Updated 8:15 a.m. Aug. 24: The LNU Lightning Complex, which burned four UC Davis natural reserves, had been 22 percent contained as of this morning, according to Cal Fire. The fires had covered 350,000 acres across five counties.

UC Davis properties account for half of the eight in the UC Natural Reserve System that have been burned or threatened by wildfires in Northern and Central California over the last week.

As of this morning (Aug. 23), flames had consumed an untold number of acres of grassland, forest, chaparral and other natural habitats, and destroyed nine structures on UC reserves. All of the structural losses occurred at UC Davis’ Quail Ridge at the south end of Lake Berryessa, where flames leveled the home of the reserve’s director, Shane Waddell, and eight tent cabins used by visiting classes.

A lightning storm Tuesday (Aug. 18) is blamed for the flames at Quail Ridge, Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, Cahill Riparian Preserve and McLaughlin Natural Reserve, all managed by UC Davis Natural Reserves. More dry lightning is in the forecast today through Tuesday (Aug. 23-25).

“Wildfires are one of the natural processes that define California’s ecosystems, but enduring so many large, catastrophic fires at the same time is unprecedented for the NRS,” said Peggy Fiedler, executive director of the UC Natural Reserve System.

Jeffrey Clary, associate director of UC Davis Natural Reserves, said: “The losses were terrible this time, especially for Shane and his family. We’re relieved and thankful that our evacuation and communication plans kept everyone safe.”

Read the full article here: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/wildfires-ravage-natural-reserve-system