Rough Fire

The Rough Fire was a major wildfire in Fresno County, California, and the largest of the 2015 California wildfire season. The fire was ignited by a lightning strike on July 31 and burned 151,623 acres (61,360ha), largely in the Sierra National Forest and the Sequoia National Forest, before it was declared contained on November 6, 2015. At the time it occurred, the fire was the thirteenth largest in recorded California history.

The Rough Fire destroyed four structures and caused zero fatalities. Twelve injuries were recorded among the firefighters that responded to the incident, who numbered more than 3,700 at peak staffing in mid-September. The effort to contain the fire cost an estimated $120 million.

Background

A severe and multi-year drought worsened wildfire risk in California in 2015. The drought and ensuing bark beetle predation on weakened trees contributed to the accumulation of over ten million dead trees in the southern Sierra Nevada by the time of the fire. In addition to these factors, there was little prior fire history—natural or intentional burns—in the area, in some cases extending back 150 years.

Progression

July 31–August 31

The Rough Fire was begun by a lightning strike in the evening hours of Friday, July 31, 2015. The location of the fire's ignition was in the southern Sierra National Forest, partway up Deer Ridge between Rough Creek and Deer Creek in the upper drainage of the Kings River. It was first detected by the Buck Rock fire lookout in Sequoia National Forest to the south, and the location of the fire was triangulated with the help of several other lookouts. Lightning touched off several other fires in the region that night, but all were quickly contained.

The Rough Fire—dubbed as such for its initial proximity to Rough Creek, in typical wildfire naming fashion—owed its survival to its rugged and remote location; there were no roads or trails that ground crews could use to access the fire. The section of the Kings Canyon drainage in question contained slopes of eighty to ninety degrees, too steep for ground crews to work safely in. Forest Service experts considered the chances of quelling the fire with air power alone impracticable.

By August 6, a week after ignition, authorities reported the fire as having burned 500 acres (200ha) with no containment. By Tuesday, August 11, it had grown to more than 5,000 acres (2,000ha).

September 1–31

On September 2, over 2,500 people were safely evacuated from Hume Lake Christian Camps and surrounding area. All camp events were cancelled and only security personnel remained.

On September 5, the fire reached Kings Canyon National Park as it crossed the 85,800-acre (347km2) mark.

On September 7, a severely burned firefighter was airlifted to the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

On September 10, officials at Kings Canyon National Park began evacuating all visitors and employees from the Wilsonia and General Grant Grove areas. A mandatory evacuation order was issued for Dunlap, effective September 11.

On September 14, moisture and lower temperatures associated with the remnants of Hurricane Linda arrived in the southern Sierra. Light rain fell in Sierra/Sequoia National Forests and Kings Canyon, allowing firefighters to access the fire directly instead of preparing control lines at a distance.

On September 15, as the fire slowed and with favorable weather conditions, evacuation orders and warnings in Dunlap and Squaw Valley were lifted. By that time, 3,742 firefighters, 345 engines, 19 helicopters and 45 bulldozers had been deployed.

October 1 onwards

The Rough Fire was declared 100 percent contained on November 6, and then declared controlled sometime later in the month. The total cost of the firefighting effort was estimated by the National Interagency Coordination Center at $120.93 million.

The fire was, at the time it occurred, the thirteenth largest in recorded California history and the largest in the history of Fresno County. It no longer numbers among even the twenty largest fires in the state.

Effects

The Rough Fire destroyed four structures. One of these was the Kings Canyon Lodge off Highway 180 in Kings Canyon National Park.

More than one hundred giant sequoia trees died in the Rough Fire.

The total number of evacuees reached more than 2,500 on August 20, following the fire's leap across the Kings River and Highway 180.

On September 11, Fresno health officials reported an unprecedented increase in hospital emergency department visits due to respiratory problems, and urged residents to avoid outdoor activities when the air is smoky.

Area by ownership

As of October6,2015[update], the total burned area breaks down into:

Growth and containment