Washington Wildfire History
The major wildfires that shaped Washington — and why today’s risk looks the way it does. The largest on this list, the 2015 Okanogan Complex, burned about 300K acres.
Check your WA address’s risk →Major Washington wildfires
- 2015
Okanogan Complex
· 300,000 acresBurned across north-central Washington; three firefighters died.
- 2015
Chelan Complex
· 90,000 acresDestroyed homes and businesses around Lake Chelan.
- 2015
Sleepy Hollow Fire
· 3,000 acresBurned into Wenatchee, destroying ~30 homes and several warehouses.
- 2014
Carlton Complex
· 256,000 acresThe largest single wildfire in Washington history, in the Methow Valley.
Figures are rounded from official sources (CAL FIRE, NIFC, state forestry agencies) for well-documented incidents. For the full federal record, see InciWeb and NIFC.
Washington wildfire history — frequently asked
What was the largest wildfire in Washington history?
The largest wildfire on this Washington timeline is the 2015 Okanogan Complex, which burned about 300,000 acres. Burned across north-central Washington; three firefighters died.
What was the most recent major wildfire in Washington?
The most recent major fire on this Washington timeline is the 2015 Okanogan Complex. Burned across north-central Washington; three firefighters died.
How many major wildfires has Washington had?
This Washington timeline documents 4 major recorded wildfires, from the 2014 to the 2015, drawn from official sources.
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