning strikes sparked about 40 fires in three national forests in northwestern California. They all merged to become the August Complex fire. It burned more than one million acres in total, leading to a new term: “gigafire.”
Where was the 13-4 fire?
One of those ignitions was the actively expanding Walbridge Fire (then the 13-4 fire) that had started in rugged hills north of the Austin Creek State Recreation Area of Sonoma County and was now 75 acres in size with vitally no firefighter apparatus engaging the fire.
How many acres were burned in the Hennessey fire?
By the morning of August 18, the complex of fires burning through much of the Napa County region had already expanded to collectively encompass over 12,000 acres. By this time, only several hundred firefighters were actively engaging the firelines.
How many people died in the LNU fire?
In all, six people were killed and another five injured. The LNU Lighting Complex is currently the fourth-largest wildfire in the recorded history of California.
What is the fourth largest wildfire in California?
The LNU Lighting Complex is currently the fourth-largest wildfire in the recorded history of California.
Where was the Hennessey fire?
Early on Monday, August 17, at around 6:40 am PDT a spotfire was reported burning in the 60 block of Hennessey Ridge Road near Lake Hennessey which was initially dubbed the 14-3 Fire but then later named the Hennessey Fire. The incident was reported alongside several other fires burning not far from it, most notably the Gamble Fire which began burning in an area off Berryessa Knoxville Road north of Lake Berryessa and west of state Highway 16, the Spanish Fire which was burning near Spanish Flat, the 15-10 Fire burning near the Putah Bridge and the Markley Fire near the Monticello Dam. All of which had been reportedly burning almost completely unchecked as resources meant to combat the incidents had been stretched thin due to the onslaught of new and persisting fires throughout the state. Due to this factor, the fires were not contained during their most critical early phases, and by the evening of that day, the multiple conflagrations sizes were all ranging between 1,000 and 8,000 acres with 0% containment for each fire.
Where are the wildfires in California?
The LNU Lightning Complex fires were a large complex of wildfires that burned during the 2020 California wildfire season across much of the Wine Country area of Northern California – Lake , Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Yolo Counties , from August 17 to October 2, 2020. The complex was composed of numerous ...
What is the name of the California fire department?
The name of the complex fire refers to the name of the local unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the Sonoma–Lake–Napa Unit (LNU).
