2011 California wildfires


There were 7,989 fires that burned of land in the US state of California during 2011.

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.

List of wildfires

Below is a list of all fires that exceeded during the 2011 fire season. The list is, and all data herein, is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires, except where otherwise cited.
NameCountyAcresKmStart dateContained DateNotes
CoveKernMay 27, 2011May 31, 2011-
CougarModocJune 8, 2011June 13, 2011-
AntelopeKernJune 19, 2011June 21, 20112 structures destroyed-
QuinnKernJune 21, 2011June 22, 2011-
StageTulareJune 27, 2011July 2, 2011-
LionTulareJuly 8, 2011October 10, 2011-
Scorpion ComplexModocJuly 15, 2011July 18, 2011-
EagleSan DiegoJuly 21, 2011July 29, 2011-
AnnieModocAugust 18, 2011August 21, 2011-
MotorMariposaAugust 25, 2011September 4, 2011-
WellsSan BernardinoAugust 28, 2011August 31, 2011-
HillSan BernardinoSeptember 2, 2011September 2, 20113 structures destroyed-
SodaSan Luis ObispoSeptember 3, 2011September 4, 20111 structures destroyed-
CanyonKernSeptember 4, 2011September 11, 2011100 structures destroyed-
MiltonSan JoaquinSeptember 9, 2011September 11, 2011-
Keene ComplexKernSeptember 10, 2011September 14, 2011-
Comanche ComplexKernSeptember 10, 2011September 14, 2011Originated as 4 separate fires.-
Breckenridge ComplexKernSeptember 10, 2011September 17, 2011-
JohnInyoSeptember 13, 2011September 16, 2011-
TamarackMariposaSeptember 13, 2011October 17, 2011-
65 FireKernSeptember 23, 2011September 23, 2011-
RuthTrinitySeptember 23, 2011September 28, 201131 structures destroyed-
BuckeyeMonoSeptember 25, 2011September 27, 2011-
GreatSan DiegoOctober 1, 2011October 7, 2011-