California Wildfires

Losses, 2024 dollars

$6.6 billion

Losses at the time

$3.9 billion

Deaths

22

The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.

• Wildfire in Montana, September 1 to 30, 2003$250,000 · 1 eventCathedral PeakCause: Lightning StrikeBegin Date: August 16, 2003End Date: September 30, 2003Acres Burned: 3000Structural Loss: 1Cost: 250,000K
• Wildfire in Montana, September 1 to 5, 20031 eventRough Draw ComplexCause: Lightning StrikeBegin Date: August 10, 2003End Date: September 5, 2003Acres Burned: 3000Structural Loss: 0
• Wildfire in Montana, September 1 to 15, 20031 eventA lightning caused wildfire started north of West Yellowstone on the 20th of August. This wildfire was named the Rathbone Fire. 2000 acres burned by the end of August, and an additional 1000 acres burned in September. No structural losses or injuries were reported.
• Wildfire in Wyoming, September 1 to 13, 20031 eventThe East Wildfire continued to burn into early September. The fire burned a total of 23,500 acres in August and September. The total estimated cost of fighting the fire was 6.9 million dollars.
• Wildfire in Wyoming, September 1 to 4, 20031 eventThe Boulder Basin Wildfire continued to burn into early September. The fire burned a total of 11,553 acres in August and September. The estimated total cost of fighting the fire was 1.9 million dollars.
• Wildfire in Wyoming, September 1 to 6, 20031 eventThe Blackwater Wildfire continued to burn into early September. A total of 6,805 acres were burned. The estimated cost of fighting the fire was 1.2 million dollars.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 1 to 17, 20031 eventThe Booth and Bear Butte Fires began on August 19th and burned a total of 91,000 acres. The cause of the fire was determined to be prior lightning strikes which created hot spots that later flared up into a wildfire.
• Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 30, 20031 eventThe Square Lake Fire began on August 25th, and burned a total of 1,097 acres. The fire was a lightning sparked fire, and became completely contained on September 30th.
• Wildfire in Idaho, September 1 to 3, 20031 event4400 acre fire burned timber, downed fuels and grass. No structural damage reported. Cost to suppress estimated at 600,000 dollars.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 30, 20031 eventThe Kibbee Complex fire, having started July 20th by lightning, burned through the month of September as a resource burn. By the end of the month it had reached 9,230 acres and had an accumulated cost of $2M.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 30, 20031 eventThe Kaweah-Kern Complex of fires were essentially started July 28th and allowed to continue to burn as resource fires through the month of September.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 30, 20031 eventThe Duncan Complex Fire was ignited by lightning in July, and allowed to continue to burn through September as a resource burn. By the end of September it had consumed 1284 acres at an accumulated cost of $100K.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 2 to 3, 20031 eventThe Herman Creek Fire burned 470 acres in and around Cascade Locks. Three structures (none inhabited) burned. About 200 homes were evacuated. No injuries were reported.
• Wildfire in California, September 2, 20031 eventA brush fire burned 10 acres in the northern edge of Moreno Valley before being fully contained. Several residences were threatened but no property damage or injuries occurred.
• Wildfire in California, September 3 to 30, 2003$64,000 · 1 eventThe Cargyle Complex Fire was ignited by lightning on the 3rd and allowed to burn through the month for resource benefits. By the end of the month it had burned 717 acres at a cost of $64K.
• Wildfire in California, September 3 to 30, 20033 eventsLightning sparked numerous fire across Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino Counties. The fires grew rapidly in the dry, windy conditions. Over 50 total fires were ignited. By September 30, approximately 26,000 acres were burned.
• Wildfire in California, September 3, 2003$50,000 · 1 eventA brush fire burned power lines and self-storage units along Highway 91just north of Central Avenue.
• Wildfire in California, September 3, 20031 eventA brush fire burned 40 acres at Camp Pendleton. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported.
• Debris Flow and Hail in California, September 3, 2003$25,000 · 0.5 in hail · 4 eventsDuring the late afternoon of the 3rd convective activity brought a variety of threatening weather to the Lake Isabella area of Kern County and northward into the Tulare County Mountains.
• Wildfire in California, September 3 to 30, 20031 eventThe Albanita/Hooker Fire in Sequoia National Forest was lightning ignited on the 3rd. It burned 175 acres by the 30th as it was allowed to burn for resource benefits. No injuries were reported nor was any structure lost.
