Wildfires have left an indelible mark on the American landscape, reshaping ecosystems, destroying communities, and claiming countless lives.
The largest wildfire in U.S. history â the Great Fire of 1910 â was an inferno of unprecedented scale, which left millions of acres burned and altered the course of forest management forever.
From the largest forest fire in U.S. history to the worst fire in American history in terms of lives lost, these catastrophic events captivate and caution us.
This article casts light on the largest wildfires, their causes, and their devastating impacts, both in the U.S. and globally.
Weâll explore âŚ
- ⢠What Causes Wildfires
- ⢠Largest Wildfires in U.S. and World History
- ⢠Most Destructive Fires in U.S. and World History
- ⢠Deadliest Fires in U.S. and World History
⌠all while offering practical steps to prepare for and support recovery from wildfires.
Whether youâre seeking to understand what is the largest forest fire in U.S. history or how to protect your home during fire season, read on for how some of the worst fires in recorded history took place.
What Causes Wildfires?
Wildfires are complex events triggered by a mix of natural and human factors. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, on average 85% of annual wildfires in the U.S. are human-caused, with fires started by negligence or equipment failures leading the charge.
Understanding what causes wildfires is critical to prevention.
Human Negligence
Unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, equipment sparks, and deliberate acts of arson all contribute to the 85% of wildfires caused by humans on average each year.
Societal factors can influence the number of fires in a particular year. For example, when the pandemic caused people to isolate and social distance in 2020, many sought relief in the outdoors.
One study showed that this caused a 36% increase in the number of recreation-caused fires.
Lightning Strikes
Natural lightning strikes ignite 10 to 15% of wildfires.
Studies vary, and some data suggests lightning is responsible for up to two-thirds of wildfires. Either way, as one source points out, âWhile humans still cause most fires either by accident or arson, lightning-caused wildfires burn the most acreage.
“Nearly 70% of the wildfire-burned land in the West [resulted] from lightning-sparked fires, according to a previous study. For example, the largest wildfire burn area in California history occurred in August 2020 after dry lightning ignited many wildfires at once.â
Utility Equipment and Power Lines
Faulty power lines and electrical equipment cause 5% of wildfires but have outsized impacts.
The 2018 Camp Fire, sparked by PG&E equipment, burned 153,336 acres. Total damage was eventually estimated at $422 billion, making it the most destructive fire in U.S. history.
Arson
Intentional fires may account for as much as 20% of human-caused wildfires in some areas, and an even higher percentage in others.
Climate Conditions
Prolonged droughts, high winds, and rising temperatures amplify fire risks. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, in 2021, the United States experienced 58,985 wildfires that burned more than 7.1 million acres, fueled by climate conditions.
These factors, combined with dry vegetation and urban expansion, create perfect conditions for megafires that burn millions of acres of land and reshape entire regions.
The Power of Preparedness
Ensure your family is protected in the face of unexpected challenges with our Disaster Preparedness Guide.
Topics Include:
â Family Communication Plan
â Evacuation Plans
â Care for Pets
â Weather Monitoring
Download Our Disaster Preparedness Guide!
Start your journey to preparedness now and download the guide to learn practical steps for facing any disaster confidently.
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Largest Wildfire in U.S. History
The largest wildfire in U.S. history â known as the Great Fire of 1910, or the Big Blowup â roared through Idaho, Montana, and Washington, consuming a staggering 3 million acres, or roughly 4,700 square miles.
This largest forest fire in American history, driven by drought, high winds, and logging debris, claimed 87 lives, mostly among the firefighters trying to contain it, and destroyed entire towns.
Its sheer scale, equivalent to burning most of the state of Connecticut, led to the creation of modern U.S. Forest Service policies, emphasizing fire suppression.
But, for perspective, the worst wildfire in history in the world burned more than 90 times the area of the Great Fire of 1910.
The New South Wales Bushfires in Australia in 1974 and 1975 collectively burned 289 million acres, the equivalent of more than 90 Great Fire of 1910 events.
Other notable wildfires in U.S. history include:
August Complex Fire (2020)
This California megafire, sparked by lightning strikes, burned 1,032,648 acres (1,614 square miles). It was the largest wildfire in California history and the first to surpass a million acres.
Dixie Fire (2021)
Ravaging 963,309 acres in Northern California, it ranks as the second-largest in state history, fueled by drought and high winds.
Yellowstone Fires (1988)
These fires scorched 793,880 acres across Yellowstone National Park, costing $120 million to contain and reshaping public perception of wildfires.
Smokehouse Creek Fire (2024)
Burning more than 1.2 million acres in Texas and Oklahoma, it became the largest in Texas history, driven by dry grasslands and strong winds.
These wildfires burned vast swaths of land, highlighting the growing intensity of fires in U.S. history due to climate conditions and human activity.
Largest Wildfire in World History
Globally, the largest fire in world history is Australiaâs New South Wales Bushfires in 1974 and 1975 â equivalent to more than 451,000 square miles, or larger than California and Texas combined.
Fueled by drought and lightning strikes, these fires released massive carbon emissions. The biggest fire in world history by area, it dwarfs even the largest forest fire in U.S. history.
Other significant global wildfires include:
2003 Siberian Taiga Fires
Though largely burning through unpopulated areas, this collective fire scorched more than 55 million acres, the largest regional blaze in more than 100 years.
