2002 California wildfires


During 2002, 8,328 wildfires burned of land in the US state of California.

Background

The timing of "fire season" in California is variable, depending on the amount of prior winter and spring precipitation, the frequency and severity of weather such as heat waves and wind events, and moisture content in vegetation. Northern California typically sees wildfire activity between late spring and early fall, peaking in the summer with hotter and drier conditions. Occasional cold frontal passages can bring wind and lightning. The timing of fire season in Southern California is similar, peaking between late spring and fall. The severity and duration of peak activity in either part of the state is modulated in part by weather events: downslope/offshore wind events can lead to critical fire weather, while onshore flow and Pacific weather systems can bring conditions that hamper wildfire growth.
In Los Angeles, we had a driest rainy season, in 2001-2002 we're merged with total of 4.42 inches for a fire season

List of wildfires

Below is a list of fires that exceeded or caused a notable amount of damage during the 2002 fire season. The list is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires.
NameCountyAcresKmStart dateContained DateNotes
GreenRiversideFebruary 9, 2002February 13, 2002-
GavilanSan DiegoFebruary 10, 2002February 15, 200243 buildings destroyed, 13 buildings damaged-
NicholasMaderaMarch 16, 2002March 16, 2002-
AlisoSan DiegoMarch 21, 2002March 22, 2002-
BouquetLos AngelesMay 11, 2002May 13, 2002-
MateoSan DiegoMay 13, 2002May 13, 2002-
State 925RiversideMay 13, 2002May 15, 2002-
AhlemMercedMay 23, 2002May 23, 2002-
ArrowheadSan BernardinoMay 31, 2002June 5, 2002-
WolfVenturaJune 1, 2002June 14, 20026 structures destroyed-
CopperLos AngelesJune 5, 2002June 12, 200226 structures destroyed-
SkywayButteJune 8, 2002June 9, 2002-
DavisSan Luis ObispoJune 9, 2002June 9, 2002-
ForksSiskiyouJune 12, 2002June 15, 2002-
BluecutSan BernardinoJune 16, 2002June 22, 2002-
BorelKernJune 15, 2002June 17, 200219 structures destroyed-
Sudden RanchSanta BarbaraJune 17, 2002June 19, 20021 structure destroyed-
CopoLos AngelesJune 18, 2002June 21, 20021 structures destroyed-
VieuxAlamedaJune 18, 2002June 18, 2002-
TroySan DiegoJune 19, 2002June 22, 20023 buildings destroyed, 1 damaged-
StageTulareJune 22, 2002June 22, 2002-
LouisianaSan BernardinoJune 26, 2002June 30, 20027 buildings destroyed-
CottonwoodMercedJuly 4, 2002July 4, 2002-
596LassenJuly 12, 2002July 13, 2002-
GarnetSan DiegoJuly 13, 2002July 16, 2002-
MussoliniSiskiyouJuly 13, 2002July 16, 2002-
Sour BiscuitDel NorteJuly 13, 2002August 2, 2002-
Inyo ComplexInyoJuly 15, 2002July 16, 2002-
Horse ComplexLassenJuly 15, 2002July 15, 2002-
Highway 58San Luis ObispoJuly 18, 2002July 19, 20026 structures destroyed-
DeerKernJuly 21, 2002July 24, 200294 structures destroyed-
McNallyTulareJuly 21, 2002September 3, 200217 structures destroyed-
StanzaSiskiyouJuly 26, 2002August 2, 20023 firefighters killed-
PinesSan DiegoJuly 29, 2002August 16, 2002160 structures destroyed, 4 damaged; caused by damaged electric power lines-
Fort Hunter LiggettMontereyAugust 10, 2002August 11, 2002-
CurveLos AngelesSeptember 1, 2002September 5, 200273 structures destroyed-
FreewayLos AngelesSeptember 1, 2002September 3, 2002-
LeonaLos AngelesSeptember 3, 2002September 6, 200216 structures destroyed-
MountainLos AngelesSeptember 9, 2002September 11, 2002-
OasisLos AngelesSeptember 14, 2002September 14, 2002-
SierraPlacerSeptember 18, 2002September 18, 200221 structures destroyed-
WilliamsLos AngelesSeptember 22, 2002October 7, 200277 structures destroyed-
CroySanta ClaraSeptember 23, 2002September 28, 200234 structures destroyed, 4 damaged-
ConeLassenSeptember 26, 2002September 30, 2002-
SixteenYoloOctober 1, 2002October 2, 2002-
PlumEl DoradoNovember 26, 2002November 28, 2002-
PineMendocinoNovember 26, 2002November 28, 20027 structures destroyed-