River Fire (2021)

River Fire
A large gray and white plume of smoke rises in the distance beyond a line of trees, seen from behind the windshield of a vehicle at an intersection
Smoke column rising from the River Fire at roughly 5:00 p.m. on August 4, 2021
Date(s)
  • August 4, 2021 (2021-08-04)
  • August 13, 2021 (2021-08-13)
LocationPlacer County and Nevada County, Northern California
Coordinates39°05′17″N 121°00′54″W / 39.088°N 121.015°W / 39.088; -121.015
Statistics
Burned area2,619 acres (1,060 ha; 4 sq mi; 11 km2)
Impacts
Non-fatal injuries4
Evacuated>7,000
Structures destroyed142
Ignition
CauseHuman-caused
Map
The River Fire burned just to the west of Colfax and the Interstate 80 corridor
The River Fire burned just to the west of Colfax and the Interstate 80 corridor
River Fire (2021) is located in California
River Fire (2021)
The general location of the River Fire in Northern California

The River Fire was a destructive 2021 wildfire that burned 2,619 acres (1,060 ha) near Colfax in Nevada County and Placer County, California. The fire broke out on August 4, 2021, and burned 2,619 acres (1,060 ha) before it was fully contained on August 13, 2021.[1] The River Fire destroyed 142 structures, damaged 21 more, and resulted in four injuries to firefighters and civilians.[1] It was the fifth most destructive fire of California's 2021 wildfire season. The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but it was determined to have been of human origin by investigators who traced the ignition to a campground by the Bear River west of Colfax.

  1. ^ a b "River Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.