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SCU Lightning Complex fires

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Coordinates: 37°26′22″N 121°18′16″W / 37.439437°N 121.30435°W / 37.439437; -121.30435
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SCU Lightning Complex fires
SCU Lightning Complex fires on August 22, 2020.
Date(s)
  • August 16 – October 1, 2020 (2020-08-16 – 2020-10-01)
  • (47 days)[1]
LocationSan Francisco Bay Area (East Bay); Central Valley
Coordinates37°26′22″N 121°18′16″W / 37.439437°N 121.30435°W / 37.439437; -121.30435
Statistics[1]
Total area396,624 acres (160,508 ha)
Impacts
Deaths0[1]
Non-fatal injuries6[1]
Structures destroyed222[1]
Ignition
CauseLightning
Map
SCU Lightning Complex fires is located in Northern California
SCU Lightning Complex fires
Location of SCU Lightning Complex Fires in Northern California

The SCU (Santa Clara Unit) Lightning Complex fires were wildfires that burned in the Diablo Range in California in August and September 2020. The fire complex consisted of fires in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Merced, and Stanislaus counties.[1] The name is derived from the three-letter designation given to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) division responsible for the Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, and parts of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, and the complex consisted of several distinct fires occurring in this region.[2]

The complex fire burned a total of 393,624 acres (159,294 ha) from August 16 to October 1, 2020, making it the third-largest wildfire recorded in California's modern history, surpassed only by the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire and the 2020 August Complex fire.[3] The SCU Complex was one of several fire complexes burning during August and September in California, most notably the LNU, CZU, and August complexes.[4]

The Fire

The fire complex started on August 16, 2020.[5][6] It consisted of three zones: the Deer Zone in Contra Costa County; the Canyon Zone in Alameda, Santa Clara and parts of Stanislaus counties; and the Calaveras zone in parts of Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties.[7]They were the result of what was described as a freak lightning storms which also started the nearby LNU and CZU complexes which happened the previous night. Due to fire conditions in the Bay Area, the SCU complex rapidly grew in size upon ignition, going up from 4781 acres at the start to 25,000 acres by the start of the next day.

By August 19th, the SCU Lightning Complex had burned more than 102,000 acres (41,277 hectares) and caused the evacuations of thousands of residents from the fire. Firefighters were faced with an Excessive Heat Warning, strong winds, and medium range spotting. The Deer Zone was reported to mostly under control while the other zones made large gains. The complex caused the closure of most parks of the East Bay Regional Park District. The evacuations were given for those in Alameda County who lived on Mines Road, south of Mile Marker 10 to the county line, Frank Raines Park to Mines Road, and Del Puerto Canyon 1 mile to Mines Road. Those in Santa Clara County had to evacuate if they lived North of Hwy 130 to Santa Clara County Line, West of San Antonio Valley Rd, West of Mines Rd. to Santa Clara County Line, and East of 3 Springs Rd. and Mt. Hamilton Rd. In the areas around San Jose, people living East of Ed Levin County Park, Felter Rd., Sierra Rd., Toyon Ave. and Mt. Hamilton Rd to Three Springs Road had to evacuate. Those living North of Mt. Hamilton Rd. to Three Springs Rd. south to the Santa Clara County line also had to evacuate. The entire community of Diablo Grande and those on the Diablo Grande Parkway evacuated in Stanislaus County. [8]

On August 20, the fires reached Lick Observatory, an astronomical telescopic observatory operated by the University of California, located on Mount Hamilton.[9] One residential building not in use was destroyed, and some other residential buildings were damaged, but the telescope domes themselves did not burn.[9]

By August 24th-25th, the fire had burned 347,000 acres (140,426 ha). Conditions began to be better for firefighters, as a Red Flag Warning had expired during the day, as well as winds died down. A weather system which the potential to start more fires had also passed through earlier in the week. Many evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings including for residents North of Magnolia Ct. and Magnolia Way,East of Lower Thomas Grade along the East Dunne Corridor, of Hwy 101 to Metcalf Rd., East of Coyote Creek, East of Cochrane Rd., East of Hill Rd., South of Main Ave. North of Dunne Ave., West of Shingle Valley Rd. and Anderson Lake, to include the Jackson Oaks and Holiday Lake Estates.South of Metcalf Rd.South of Dunne Ave. and west of Lower Thomas Grade, East of Hill Rd., North of Maple Ave., Foothill Ave.,North San Martin Ave.East of New Ave.North of Roop Rd.,West of Coyote Creek and Coyote Lake. In Stanislaus County, those living North of Orestimba Rd. and Orestimba Creek in between I-5 and the fire perimeter to the Stanislaus/San Joaquin County Line South of the Stanislaus/San Joaquin County Line in between I-5 and the fire perimeter to Orestimba Rd. and Orestimba Creek East of the fire perimeter to I-5 in between Stanislaus/San Joaquin County Line and Orestimba Creek West of I-5 in between the Stanislaus/San Joaquin County Line and Orestimba Rd. also had their evacuation orders downgraded.[10] However, other evacuation orders remained in place, including most orders issued for Santa Clara, Alameda, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties. Weather conditions were favorable to the firefighters, as a marine layer covered most of the the area, allowing for high humidity. Temperatures were moderate in the fire areas, as was the wind. However, the fire was only 20% contained by August 25th, having burned 365,772 acres (148,022 ha). 18 structures were destroyed, with more than 20,000 structures still threatened by the fire. It was 20% contained.[11]

