Question: How much land was damaged in the 2019 California wildfires?

2018 California wildfires




The 2018 wildfire season is the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record in California, with a total of 8,527 fires burning an area of 1,893,913 acres (766,439ha), the largest amount of burned acreage recorded in a fire season, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), as of December 21.[1][2][3] The fires have caused more than $3.5 billion (2018 USD) in damages, including $1.792 billion in fire suppression costs.[4][5][6][7] Through the end of August 2018, Cal Fire alone spent $432 million on operations.[17] The Mendocino Complex Fire burned more than 459,000 acres (186,000ha), becoming the largest complex fire in the state's history, with the complex's Ranch Fire surpassing the Thomas Fire and the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889 to become California's single-largest recorded wildfire.[18][19]
In mid-July to August 2018, a series of large wildfires erupted across California, mostly in the northern part of the state, including the destructive Carr Fire and the Mendocino Complex Fire. On August 4, 2018, a national disaster was declared in Northern California, due to the extensive wildfires burning there.[20]
In November 2018, strong winds aggravated conditions in another round of large, destructive fires that occurred across the state.  This new batch of wildfires includes the Woolsey Fire and the Camp Fire, the latter of which killed at least 86 people[16] with 3[16] still unaccounted for as of 4 December 2018. It destroyed more than 18,000 structures, becoming both California's deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record.
Increased fire susceptibility
Many different factors led to the 2018 California wildfire season becoming so destructive. A combination of an increased amount of natural fuel and compounding atmospheric conditions linked to global warming led to a series of destructive fires. Recent research on wildfires in California, published in August 2018, predicted an increase in the number of wildfires as a consequence of climate change.[21] Humans have been recorded as the main cause of wildfires in California. Various causes, both intentional and accidental, such as arson, unattended campfires, fireworks, cigarettes, cars, and power lines  have contributed to this increase in the number of fires. Updating equipment, ensuring forest maintenance is being completed, and having oversight by state and federal governments are some of the mitigating actions that can reduce the risk of wildfires.
Increase in fuel
A direct contributor to the 2018 California wildfires was an increase in dead tree fuel.[22] By December 2017, there were a record 129 million dead trees in California.[23]
Atmospheric conditions
Stanford Earth System Science Professor Noah Diffenbaugh stated that atmospheric conditions for California wildfires are expected to worsen in the future because of the effects of climate change in California and that "what we're seeing over the last few years in terms of the wildfire season in California [is] very consistent with the historical trends in terms of increasing temperatures, increasing dryness, and increasing wildfire risk." Other experts agreed, saying that global warming is to blame for these extreme weather conditions. Global warming led to higher temperatures and less rain, creating a drier landscape that gave fires more fuel to burn longer and stronger.[24]
Residential construction in the wildland-urban interface
A wildland–urban interface (or WUI) refers to the zone of transition between unoccupied land and human development. Communities that are within 0.5 miles (0.80km) of the zone may also be included. These lands and communities adjacent to and surrounded by wildlands are at risk of wildfires.[25] Since the 1990s, over 43% of new residential buildings have been constructed in this area. In some areas, the amount of new residences in those areas is 80%.[26] In the past, when these areas burned, no residences were lost, but now residences are present, which end up being destroyed.[27]
Air quality

Northern California and the Central Valley saw drastic increases in air pollutants during the height of the July and August fires, while Southern California also experienced an increase in air pollution in August.[28] Air quality in Northern and Central California remained poor until mid-September 2018, when fire activity was drastically diminished. However, during the November Camp Fire, air quality diminished again, with the majority of the Bay being subjected to air quality indexes (AQIs) of 200 and above, in the "unhealthy" region.

Wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400ha), or produced significant structural damage or loss of life.

Fatalities

On June 4, the Panoche Fire broke out, in a series of three blazes that started in the San Benito County area. While the Panoche incident was the smallest of the three fires, burning only 64 acres (26ha), the remains of three people were found in a destroyed camping trailer in the burn area.[8][104] The remains were believed to belong to a mother, a toddler, and an infant.[8][105]
On July 14, a Cal Fire bulldozer operator was killed while fighting the Ferguson Fire, becoming the first firefighter death of the season.[9]
On July 23, the Carr Fire broke out after a vehicle malfunctioned. While the Carr Fire burned in rural areas of Shasta County for the first few days, it crossed the Sacramento River and entered the city limits of Redding, California on the evening of July 26. By the next morning, two firefighters and four civilians had been killed.[10][11][106]
On July 29, a firefighter with the National Park Service was killed after a dead tree fell and struck him, while he was fighting the Ferguson Fire. He was "treated on scene, but died before he could be taken to the hospital".[12]
On August 4, a Pacific Gas and Electric Company employee was killed in a vehicle incident while working to restore services to areas impacted by the Carr Fire.[13]
On August 9, a Cal Fire heavy equipment mechanic was killed in a traffic incident while working at the Carr Fire.[14]
On August 13, a firefighter was killed while fighting the Mendocino Complex Fire.[15]
On November 9, 2018, at least 88 civilians were killed by the Camp Fire, while three firefighters were injured, the fire also destroyed more than 10,321 structures, becoming the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history.[107] Three people also died during the Woolsey Fire near Malibu.[108] The number dead was lowered to 85 by early December when it was discovered one victim was put in several bags.[16]
Verizon Wireless data throttling
The Santa Clara County Fire Department raised claims against Verizon Wireless that their "unlimited" data service had been throttled while the fire department was attempting to contain the Mendocino Complex Fire. The Verizon contract stated that the department's plan would be throttled down to 200 kbit/s or 600 kbit/s once the department had used 25 GB in a single month. However, the contract stated that the usage related throttling would not apply in certain emergency situations, such as wildfire containment operations. The plan remained throttled, despite the department's notification to Verizon regarding the situation. [109][110]
Gallery

Photograph of smoky sky near sunset in early August looking toward the west, in Sacramento, California. The smoke was produced by the wildfires.
California National Guard battles wildfires.
The Bay Bridge in San Francisco, California. The photo on the left was taken November 16, 2018 and the one on the right October 14, 2018.
Golden Gate Park as seen by drone during the Camp Fire

See also
List of California wildfires
October 2017 Northern California wildfires
Climate change in California




— California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
— San Diego Supercomputer Center