Major U.S. wildfires: a searchable history

The deadliest, largest, and most destructive wildfires in modern U.S. history — searchable by name, state, or year. The facts behind each, and what they reveal about wildfire risk today.

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37 major wildfires

Palisades Fire

2025 · CA

Los Angeles County (Pacific Palisades)

Acres

23,448

Deaths

12

Structures

6,800

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Eaton Fire

2025 · CA

Los Angeles County (Altadena)

Acres

14,021

Deaths

17

Structures

9,400

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Grand Canyon Fire (Dragon Bravo)

2025 · AZ

Grand Canyon North Rim (Coconino County)

Acres

5,000

Deaths

0

Structures

70

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Park Fire

2024 · CA

Butte & Tehama Counties

Acres

429,603

Deaths

0

Structures

709

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Smokehouse Creek Fire

2024 · TX

Texas Panhandle (Hutchinson County)

Acres

1,058,482

Deaths

2

Structures

138

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Lahaina Fire (Maui)

2023 · HI

Maui (Lahaina)

Acres

2,170

Deaths

102

Structures

2,200

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Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire

2022 · NM

San Miguel & Mora Counties

Acres

341,735

Deaths

0

Structures

903

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McKinney Fire

2022 · CA

Siskiyou County (Klamath National Forest)

Acres

60,138

Deaths

4

Structures

185

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Marshall Fire

2021 · CO

Boulder County (Louisville, Superior)

Acres

6,026

Deaths

2

Structures

1,084

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Dixie Fire

2021 · CA

Northern Sierra (Butte, Plumas, Lassen)

Acres

963,309

Deaths

1

Structures

1,329

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Caldor Fire

2021 · CA

El Dorado County (near Lake Tahoe)

Acres

221,835

Deaths

0

Structures

1,003

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Bootleg Fire

2021 · OR

Klamath & Lake Counties

Acres

413,765

Deaths

0

Structures

161

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August Complex Fire

2020 · CA

Mendocino & 6 other counties

Acres

1,032,648

Deaths

1

Structures

935

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Glass Fire

2020 · CA

Napa & Sonoma Counties

Acres

67,484

Deaths

0

Structures

1,520

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Creek Fire

2020 · CA

Fresno & Madera Counties (Sierra National Forest)

Acres

379,895

Deaths

0

Structures

853

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Bobcat Fire

2020 · CA

Los Angeles County (San Gabriel Mountains)

Acres

115,997

Deaths

0

Structures

87

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North Complex Fire

2020 · CA

Plumas, Butte & Yuba Counties

Acres

318,935

Deaths

16

Structures

2,455

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Cameron Peak Fire

2020 · CO

Larimer County (Roosevelt National Forest)

Acres

208,913

Deaths

0

Structures

469

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East Troublesome Fire

2020 · CO

Grand County (Rocky Mountain National Park)

Acres

193,812

Deaths

2

Structures

580

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LNU Lightning Complex

2020 · CA

Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Solano & Yolo Counties

Acres

363,220

Deaths

6

Structures

1,491

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SCU Lightning Complex

2020 · CA

Santa Clara, Alameda, Stanislaus & 3 other counties

Acres

396,624

Deaths

0

Structures

222

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Almeda Fire

2020 · OR

Jackson County (Talent & Phoenix)

Acres

3,200

Deaths

3

Structures

2,600

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Kincade Fire

2019 · CA

Sonoma County

Acres

77,758

Deaths

0

Structures

374

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Camp Fire

2018 · CA

Butte County (Paradise)

Acres

153,336

Deaths

85

Structures

18,804

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Woolsey Fire

2018 · CA

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties (Malibu)

Acres

96,949

Deaths

3

Structures

1,643

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Carr Fire

2018 · CA

Shasta County (Redding)

Acres

229,651

Deaths

8

Structures

1,614

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Mendocino Complex Fire

2018 · CA

Mendocino, Lake, Colusa & Glenn Counties

Acres

459,123

Deaths

1

Structures

280

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Tubbs Fire

2017 · CA

Napa & Sonoma Counties (Santa Rosa)

Acres

36,807

Deaths

22

Structures

5,636

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Thomas Fire

2017 · CA

Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties

Acres

281,893

Deaths

2

Structures

1,063

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Gatlinburg (Chimney Tops 2) Fire

2016 · TN

Sevier County (Gatlinburg)

Acres

17,140

Deaths

14

Structures

2,500

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Yarnell Hill Fire

2013 · AZ

Yavapai County (Yarnell)

Acres

8,400

Deaths

19

Structures

127

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Black Forest Fire

2013 · CO

El Paso County (Black Forest)

Acres

14,280

Deaths

2

Structures

511

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Rim Fire

2013 · CA

Stanislaus National Forest & Yosemite

Acres

257,314

Deaths

0

Structures

112

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Waldo Canyon Fire

2012 · CO

El Paso County (Colorado Springs)

Acres

18,247

Deaths

2

Structures

347

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Witch Fire

2007 · CA

San Diego County

Acres

197,990

Deaths

2

Structures

1,650

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Cedar Fire

2003 · CA

San Diego County

Acres

273,246

Deaths

15

Structures

2,820

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Tunnel Fire (Oakland Hills)

1991 · CA

Oakland & Berkeley Hills

Acres

1,520

Deaths

25

Structures

2,900

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These fires share a lesson: location and hardening decide survival

In nearly every one, embers and wind — not a wall of flame — destroyed homes. See your own home’s wildfire risk score, and the steps that lower it.

Check my home’s wildfire risk score →Wildfires burning now →

Major U.S. wildfires — frequently asked

What was the deadliest U.S. wildfire?

In this index, the Lahaina Fire (Maui) (2023) in Maui (Lahaina), Hawaii is the deadliest, with approximately 102 lives lost. The Lahaina Fire on Maui was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Fanned by hurricane-force winds, it destroyed the historic town of Lahaina almost entirely and killed over 100 people.

What is the most destructive California wildfire?

By structures destroyed in this index, the Camp Fire (2018) in Butte County (Paradise) destroyed approximately 18,804 structures. Deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history.

What caused the recent California fires?

The most recent California fire in this index, the Palisades Fire (2025), was attributed to: Under investigation.

Figures are approximate and compiled from official agency reporting (CAL FIRE, NIFC, and state/county sources); totals for recent fires may still be revised. Each fire page links to authoritative sources where available.