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Worst Wildfires in U.S. History

September 15, 2021
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Matt Mehallow

Throughout the history of the United States, wildfires have always been a natural and beneficial part of the country’s natural ecosystems, particularly across California and the West, though many legendary wildfires have also occurred across the Northern Plains and Midwest. Each significant wildfire discussed below shows that despite the passage of time, the destructive power of fire remains constant and a threat to Americans’ lives and property. 

The Great Fire of 1910

On August 20 and 21, 1910, the fire, also known as the Big Blowup, burned through three million acres in northern Idaho and western Montana, devastating the landscape. An ongoing drought and severe lightning storms in June ignited numerous fires in the mountainous forest region between Montana and Idaho. Throughout July, the U.S. Forest Service successfully contained these fires, but on August 20, a dry cold front brought strong winds into the region. Winds of up to 70 miles per hour whipped the flames into a fury as individual blazes merged to generate a huge conflagration. Eighty-seven people died, mostly firefighters on the front lines of the fire. The fire is believed to be the largest wildfire in U.S. history and had a deep impact on national fire policy. The Forest Service passed policies to achieve the singular goal to stamp out all fires. The passing of the Forest Fires Emergency Act in 1908 authorized limitless spending on fire suppression, so the U.S. Forest Service could continue its firefighting efforts to prevent wildfires from being allowed to burn uncontrolled.

1871 Peshtigo Fire

On October 8, 1871, the deadliest forest fire in American history swept through northeast Wisconsin, killing about 1,500 people while another 1,500 were seriously injured and at least 3,000 made homeless. In just two hours, the fire destroyed a large swath of forest 10 miles wide and 40 miles long and obliterated the towns of Peshtigo and Brussels. The fire is believed to have been triggered by small fires used for land-clearing that escalated out of control and created a firestorm. Prolonged drought and logging contributed to its severity and the fire was made far worse by a cold front that moved in from the west, bringing strong winds of up to 110 mph that fanned the fires. The property loss was estimated at $5,000,000.

The Great Hinckley Fire of 1894

On the afternoon of September 1, 1894, a fire raged across Minnesota, burning over 300 square miles, including the town of Hinckley. The area had already experienced a two-month drought with high temperatures, and small fires started in the pine forests in the area. Cut branches from logged trees provided ready fuel for the fires, which combined to produce the blaze, resulting in enormous destruction and over 418 deaths.

The 1918 Cloquet Fire

On October 12, 1918, a forest fire began on the railroad line between Duluth and Hibbing, Minn., and then burned for the next three days across the northern Minnesota landscape, including Duluth. The fire was devastating, primarily impacting Moose Lake, Cloquet, and Kettle River. In all, 38 towns and villages were destroyed by the fire. 453 deaths were reported, and another 85 people were seriously burned. Four thousand houses, 6,000 barns and 40 schools all went up in flames. Hundreds of thousands of farm animals perished in the fire and the region suffered close to $100 million in damages.

Griffith Park Fire of 1933

The Griffith Park Fire in Los Angeles, Calif., left 29 firefighters dead who were trying to put out the blaze that started as a brush fire that spread up the Mineral Wells Canyon and burned through 47 acres. The Griffith Park Fire was the deadliest wildfire in California history until 2018’s Camp Fire.

2013 Yarnell Hill Fire

The Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona scorched through 8,400 acres and killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group within the Prescott Fire Department whose mission was to fight wildfires. The wildfire was sparked by lightning and spread by gusty winds and extremely dry conditions caused by a drought. The wildfire produced $664 million in damage and was the deadliest wildfire in Arizona history.

2003 Cedar Fire

The Cedar Fire in San Diego burned through 273,246 acres, killing 15 people, including one firefighter. The blaze caused over a $1 billion in destruction and was started in the Cleveland National Forest by a hunter signaling for help. It rapidly spread due to the Santa Ana Winds and destroyed nearly 3,000 structures, including 2,232 homes.

2018 Camp Fire

In Butte County, a fire started the morning of November 8, 2018, and burned a total of 153,336 acres, destroying 18,804 structures and resulting in 85 civilian fatalities and several firefighter injuries over nearly three weeks. The Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history. It was determined that the Camp Fire was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electricity (PG&E) located in the Pulga, Calif., area. The tinder dry vegetation and Red Flag conditions consisting of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures promoted this fire and caused extreme rates of spread. The total damage was estimated at $16.5 billion.

Wildfires have a long and deadly history in the United States, and with climate change creating warmer, drier conditions, resulting in increased drought and a longer fire season, the risk of wildfires will only grow in the future. This heightens the need for increased resilience from communities, builders, homeowners, and forest managers to help reduce the likelihood and impacts of wildfires by practicing proper forest fire prevention measures.

Sources: www. nps.gov, www.nifc.gov