2019â2020 Australian Bushfires
By some estimates, these fires burned about 50 million acres across Australia, killing 33 people and destroying more than 3,000 homes.
1987 Black Dragon Fire (China/Russia)
This fire scorched 18 million acres, one of the worst fires in world history, with a death toll of over 200.
These events underscore the global scale of the worst wildfires in history, driven by similar factors as U.S. fires but on a massive scale.
Most Destructive Fire in U.S. History
The Camp Fire (2018) holds the grim title of the most destructive fire in U.S. history.
Devastating Paradise, California, it destroyed 18,804 structures, including almost 14,000 homes, and burned 153,336 acres.
Sparked by faulty power lines, it initially caused $16.5 billion in damages and displaced thousands. A later estimate of associated damage placed the total cost at $422 billion.
The Camp Fireâs rapid spread, fueled by high winds, made it a textbook destructive fire.
Other most destructive wildfires in U.S. history include:
Tubbs Fire (2017)
This fire in Californiaâs Sonoma, Napa, and Lake counties destroyed 5,643 structures, burned 36,810 acres, and killed 22 people, with damages exceeding $1.2 billion.
Cedar Fire (2003)
Burning 280,278 acres in San Diego County, it demolished 2,820 structures and killed 15 people, becoming one of the worst fires in California.
Great Michigan Fires (1881)
These fires on a peninsula called the Thumb destroyed more than 3,400 structures, killed more than 280 people, and burned about 1 million acres.
These fires highlight the economic and emotional toll of wildfires in U.S. history, with recovery efforts lasting years.
Most Destructive Fire in World History
The 2019-2020 Australian Bushfires are collectively considered the most destructive fire in world history due to their widespread impact. Burning some 50 million acres, they destroyed more than 3,000 homes and killed 33 people.
Later studies suggested the death toll was in the hundreds due to widespread smoke inhalation. The fires decimated wildlife, with an estimated 1 billion animals killed. And, fueled by record heat and drought, the fires produced smoke that circled the globe, making them a global destructive fire.
Other destructive global fires include:
2018 Attica Fires (Greece)
Destroying over 1,600 homes and killing 100 people, it was one of the worst urban fires, although nowhere near what some consider to be the worst fire in world history for urban areas â the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
1997 Indonesian Fires
Burning 24 million acres, these firesâ collective haze affected millions and caused $4.5 billion in damages.
These fires rival the most destructive wildfires in U.S. history in their societal and environmental toll.
Deadliest Fires in U.S. History
The Peshtigo Fire (1871) remains the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history, with a death toll of more than 1,200 in Wisconsin.
Fueled by drought, high winds, and logging debris, it obliterated the town of Peshtigo in hours, coinciding with the Great Chicago Fire but overshadowing it in lethality.
Other deadly fires in U.S. history include:
Moose Lake & Cloquet Fire (1918)
This fire took an estimated 1,000 lives in Minnesota, driven by dry conditions and railroad sparks.
Great Fire of 1910
The Great Fire of 1910 claimed 87 lives, primarily firefighters, across Idaho and Montana.
Camp Fire (2018)
Killing 85 people, the Camp Fire was the deadliest wildfire in California history, with most victims unable to escape the rapid blaze.
These tragedies emphasize the human cost of fire in U.S. history and the need for early warning systems.
Deadliest Fires in World History
A series of Tokyo fires in 1923, spawned by an earthquake, killed more than 140,000 people.
Other deadly global wildfires include:
2009 Black Saturday Bushfires (Australia)
Killing 173 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes, this was one of the worst fires in world history.
1987 Black Dragon Fire (China/Russia)
This fire, exacerbated by remote terrain, claimed more than 200 lives.
These fires, like the deadliest fires in U.S. history, highlight the vulnerability of communities to rapid fire spread.
Next Steps: Preparing for and Supporting Wildfire Recovery
As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, proactive steps can save lives and reduce damage.
Hereâs how to prepare for fire season and support those affected by wildfires across the globe:
1. Create a Defensible Space
Clear away flammable vegetation within 30 feet of your home. Remove debris and use fire-resistant plants to protect your property.
2. Prepare an Evacuation Plan
Pack a go-bag with essentials (medications, documents, clothes) and practice evacuation routes. Visit Ready.gov for templates and checklists to ensure readiness.
4. Advocate for Prevention
Support policies for controlled burns, upgraded power lines, and climate action to reduce the risk of fires. Community advocacy can prevent the next worst wildfire in history.
5. Support Recovery Efforts
Donate to organizations like Convoy of Hope or local wildfire relief funds. Volunteer with rebuilding efforts or provide supplies to displaced families. Convoy of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit organization combating poverty and hunger around the world.
As part of its mission, Convoy assists communities impacted by wildfires. You can learn more about Convoy and wildfires here and here.
By taking these steps, you can protect your home and help communities recover from the next wildfires they face.
The Power of Preparedness
Ensure your family is protected in the face of unexpected challenges with our Disaster Preparedness Guide.
Topics Include:
â Family Communication Plan
â Evacuation Plans
â Care for Pets
â Weather Monitoring
Download Our Disaster Preparedness Guide!
Start your journey to preparedness now and download the guide to learn practical steps for facing any disaster confidently.
“*” indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields
