Ponderosa Fire

Ponderosa Fire
A California Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter drops a bucket of water on the Ponderosa Fire on August 24
Date(s)
  • August 18, 2012 (2012-08-18)
  • August 31, 2012 (2012-08-31)
LocationNorthern California
Statistics
Burned area27,676 acres (11,200 ha; 43 sq mi; 112 km2)
Impacts
Non-fatal injuries7
Structures destroyed
  • 52 residences
  • 81 outbuildings
Ignition
CauseLightning

The Ponderosa Fire was a destructive wildfire during the 2012 California wildfire season. While the fire only burned 27,676 acres (11,200 ha), it destroyed 133 structures, the most of any fire that year for the state. At the height of the fire on August 24, over 2,300 firefighters were involved in the suppression effort, which also included 254 fire engines, 46 bulldozers and 54 water tenders.

The fire started at around 11:30 a.m. PDT,on August 18, 2012. The fire was ignited by a lightning strike west of the community of Manton.