October 23, 2020 - Critical fire weather remains in effect across much of Northern California, with firefighters on high alert for the possibility of new fast moving wildfires. Over 5,500 firefighters continue to work towards full containment on 19 wildfires in California, 12 of which remain major incidents. Yesterday, firefighters responded to 24 new initial attack wildfires across the State, and despite Red Flag Warning conditions in Northern California all of the new fires were contained.

Several Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service remain in effect across Northern California due to critical fire weather. Strong winds are likely to continue through this evening across portions of interior northern California stretching from Redding down to Vacaville, as well as through the parts of the Bay Area, the Sierra Foothills, and Northwest California. These areas could experience wind gusts of up to 45mph. Learn more about these warnings in this short video: https://youtu.be/ImAGkPaiPM8.

Firefighters are monitoring weather conditions very closely as a stronger wind event if forecast starting Sunday and lasting through Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for much of Northern California due to these strong winds and low humidity. This event could bring the strongest winds seen this year, with peak wind gusts 40-50mph and up to 70+ mph in some canyons and ridgetops.

In anticipation for the critical fire weather, CAL FIRE increased staffing and has been coordinating with local fire agencies in preposition fire resources in these critical areas. Officials continue to urge the public to ensure they are prepared for wildfires, as well as take all precautions outdoors to prevent sparking a wildfire. This weekend, CAL FIRE is asking residents in these Red Flag areas to use extreme caution outdoors in order to help prevent accidently sparking a wildfire. To learn more ways to prepare and prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

Fires of Interest:

**Federal Incidents**
August Complex, multiple Counties (more info…)
Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama and Trinity Counties
Elk Creek and Stonyford area (Mendocino National Forest)
*1,032,264 acres, 92% contained
*1 fatality
*210 structures destroyed
*The fire is being managed in four zones by 4 national Incident Management Teams
 
Creek Fire, Fresno and Madera Counties (more info…)
Northeast of Shaver Lake (Sierra National Forest)
*357,656 acres, 61% contained
*Evacuations in place
*Heavy tree mortality in the area
*856 structures destroyed
* California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 is in command

SQF Complex, Tulare County (more info…)
3 miles east of Giant Sequoia National Monument
*168,973 acres, 75% contained
*Evacuation order and warnings remain in place
*228 structures destroyed
*California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 is in command.
 
Coleman Fire, Monterey County (more info…)
North Fort Hunter Liggett
*574 acres, 20% contained
*Continued structure threat
 
North Complex, Plumas County (more info…)
Northeast of Oroville to southwest of Quincy (Plumas National Forest)
*318,930 acres, 95% contained
*15 fatalities
*2,352 structures destroyed
 
Slater Fire, Siskiyou County (more info…)
5 miles North of Happy Camp (Klamath National Forest)
*156,666 acres, 85% contained
*2 fatalities
 
Devil Fire, Siskiyou County (more info…)
5 miles north of Upper Devil’s Peak (Klamath National Forest)
*8,885 acres, 65% contained
 
Fork Fire, El Dorado County, (more info…)
15 miles northeast of Pollock Pines (El Dorado National Forest)
*1,670 acres, 85% contained
 
Red Salmon Complex – Humboldt County (more info…)
14 miles northeast of Willow Creek (Shasta-Trinity National Forest)
*143,366 acres, 75% contained        

Blue Jay Fire, Mariposa County (more info…)
Yosemite National Park Wilderness
*6,840 acres, 50% contained

Wolf Fire, Tuolumne County (more info…)
Yosemite National Park Wilderness
*1,935 acres, 40% contained
 
Moraine, Tulare County (more info…)
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness
*984 acres, 70% contained
 
Rattlesnake, Tulare County (more info…)
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness 
*6,867 acres, 40% contained

Dolan Fire, Monterey County (more info…)
Hwy 1, 10 miles south of Big Sur (Los Padres National Forest)
*124,924 acres, 98% contained
 
Slink Fire, Mono County (more info…)
2 miles west of Coleville (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest)
*26,759 acres, 90% contained
 
Apple Fire, Riverside County (more info…)
Oak Glen/Cherry Valley (San Bernardino National Forest)
*33,424 acres, 95% contained
 
Bobcat Fire, Los Angeles County (more info…)
North of Duarte (Angeles National Forest)
*115,796 acres, 95% containment
 
Bullfrog Fire, Fresno County (more info…)
SE of Bullfrog Lake (Sierra National Forest)
*1,185 acres, 60% contained

El Dorado Fire, San Bernardino County (more info…)
West of Oak Glen (San Bernardino National Forest)
*22,744 acres, 95% contained
*1 fatality
 
Top 20 Wildfire Records

• 5 of the Top 20 largest wildfires in California History have occurred in 2020.
• Largest Wildfires - #1 August Complex, #3 SCU Lightning Complex, #4 LNU Lightning Complex, #5 Creek Fire, #6 North Complex and #18 SQF Complex
• Most Destructive - #5 North Complex, #10 Glass Fire, #11 LNU Lightning Complex, #12 CZU Lightning Complex, #17 August Fire, #19 Creek Fire.
• Deadliest Wildfires - #5 North Complex and #16 LNU Lightning Complex.
  Source: CAL FIRE