Officials say the recent California wildfires have burned more area than a devastating series of blazes in October 2003.

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services said Monday that the earlier fires burned 1,155 square miles. The new fires have burned nearly 1,300 square miles since June 21.

Officials say the milestone is significant because it indicates the resources needed to fight the blazes.

The emergency services office says it's the single largest fire event in the history of California.

The state defines a "fire event" as a group of blazes within a common location or time period.