2005 California wildfires

7,162 wildfires burned 222,538 acres (900.58km2) of land in the US state of California in 2005.

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 1,000 acres (4.0km2) during the 2005 fire season. The list is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires.

Labor Day brush fire

On Labor Day Monday, September 5, 2005, a small brush fire erupted and burned parts of Rancho Peñasquitos and Black Mountain Open Space Park. The wildfire quickly grew to 200 acres (0.81km2), and triggered the evacuation of 200 homes in Rancho Peñasquitos, before further growth was stopped by firefighters. The fire was fully extinguished by September 7. Despite its small size, the brush fire was the worst wildfire to affect San Diego City in two years, since the Cedar Fire of 2003. The wildfire resulted in 6 injuries, but did not result in structural damages. The brush fire determined to have been started by a teenage boy, who was subsequently arrested.

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