Wildfire — West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, California

2015-09-09 to 2015-09-30 · West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, California

Event narrative

There were 70,868 acres were burned in the Butte Fire, the 7th most destructive fire in California history. There were 475 residences and 343 outbuildings destroyed, and 45 structures damaged. In the fire there were 2 civilian fatalities and 1 injury. The cause has tentatively been attributed to a PG&E power line coming in contact with a live tree. Extensive damage was done to power lines and poles. PG&E has identified 505 locations where equipment needs to be fixed.

Wider weather episode

Extreme fire behavior with winds and very dry fuels combining to enhance rapidly moving fires which destroyed hundreds of homes and caused multiple deaths in the Valley and Butte Fires. The Valley Fire is considered the 3rd most destructive wildfire in California history, the Butte Fire the 7th most destructive.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 597821. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.