Top 10 Largest Wildfires in History

Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, but they can also be devastating. Wildfires have become more frequent, intense, and destructive due to climate change. In 2020 alone, there were 10.3 million acres burned in the United States, the highest number since records began in 1983. The fires caused an estimated $20 billion in damage and destroyed over 10,000 homes.

In this article, we will look into the list of the top 10 largest wildfires in history.

List of Top 10 Largest Wildfires in History

The following table lists the top 10 largest wildfires in history:

Ranking	Fire Name	Year	Location	Area Burned (Acres)
1	The Great Fire of 1910	1910	Idaho, Montana, Washington	3,000,000
2	Siberian Taiga Fires	2019	Siberia, Russia	2,700,000
3	Australia Bushfires (2019-20)	2019	Australia	2,500,000
4	Chinchaga Fire	1950	Alberta, British Columbia	1,400,000
5	Thomas Fire	2017	California, USA	281,893
6	Cedar Fire	2003	California, USA	273,246
7	Rush Fire	2012	California, USA	271,911
8	Witch Fire	2007	California, USA	197,990
9	2007 Greek Forest Fires	2007	Greece	180,000
10	Black Saturday Bushfires	2009	Victoria, Australia	173,000

10. Black Saturday Bushfires

The Black Saturday bushfires were a series of wildfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on February 7, 2009.

• The fires were fueled by extreme heat, strong winds, and dry conditions. They burned over 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) of land, destroyed 2,029 homes, and killed 173 people.
• The fires began on February 6, 2009, in the Kinglake National Park. They were fanned by strong winds and quickly spread to other areas of Victoria. The fires burned for several days and were not brought under control until February 10, 2009.
• The Black Saturday bushfires had a devastating impact on the communities affected. Many people lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their loved ones. The fires also caused significant environmental damage.
• The Black Saturday bushfires were a reminder of the dangers of bushfires. They also highlighted the need for better preparedness and response measures.

9. 2007 Greek Forest Fires

The 2007 Greek forest fires were the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in Greece in recorded history.

• The fires burned over 670,000 acres of land, destroyed 1,000 homes and 1,100 other buildings, and damaged hundreds more.
• The fires also killed 84 people, including 67 in the month of August alone.
• The fires began in June and continued through September, but were most dangerous in August.
• The fires were fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, and they spread rapidly. The fires were so intense that they were visible from space.
• The fires caused extensive damage to the environment, destroying forests, wildlife habitats, and ecosystems. The fires also had a major impact on the economy, as they destroyed tourist infrastructure and agricultural land.

8. Witch Fire

The Witch Fire of 2007 is the 8th largest wildfire in modern California history and the seventh most destructive wildfire in the state.

• It began in Witch Creek Canyon on October 21, 2007 and spread west, merging with the Guejito Fire on October 22.
• The Witch Fire caused at least $1.142 billion in insured damages in 2007, which is equivalent to $1.612 billion in 2022.
• The Witch Fire, also known as the Witch Creek Fire, was a wildfire that burned 197,990 acres of land in San Diego County in 2007.
• The fire was caused by powerful Santa Ana winds and quickly spread west.

7. Rush Fire

The Rush Fire was the largest wildfire of the 2012 California wildfire season.

• The fire, which started in Lassen County, California, eventually spread into Washoe County, Nevada.
• The fire consumed a total of 315,577 acres (490 sq mi; 1,280 km2) of sagebrush, of which 271,991 acres (1,100 km2; 420 sq mi) were in California.
• At the time, the burn area in California made the Rush Fire the second-largest wildfire in California since 1932 (when accurate area estimates became available).
• In December 2017, the Thomas Fire surpassed the Rush Fire to become the second-largest wildfire in modern California history, in terms of the area burned in California.
• The fire destroyed important habitat for the greater sage-grouse, as well as a single barn. On August 30, 2012, the Rush Fire was 100% contained.

6. Cedar Fire

The Cedar Fire was a massive wildfire that burned 273,246 acres of land in San Diego County, California in October and November 2003.

• The fire began in the Cleveland National Forest when a hunter lost his way and started a small fire to signal for help.
• The fire spread quickly, at a rate of 3,600 acres per hour, and by November 4, 2003, it had destroyed 2,820 buildings and killed 15 people.
• As of January 2022, the Cedar Fire is the ninth-largest wildfire in California’s modern history and the sixth-deadliest and fourth-most destructive wildfire in the state’s history.
• The Cedar Fire killed 15 people, including one firefighter, and destroyed 2,232 homes. The dollar loss was estimated at $204 million (Structure & Contents).