By August 26, the Deer zone was fully contained,[12][13] and the other Canyon and Calaveras zones had grown together into a single branch of the fire.[12] The complex had destroyed 20 structures, with 6 structures damaged. The fire was still at 365,772 acres (148,022 ha) and was 25% contained. Weather conditions remained favorable as firefighters built new fire lines and reinforced existing fire lines.

By September 1st, Cal Fire reported that most of the fire hd been extinguished, although there were still interior islands burning inside the fire perimeter. Weather above 2000 ft made it possible for the fire to actively burn, while the conditions on the lower slopes were more favorable. Humidity was not too good, with most areas having 20-30% humidity. Winds were still light, while the temperature was forecasted to be in the 80s-90s making somewhat unfavorable temperatures for firefighters that were expected to go through the Labor Day weekend. 45 structures were destroyed, with more than 5,000 still threatened. By the end of the day, the fire had burned 391,150 acres and was 72% contained. 5 more structures were destroyed over the course of the day, bringing it to a total of 50 structures. Weather conditions were still somewhat unfavorable, with an Excessive Heat Watch issued.[14]

By September 4th, the fire grew to 396,624 acres (160,508 ha). Interior islands still burned as there was poor humidity recovery above 2000 ft. Temperatures were not favorable during the day as there was a Excessive Heat Warning in effect, though nighttime weather was mild, with some areas seeing temperatures below 50 degrees Humidity, however, was good with most of the fire area having good humidity, although some areas had poor humidity. Winds were also good, having been light and terrain-driven. 87 structures were destroyed, with 0 threatened and 37 structures damaged by the fire. The fire was 82% contained. Later that night, a Fire Weather Watch was issued in the area. High pressure also made for record temperatures, although containment went up to 84%. A total of 105 structures were destroyed

On October 1, Cal Fire reported that the entire fire complex had been fully contained.[1] The fire complex had destroyed 222 structures, damaged another 26, and injured 6 people.[1] No fatalities were recorded.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "SCU Lightning Complex". Cal Fire Incidents. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  2. ^ Vainshtein, Annie (2020-08-20). "LNU? SCU? CZU? How the Lightning Complex and other California fires get their names". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Top 20 Largest California Wildfires" (PDF). CAL FIRE. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Hwang, Kellie (September 4, 2020). "Three recent wildfires now among top 4 largest in California history: See Cal Fire list". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  5. ^ "SCU Lightning Complex". Cal Fire Incidents. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  6. ^ Hernández, Lauren; Swan, Rachel; Cabanatuan, Michael; Williams, Michael; Arredondo, Vanessa; Fracassa, Dominic; Li, Roland; Beamish, Rita (August 25, 500). "California fires live updates: Wildfires have burned almost 2,000 square miles in 10 days". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved August 25, 2020. SCU Complex fires that began Aug. 16 and affect steep terrain of Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties...
  7. ^ "SCU Lightning Complex Fire: Deer Zone contained, some evacuations downgraded". ABC 10 News. August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "SCU Lightning Complex Fire: First responder injured, 360,055 acres burned". KTVU FOX 2. 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  9. ^ a b "UC Lick Observatory Remains Safe From SCU Lightning Complex Fires". NBC Bay Area. August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  10. ^ "SCU Lightning Complex: Some Evacuations Orders Downgraded; Firefight Will Be 'Absolute Marathon'". 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  11. ^ "#SCULightningComplex | Incident Update | 8/25/20 7PM".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ a b "SCU Lightning Complex Fire: Deer Zone contained, some evacuations downgraded". ABC 10 News. August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "SCU Lightning Complex". Cal Fire Incidents. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "#SCULightningComplex | Incident Update | 9/01/20 7 AM".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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