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Eye-Opening Numbers Reveal California's Intense Battle with Dangerous 2015 Fire Season | The Weather Channel
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Wildfire Safety and Preparedness

California's 2015 fire season has resulted in several eye-opening statistics, from thousands of acres burned to the number of firefighters battling the blazes.

ByCarolyn Williams•August 13, 2015




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California is a picture of smoldering ashes and roaring flames, locked in a seemingly neverending battle against a fire season of epic proportions.  

Currently, firefighters are battling 16 blazes across the state, many of which have burned thousands of acres and forced multiple residents to flee their homes, according to CalFire. 

“We have a long road ahead of us. Our most large and damaging fires are usually much farther down the road — September and October. We're already seeing these types of burning conditions," Capt. Amy Head of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told the Los Angeles Times. 

The following are some eye-opening numbers, revealing just how devastating this fire season has already been for the Golden State. 

4,382: Wildfires in California since Jan. 1


More than 4,300 fires burned in California from Jan. 1 through Aug. 8, 2015. It's a sizeable increase from 2014, which had seen 3,047 by this time, according to CalFire. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson)


117,960: Acres Burned since Jan. 1, 2015


The fires have consumed nearly 120,000 acres of California land through Aug. 8, which is another large increase from last year. CalFire said 87,988 acres burned in 2014. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)


$209 Million: Estimated Cost


The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has already spent more than $200 million on expenditures including fuel, firefighting crews, aircraft and vehicles. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)


69,438: Acres Burned by the Rocky Fire


The Rocky fire is California's largest to date. It's destroyed 43 homes and 53 outbuildings. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)


50: Number of States that have Sent Firefighters


All 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, have sent firefighters to California. Veteran fire officials told the L.A. Times they've never seen this happen before. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson)


11,000+: Firefighters Currently Battling Blazes


These firefighters are battling the fires day and night. (AP Photo/Terry Chea)


4: Years California has been Trapped in Long-Term Drought


California is in the middle of a historic drought that has prompted harsh water restrictions, a depletion of water resources and other consequences. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)


2: Firefighters Killed in California in 2015


Firefighter Michael Hallenbeck, 21, was killed near Lake Tahoe when a tree fell on him and a fellow firefighter. Dave Ruhl, 38, died in Modoc National Forest after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)


MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Western Wildfires - July/August 2015 


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Dennis Godfrey, with the Great Basin Incident Management Team 4, walks across a bridge from the Gorge Powerhouse, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, near Newhalem, Wash. Smoky conditions grounded helicopters and airplanes Wednesday that had been fighting the fires. (Mark Mulligan/The Herald/AP)


 

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