• Debris Flow in Kentucky, September 4, 20031 eventThere were two landslides blocking Kentucky Highway 11 near the Clay County line.
• Debris Flow in California, September 4, 2003$80,000 · 1 eventHeavy rains over the previous three days helped saturate the soil. A thunderstorm moving along the ridge top dropped another 0.60 inches of rain that triggered a landslide.
• Wildfire in California, September 5 to 30, 2003$824,000 · 1 eventHomers Nose 2 Fire in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Park was lightning ignited on the 5th and allowed to burn throughout the month. As of the 30th, it had consumed 230 acres at a cost of $824K with no fatalities or injuries nor structures lost.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 5 to 12, 20031 eventThe Bull Springs 2 Fire was a lightning sparked fire which burned 1,266 acres. The estimated cost of containing the blaze was $1,422,000.
• Wildfire in California, September 5 to 10, 20039 injured · $200,000 · 1 eventNamed the Bridge fire, it burned 1352 acres before being fully contained. It forced the evacuation of the towns of Fredalba, Smiley Park, Nob Hill, Enchanted Forest, and part of Running Springs, affecting more than 1000 residents.
• Debris Flow in Colorado, September 8, 20031 eventHeavy rain caused mud slides onto Interstate 70 about eight to ten miles east of Glenwood Springs between mile markers 124 and 126. Both east bound and west bound lanes of the interstate were closed for a couple of hours.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 12 to 14, 20033 eventsA Red Flag Warning was issued effective at the above times for fire weather zones 618/619, which includes nearly all of Curry county, a small part of southern Coos county, and a small part of western Josephine county. Strong offshore winds were expected.
• Wildfire in California, September 12 to 14, 20031 eventA Red Flag Warning was issued effective at the above times for fire weather zones 280, which includes western Siskiyou county.Strong offshore winds were expected.
• Wildfire in California, September 12 to 13, 20031 eventA brush fire consumed 175 acres before being controlled. No homes or structures were endangered and no injuries were reported.
• Wildfire in Idaho, September 13 to 15, 20031 event2600 SID fire east of Dietrich. Burned grass and sage. No structural damage.
• Wildfire in California, September 15 to 17, 2003$461,000 · 1 eventThe Michael Fire had an unknown ignition near Chimney Peak in southeast Tulare County. It consumed 388 acres at a cost of $460K. No fatalities occurred nor were structures lost.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, September 16 to 19, 20031 eventA controlled burn by the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company got out of hand near Waikapu on Maui when the wind carried some of the flames into nearby mountainous terrain.
• Wildfire in California, September 17, 20031 eventA brush fire consumed 40 acres and briefly threatened several homes in the Oak Hills subdivision of Hesperia. Lack of winds helped firefighters contain the blaze in a short period of time.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 21 to 23, 20033 eventsA Red Flag Warning effective at the above listed time was issued for an offshore wind event with poor overnight RH recoveries for Fire Weather zones 618/619/Western 620.
• Wildfire in California, September 21 to 23, 20031 eventA Red Flag Warning was issued effective at the above times for Fire Weather zone 280, which covers Western Siskiyou county. This warning verified at several RAWS stations in the area, including Slater Butte, Blue Ridge, and Collins Baldy.
• Wildfire in Idaho, September 21 to 23, 20031 event1000 acre Gannett fire burned sage and grass. No structural damage.
• Wildfire in California, September 23, 20031 eventA brush fire, combined with east winds gusting bear 30 mph, burned 110 acres in a dry wash. Homes were threatened along Elm Avenue near Oak Valley Parkway and in Three Rings Ranch Project.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, September 23 to 24, 20031 eventA fire scorched about 1100 acres of old sugar cane and pineapple fields near Waialua on Oahu. Several homes near the blaze had to be evacuated as a precaution, as flames came within 20 feet of three residences in Poamoho Estates and within 100 yards of homes along Hukilau Loop.
• Wildfire in Washington, September 24 to 30, 20031 eventThe Crystal Creek Fire was a lightning sparked fire which burned 1,584 acres. The fire became completely contained on October 14th.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 25 to 26, 20031 eventA Red Flag Warning was issued effective at the above times for fire weather zone 618, which covers the Curry county coast. This warning was for an expected offshore wind event with poor RH recoveries.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 26 to 27, 20034 eventsA Red Flag Warning, effective at the above times, was issued for the ridges of Fire Weather zones 620/621/623.
