It’s fire season again, and California is already seeing numerous wildfires prompting evacuations and other disruptions to daily life. Here’s a look at the latest wildfires in California on July 15, 2021. The first section of this story shows interactive maps for the state and the second section provides updates on specific fires.
Here’s what you need to know:
Interactive Maps of California Fires
Interactive fire maps can help you stay updated on the latest details about California fires. If you live near a fire, stay tuned to your local media as situations can change rapidly. (Please note that some of the maps below may be more easily viewed in landscape mode or on a computer, depending on your phone and mobile browser.)
One good interactive map to follow is from Inciweb, “an interagency all-risk incident information management system.” You can see the full map here. This map may also include fires that are 100% contained, but not quite yet completely out.
Another interactive fire map is embedded below, provided by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. You may need to click “OK” before you can view the map to indicate you’re not using it as an evacuation resource.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services also has an interactive map of red flag warnings and new and active fires. This map is updated every weekday morning, so it’s not always the best for emergency planning but is still informative.
Cal Fire also has a list of fire incidents and a map here.
If you used to follow Google’s Crisis Map, that is no longer available. However, Google does provide other crisis and wildfire services that are location-based.
Below is a list of the largest active fires in alphabetical order (as of the time of this article’s publication.)
List of Individual Fires in California
Here are some of the bigger individual fires in the region. Details are from Cal Fire or Inciweb, unless otherwise noted.
Bear Fire
This fire began in Kern County on July 11 near Interstate 5 and Bear Trap Road. No new updates have been shared on Cal Fire or on Kern County Fire’s Twitter page.
Beckwourth Complex Fire
This fire was first discovered on July 5 and includes the Sugar Fire and the Dotta Fire in Plumas County. As of July 15 at 12:44 p.m., the fire was 100,531 acres and 68% contained, according to Inciweb. The fire began three miles northeast of Beckwourth, California.
Inciweb noted: “Fire behavior will continue to be very active until approximately 0300. Once conditions moderate and fire activity diminishes, opportunities will become available for containment and line construction.”
Bradley Fire
This fire was discovered on July 11 in Siskiyou County, east of McCloud near Highway 89 and Harris Spring Road in the Shasta Trinity National Forest. It’s now 100% contained.
Cannon Fire
This fire is 43 acres and was discovered on July 14 near Vestal Road and Pope Drive, west of Red Bluff in Tehama County. It’s 90% contained.
Coyote Fire
This fire was first recorded on July 9 in Modoc County near Highway 139 and Dead Horse Canyon, southeast of Tulelake. The cause is under investigation. It’s now 90% contained at 110 acres.
Dexter Fire
This fire is in Mono County, northeast of Mammoth Lakes, near Wickie Up Road and Pilot Springs Road in the Inyo National Forest. It was caused by lightning and is 2,000 acres and 13% contained. Follow @Inyo_NF for updates on Twitter.
On July 15, Inciweb noted: “Extreme fire behavior continued yesterday in the afternoon as thunderstorm cells developed over the fire area. Spot fires on the southwest were taken care of and extinguished. Firefighters have established fireline on the southern flank of the fire and will be monitoring and mopping up today. Strategic firing was employed on the northeastern edge of the perimeter to moderate the fire spread. Aircraft continued to work throughout the day to assist firefighters in dropping water and retardant.”
Regarding evacuations, Inciweb added: “Mandatory evacuations for campers and residents have been implemented in the Bald Mountain area. The Big Springs and Bald Mountain Springs Campgrounds have been evacuated and are currently closed. Roads in the immediate vicinity are also closed to the public: North of the Owens River Rd. (2S07), east of Highway 395, west of Forest Rd. 1S17, and south of Highway 120. Previous treatments in this area will reduce the spread fire growth on the west side because of diminished fuels.”
Dixie Fire
This fire is in Butte County. It was discovered July 14 above the Cresta Dam in Feather River Canyon. It’s 2,250 acres in size and 0% contained, in steep and inaccessible terrain.
Evacuation warnings (as of July 15 at 9:53 a.m.) were in place in Pulga and North East Concow.
The information line is 530-538-7826.
Henry Fire
The Henry Fire was first discovered on June 25 in Alpine County east of Lake Alpine. Cal Fire has not updated its incident page since July 14. According to Inciweb, as of July 15 at 3:13 p.m., the fire was 919 acres and 21% contained. It was caused by lightning.
Juniper Fire
This fire was first reported on July 5 in Modoc County, west of Goose Lake, near South Mountain Reservoir and South Mountain Spur. Cal Fire has not updated its page since July 5, although it’s still on the map.
Other sources note that it is now 100% contained at a little over 1,000 acres.
Lava Fire
Lava Fire mop up and road repairs are continuing today.
The fire was caused by lightning, according to Inciweb, and containment is at 77% with 26,300 acres.
R-1 Fire
This fire was discovered on June 30 in Lassen County, southeast of Ravendale. Cal Fire has not updated details since June 30.
River Fire
The River Fire began on July 11 in Mariposa County near Oak Grove Road and Oak Grove School Road. It’s now 9,500 acres and 36% contained. Favorable weather conditions last night allowed for more containment. The fire is also in Madera County.
On July 15 at 10:42 a.m., Cal Fire shared the following evacuation updates, noting that evacuations were lifted in Madera County for the following areas.
- Road 600 between Road 415 and Road 612
- Road 600 between Blazing Saddle Trail and Highway 49
Evacuation orders in Madera County were reduced to Evacuation Warnings in the following areas:
- Road 600 between Leland Gulch Rd and Blazing Saddle Trail
- Road 800
- Road 820
- Road 810
- Road 812
- The following areas are open to RESIDENTS ONLY upon proof of residency at the road block.
- Road 600 @ Leland Gulch Road
- Road 600 @ Blazing Saddle Trail
- Road 800 @ Road 613
- Road 820 @ Mariposa County Line
- Road 810 @ Mariposa County Line
- Road 812 @ Mariposa County Line
Cal Fire also noted that all evacuation warnings in Mariposa County were lifted.
Road Fire
This fire was reported on July 10 in San Diego County near Japatul Valley Road and I-8. Cal Fire has not updated the page since July 10. However, other sources noted that forward spread was stopped on July 10, although the fire is still listed as active on Cal Fire’s map.
Salt Fire
The Salt Fire is 12,650 acres in size with 95% containment. It started on June 30.
Tennant Fire
This fire was discovered June 28, and Cal Fire has not updated its incident page for the fire since July 6, although it’s still on the map. The fire is in Siskiyou County near Tennant Road and Pengrass Road, south of Mount Hebron in Klamath National Forest.
According to Inciweb, the fire is now 100% contained as of July 12 at 10,580 acres.
READ NEXT: The latest COVID-19 news & vaccine updates