5. Thomas Fire

The Thomas Fire was a massive wildfire that ignited in Ventura County, California on December 4, 2017.

• It burned about 281,893 acres of coastal terrain, including oak and chaparral woodlands, before being fully contained on January 12, 2018.
• At the time, it was the largest wildfire in California’s history.
• The Thomas Fire caused over $2.2 billion in damages, including $230 million in suppression costs.
• It destroyed at least 1,063 structures and damaged 280 others. By January 2, 2018, the fire had cost over $204 million to fight and forced over 104,607 residents to evacuate.

4. Chinchaga Fire

The Chinchaga Fire, which burned in Canada from June until the early fall of 1950, was the fourth largest wildfire in history.

• It is also known as the Wisp fire or Fire 19. The Chinchaga Fire burned nearly 1.7 million acres (688,000 hectares) of boreal forest and resulted in a series of evacuations and shutdowns.
• The Chinchaga Fire started in June 1950 in a remote area of northern British Columbia. The fire was caused by lightning and quickly spread due to the hot and dry conditions. The fire burned for several months and was not brought under control until September.
• The Chinchaga Fire had a devastating impact on the environment. The fire destroyed millions of trees and other vegetation.
• The fire also caused widespread damage to wildlife habitat. The Chinchaga Fire also had a significant impact on the local economy. The fire destroyed several logging camps and sawmills. The fire also caused the closure of several roads and highways.

3. Australia Bushfires (Black Friday Bushfires)

The Black Friday bushfires of 1939 were Australia’s third deadliest bushfires on record. The fires, which burned for several days, claimed 71 lives and destroyed more than 700 homes. Ash from the fires fell as far away as New Zealand.

• The fires began on January 13, 1939, when temperatures reached 44.7C in the capital Melbourne and 47.2C in Mildura in the northwest.
• The fires quickly spread, fanned by strong winds. By the time they were brought under control on January 18, the fires had covered over three-quarters of the state’s area.
• The fires caused widespread damage to property and infrastructure. Many towns were destroyed, and thousands of people were left homeless. The fires also had a devastating impact on the environment. Millions of acres of forest were destroyed, and many animals were killed.
• The Black Friday bushfires were a major disaster for Australia. The fires caused widespread damage and loss of life. The fires also had a major impact on the environment.

2. Siberian Taiga Fires

The Siberian taiga fires are a series of wildfires that have been burning in the Siberian taiga since May 2022. They have burned over an area of 5.2 million hectares, and are still ongoing.

• The taiga fires are one of the largest and most destructive wildfires in history. They have released an estimated 450 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of the United Kingdom.
• The fires are having a devastating impact on the Siberian environment. They have destroyed vast areas of forest, and have killed many animals.
• The smoke from the fires has also caused air pollution, which has led to health problems for people in the region.
• The Siberian taiga fires are a reminder of the dangers of climate change. Climate change is causing the world to become warmer and drier, which is creating the perfect conditions for wildfires.

1. The Great Fire, 1910

The Great Fire of 1910, also known as the Big Burn, was a forest fire that burned over three million acres of land in the Northern Rockies of the United States.

• It was the largest wildfire in U.S. history, and it killed 87 people, mostly firefighters.
• The fire started on August 20, 1910, when a combination of high winds and low humidity caused a number of smaller fires to merge into one giant firestorm.
• The fire spread rapidly, and by the end of the day, it had burned over 1 million acres.
• On August 21, the fire continued to rage, and it eventually reached the town of Wallace, Idaho.
• The town was evacuated, but the fire destroyed the entire east end of Wallace. The fire also destroyed several other towns, and it caused widespread damage to forests and wildlife.

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FAQs on Top 10 Largest Wildfires in History

What factors contribute to the occurrence of large wildfires?

Large wildfires are often caused by a combination of dry conditions, high winds, and abundant fuel sources such as forests, grasslands, or shrublands.

How are wildfires ranked among the top 10 largest in history?

Wildfires are ranked based on the total area burned, with the largest wildfires being those that have consumed the most extensive land area.

Are there specific regions more prone to massive wildfires?

Yes, regions with dry climates, such as parts of North America, Australia, and Siberia, are particularly prone to large wildfires due to their abundant vegetation and seasonal weather patterns.

How do authorities typically manage large wildfires?

Authorities use a combination of strategies, including fire suppression efforts, controlled burns, evacuation plans, and public education campaigns to manage and mitigate the impact of large wildfires.

What are some ecological impacts of massive wildfires?

Massive wildfires can devastate ecosystems, leading to habitat loss, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and long-term changes in vegetation patterns.