• Wildfire in Idaho, September 28 to 29, 20031 event400 acre East fork fire burned grass, sage and cottonwoods. No structural damage reported.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, September 30, 20031 eventA brush fire scorched about 200 acres in the Kalapana area of the Big Island of Hawaii. The fire threatened several homes in the Black Sands Beach subdivision, but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from doing damage to any structures.
• Wildfire in California, October 1 to 2, 2003$2.9 million · 1 eventThe Kibbee Complex Fire was allowed to burn for resource management since its ignition on July 20th. It burned a total of 10,100 acres with a final assessed cost of $2.9M.
• Wildfire in California, October 1 to 31, 2003$1.5 million · 1 eventThe Paradise 2 Fire was lightning ignited at 2300 PST on September 25th and had previously been reported as part of the Kaweah-Kern Complex in September Stormdata. By the end of October this specific fire had consumed 1,298 acres at a cost of $1.54M.
• Wildfire in California, October 1 to 31, 2003$807,000 · 1 eventThe Kaweah-Kern Complex of fires was lightning ignited late in July (includes the Williams, West Kern, Giant, Slide Bluffs, Bubbs, West Clover, High Bridge, East Fork, West Timber, Tar Gap 1 and Gap 2, Fry Pan, Soda Springs, and Homers Nose Fires ...
• Wildfire in California, October 1 to 31, 2003$150,000 · 1 eventThe Albanita/Hooker Fire in the Sequoia National Forest was lightning ignited on September 3rd and then allowed to burn for resource management benefits. It consumed 4,483 acres by the end of October at an estimated cost of $150K.
• Wildfire in California, October 1 to 3, 2003$100,000 · 1 eventThe Duncan Fire was ignited by lightning on July 19th and then allowed to burn for resource management purposes into October. It consumed 1,284 acres by October 3rd at a cost of $100K. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
• Wildfire in California, October 1 to 3, 2003$68,000 · 1 eventThe Cargyle Complex Fire in the high country of the Southern Sierra Nevada in Madera County was lightning ignited on the 3rd of September. It was allowed to burn past containment of 720 acres on the 3rd of October for resource management purposes.
• Wildfire in Washington, October 1 to 14, 20031 eventThe Crystal Creek Fire burned 1,584 acres. The fire was originally started by lightning on September 24th.
• Wildfire in California, October 1 to 5, 20031 injured · 1 eventNamed the Lytle Fire, this fire started at the end of the paved road next to an old shooting range. It burned 889 acres before being fully contained. No structures were threatened or lost. One fire fighter sustained a minor injury. Fire fighting costs were $620,000.
• Wildfire in California, October 1, 20031 eventA wildfire in the Mojave River bed consumed 10 acres of brush before being contained.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, October 4 to 5, 20031 eventA controlled cane fire jumped to nearby brush and eventually blackened 300 acres south of Puunene, 1 mile above the heliport near Mokulele Highway, on the island of Maui. The fire, however, did not force any evacuations or cause any serious injuries or property damage.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, October 5, 20031 eventA fire that began along the Hana Highway near Maliko Gulch burned 60 acres of brush on the island of Maui. For a time the blaze threatened homes near the intersection of Hana Highway and Apuwai Street.
• Debris Flow in Puerto Rico, October 6, 20031 eventHeavy rains in the afternoon caused a landside at the Espino Tabonuco sector of Lares municipality.
• Wildfire in California, October 12 to 15, 20031 eventA Red Flag Warning was issued at 1508 PDT on 10/12 and expired at 0730 PDT on 10/13 for expected dry and windy conditions in California fire weather zone 280 (western Siskiyou county).
• Wildfire in Hawaii, October 14 to 15, 20031 eventA fire scorched 400 acres of pasture land and brush south of Pukalani just off Kula Highway near Omaopio Road on the island of Maui.
• Wildfire in Minnesota, October 19, 2003$20,000 · 1 eventA wildfire burned 300 acres of grassland and also burned some small sheds. The fire came close to five homesteads, burning to less than 20 yards from two of them. One home had smoke damage from the fire.
• Debris Flow and Flood in Washington, October 20, 2003$1.8 million · 2 eventsA very deep plume of Pacific moisture impacted the Cascade Mountains beginning on the 19th of October. By the evening of the 20th, two to three inches of rain had fallen over the east slopes of the Cascades.
