2023 California wildfires facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 2023 California wildfires
The York Fire burns in Mojave National Preserve on July 29
Statistics
Total fires	7,127
Total area	324,917 acres (131,489 ha)
Date(s)	January 1 – December 31, 2023
Buildings destroyed	58 (13 damaged)
Deaths	4 (1 civilian, 3 firefighter)
Map
A map of wildfires in California in 2023, using Cal Fire data
Season
← 2022 2024 →

The 2023 California wildfire season was a time when many big wildfires happened across California in 2023. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported that 7,127 fires burned over 324,917 acres (about 131,489 hectares). This amount was less than the average for the past five years. In 2023, four people died because of these fires.

Understanding the Fire Season

Weather and Wildfires

California had a lot of rain and snow from December 2022 to March 2023. This was due to strong weather systems called atmospheric rivers. This rain helped a lot with drought conditions and made the snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains much deeper than usual.

Some experts worried that all this new plant growth could become very dry later. If dry and warm weather returned, these plants could easily catch fire. However, Cal Fire generally said that more rain helps lower the risk of a bad wildfire season.

Cal Fire thought that plants would not get "critically dry" for long periods between March and June 2023. "Critically dry fuel moisture" means plants are so dry they can easily help a large fire grow.

When Fires Usually Peak

In Northern California, wildfires usually happen most often in the summer. This is when it gets warmer and drier. Sometimes, dry winds or lightning can also start fires. Fires usually continue until late fall when rain comes.

In Southern California, the busiest fire time is from late spring to early fall. This is when the weather gets drier. Strong winds, like Santa Ana winds, can cause big fires any time of year. But they are most common in the fall when plants are driest.

Getting Ready for Fires

In January, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, announced a large amount of money. About $930 million was given to 10 western states, including California. This money was for programs to reduce wildfire risks. These programs include clearing trees, thinning brush, and using controlled burns. This was a big increase in funding for these efforts.

In January, California senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla introduced a new bill. It was called the Wildfire Emergency Act. This bill aimed to recognize wildfires as an emergency in the Western United States. It would provide money for restoring forests and making areas more resistant to fires. It would also help make sure important facilities stay working during wildfires.

In March, Vice President Kamala Harris announced $197 million in federal grants. These grants were for wildfire defense programs. California groups and authorities received 29 of these grants. The money helps counties check homes for fire safety. It also supports training for controlled burns and reducing fuel for fires.

What Happened During the Season

People Affected

On August 6, two helicopters crashed while fighting a small fire in Riverside County. One helicopter landed safely. Sadly, all three people in the other helicopter died. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is looking into what happened. Overall, four people died during the 2023 fire season in California. This included three firefighters and one civilian.

Major Wildfires

Here is a list of some notable wildfires that burned a lot of land or caused damage.

Learn More

• List of California wildfires
• 2023 Arizona wildfires
• 2023 New Mexico wildfires
• 2023 Oregon wildfires