• Wildfire in California, October 21 to 29, 20031 eventNamed the Roblar 2 Fire, this fire was started by live ammunition training on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, and burned 8,592 acres before it was contained. The community of De Luz was evacuated as the fire jumped the permanent Roblar Fuel Firebreak.
• Wildfire in California, October 21 to 31, 20031 eventThe Padua Fire, aided by gusty Santa Ana winds, burned thousands of acres in Los Angeles County. As of the end of the month, the fire had yet to be fully contained. The fire had burned over 8,000 acres by the end of October.
• Wildfire in California, October 21 to 31, 200335 injured · $50 million · 1 eventNamed the Grand Prix Fire, this fire was started by arsonist on October 21, 2003. It burned 59,448 acres before being fully contained on November 5, 2003.
• Wildfire in California, October 21 to 24, 2003$2.5 million · 1 eventNamed the Pass Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist. It burned 2387 acres and destroyed 5 houses, 1 barn, 21 out buildings, and several vehicles. An additional 3 houses were damaged before the fire was fully controlled.
• Wildfire in California, October 23 to 31, 20031 eventThe Piru Fire, aided by gusty Santa Ana winds, burned thousands of acres in Ventura county. As of the end of October, the fire had yet to be fully contained. The fire burned over 60,000 acres of forest in Ventura County by the end of the month and destroyed one residence.
• Wildfire in Oregon, October 24 to 27, 20035 eventsA Red Flag Warning was issued for Oregon fire weather zones 619/620/621/622 effective at the above times. Fire weather zone 618 was added at 0950 PST on 10/25 and southern zone 623 was added at 1430 PST on 10/26.
• Wildfire in California, October 24 to 27, 20031 eventA Red Flag Warning was issued for expected dry and windy conditions in California fire weather zone 280 (western Siskiyou county) effective at the above times. This warning easily met criteria at the Slater Butte RAWS site.
• Wildfire in California, October 24 to 28, 20031 eventThe Verdale Fire, aided by gusty Santa Ana winds, burned 8,680 acres of land in the northwest portion of Los Angeles County. Fortunately, the fire did not destroy any residences or caused any injuries or deaths.
• Wildfire in California, October 25 to 31, 20034 deaths · 5 injured · $696 million · 1 eventNamed the Old Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist on October 25. It consumed 91,200 acres before it was fully contained on November 5, 2003.
• Wildfire in California, October 25 to 31, 20031 eventThe Simi Fire, aided by gusty Santa Ana winds, burned thousands of acres in Ventura County. As of the end of the month, the fire had yet to be fully contained. The fire had burned over 100,000 acres by the end of October and numerous residences.
• Wildfire in California, October 25 to 31, 200314 deaths · 90 injured · $1.0 billion · 1 eventNamed the Cedar Fire, this fire was started around sunset on October 25 by a lost hunter. Wind gusts from the northeast over 30 mph began within 2 hours of the fire's start.
• Wildfire in California, October 26 to 31, 20032 deaths · 18 injured · $77 million · 1 eventNamed the Paradise Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist on October 26, 2003. In October it consumed 56,000 acres, and destroyed 348 structures, 342 vehicles, and several miles of utility lines and highway infrastructure.
• Wildfire in California, October 26 to 31, 20037 injured · $6.0 million · 1 eventNamed the Mountain Fire, this fire began on October 26. It consumed 10,331 acres, and destroyed 21 houses and 40 outbuildings, and damaged another 3 residences before it was fully contained on November 2, 2003. Schools were closed in Hemet.
• Wildfire in California, October 26 to 30, 20031 injured · $500,000 · 1 eventNamed the Otay-Mine-Dulzura Fire, this fire consumed 46,291 acres and destroyed 1 house and 5 accessory buildings. It also damaged another 11 structures. Atmospheric conditions were favorable for rapid fire growth preceding and during the first three days of the fire.
• Wildfire in California, October 26 to 27, 20031 eventNamed the Wellman Fire, this fire consumed 1000 acres before being fully contained. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. High temperatures in the upper 90s, and relative humidity below 10 percent were present on the day of and the preceding days.
• Wildfire in Washington, October 28, 20031 eventSparks from a power line ignited a fire which grew to 400 acres. Strong winds contributed to the growth of the fire.
• Wildfire in Washington, October 28, 20031 eventStrong winds contributed to the growth of a 150 acre fire along Indian Church Road south of Granger, which threatened several homes. Fire crews were able to save the homes from fire damage. The fire was ignited by sparks from a prior burn that wasn't fully extinguished.
• Wildfire in Oregon, October 28, 2003$240,000 · 1 eventHigh winds in the Echo area contributed to a wildfire which ignited a haystack, consisting of 2,000 tons of alfalfa. Two flatbed truck trailers were also destroyed by the flames. The fire was caused by a controlled burn earlier in the day next to an irrigation ditch.
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 5, 20032 deaths · 7 injured · $279 million · 1 eventThe Old Fire, which began on October 25, was not fully contained until November 5. During the first few days of November, another 2 deaths and 7 injuries occurred and 143 structures were lost.
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 16, 200323 injured · $17 million · 1 eventThe Cedar Fire, which began on October 25, was not fully contained until November 16.
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 15, 20036 injured · $22 million · 1 eventThe Paradise Fire, which began on October 26, was not fully contained until November 15, 2003 During the first few days of November, another 700 acres was consumed, 67 structures and 75 vehicles destroyed, 6 injuries occurred, and additional damage occurred to 15 structures, 10…
• Wildfire in California, November 1, 20031 eventThe Piru Fire, which burned 63,991 acres of land in the mountains just north of Piru, was finally fully contained.
• Wildfire in California, November 1, 20031 eventThe Simi Fire, which burned 108,204 acres of land north of Simi Valley, was finally fully contained.
• Wildfire in California, November 1, 20031 eventThe Padua Fire, which burned 10.446 acres in the Angeles National Forest, was finally fully contained.
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 5, 20031 eventThe Grand Prix Fire, which began on October 21, 2003, was not fully contained until November 5. Though it was still active until November 13, no additional damage, injuries, or fatalities occurred after October 31.
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 2, 20031 eventThe Mountain Fire, which began on October 26, was not fully contained until November 2. No additional acreage was reported burned or structures damaged nor injuries in November. The total cost of fighting the fire was estimated at $1.8 million.
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 8, 20031 eventThe Kaweah-Kern Complex of fires was lightning ignited late in July (includes the Williams, West Kern, Giant, Slide Bluffs, Bubbs, West Clover, High Bridge, East Fork, West Timber, Tar Gap 1 and Gap 2, Fry Pan, Soda Springs, and Homers Nose Fires).
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 8, 20031 eventThe Albanita/Hooker Fire was ignited September 3rd by lightning and allowed to burn as resource management burn until closed on the 8th of November. Its total cost was $150K and it consumed 4483 acres in the Sequoia National Forest.
• Wildfire in California, November 1 to 8, 20031 eventThe Paradise 2 Fire was lightning ignited at 2300 PST on September 25th and had previously been reported as part of the Kaweah-Kern Complex in September Stormdata.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, November 2 to 3, 20031 eventA brush fire, of an unknown but suspicious origin, burned 100 acres of mainly trees and grass near Koko Crater at the Koko Head District Park.
• Debris Flow in Puerto Rico, November 2, 2003$120,000 · 1 eventThree houses in Manati were affected by a large landslide.
• Wildfire in Oregon, November 11, 2003$16,000 · 1 eventSustained winds between 20 and 30 MPH blew a controlled burn just outside of Hermiston out of control. A tractor along with four tons of hay were destroyed in the blaze.
• Debris Flows and Flooding in Puerto Rico, November 13, 200314 eventsRiver Culebrinas was reported out of its banks near Chaletis Convention Center in the municipality of San Sebastian.
• Debris Flow and Flooding in Puerto Rico, November 14, 20035 eventsSeveral flooded houses were reported in the municipality of Cabo Rojo.
• Debris Flow in Puerto Rico, November 16, 20031 eventSeveral landslides were reported in the municipality of Barranquitas.
• Debris Flow in Puerto Rico, November 17, 20031 eventA landslide was reported along road 143 from Orocovis to Barranquitas.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, November 18 to 20, 2003$15,000 · 1 eventA brush fire blackened 300 acres of native plants and trees in leeward Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii. The fire began when a worker for Forest Solutions, Inc., accidently set dry grass on fire while using a torch to heat irrigation pipe joints.

Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 2003Tornadoes in 2003

NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.