Wildfire in California
Every wildfire event the National Weather Service has filed in California, year by year, with the most significant episodes. A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.
The most significant on the map
The most significant wildfire episodes in California.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 1,592
- Deaths
- 293
- Injuries
- 1,811
- Damage
- $24 billion
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Wildfire in California, November 8 to 25, 2018An extended period of dry weather through the summer and fall with above normal temperatures coupled with a gusty north to northeast wind event created a situation for extremely rapid fire growth.
- Wildfire in California, January 7 to 31, 2025The combination of very strong Santa Ana winds, mountain wave activity and critically dry vegetation resulted in a significant outbreak of wildfires across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
- Wildfire in California, October 25 to 31, 2003Named the Cedar Fire, this fire was started around sunset on October 25 by a lost hunter. Wind gusts from the northeast over 30 mph began within 2 hours of the fire's start.
- Wildfire and High Wind in California, September 7 to 9, 2020September started off extremely hot, as high pressure built over the area. This led to unseasonably hot temperatures for most of northern California with widespread triple digit heat forecast, accompanied by little overnight relief for the Labor Day weekend.
- Wildfire in California, November 8 to 22, 2018The Woolsey Fire burned 96,949 acres in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, destroying over 1500 structures. The fire ignited during a strong Santa Ana wind event and the combination of gusty winds and very dry conditions allowed the fire to spread very quickly.
- Wildfire in California, October 21 to 31, 2007The Harris Fire was the first and deadliest fire in a series of devestating wildfires to impact the San Diego CWA during the latter half of October. The fire was likely started by a campfire about one mile east of Potrero along Harris Ranch Road.
- Wildfire and High Wind in California, July 23 to 31, 2018Large wildfires developed across Northern California at the end of July during a period of high temperatures, low humidity and unusually dry fuels. A powerful fire whirl developed with the Carr Fire, creating significant wind damage to western Redding and rapid fire growth.
- Wildfire in California, October 8 to 28, 2017Strong downslope winds combined with a hot dry airmass resulted in extreme fire behavior. It is speculated that above normal winter rains yielded abundant fuels that became primed for rapid intense fire spread by late summer and early fall.
- Wildfire in California, September 9 to 30, 2015Extreme fire behavior with winds and very dry fuels combining to enhance rapidly moving fires which destroyed hundreds of homes and caused multiple deaths in the Valley and Butte Fires.
- Wildfire in California, October 26 to 30, 2006The Esperanza Fire was intentionally set during the early morning hours of the 26th at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains near Cabazon.
- Wildfire and Heat in California, August 1 to 7, 1997Tinder dry brush and hot, dry weather, intensified a fire which burned 457 acres on the north side of Lake Wohlford. Although arson was blamed for starting the blaze, shifting seabreeze winds of 15 to 25 mph, helped keep it from being controlled.
- Wildfire in California, October 25 to 31, 2003Named the Old Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist on October 25. It consumed 91,200 acres before it was fully contained on November 5, 2003.
- Excessive Heat and Wildfire in California, September 4 to 30, 2020A very strong upper level high pressure became positioned over California along with an offshore flow in Southern California resulting in record very hot temperatures. September 5th and 6th were the hottest and several all-time highs were broken.
- Wildfire in California, October 21 to 31, 2007The Witch Creek Fire was by far the largest of the October 2007 wildfires. The fire started around 12:35 pm on the 21st in Witch Creek Canyon near Santa Ysabel and quickly spread west to Ramona.
- Excessive Heat and Wildfire in California, August 14 to 31, 2020A prolonged and oppressive heat wave swept the Central Coast and Bay Area for almost a week from August 14th to August 19th with widespread record breaking temperatures observed across the region.
- Wildfire and High Wind in California, December 4 to 31, 2017Strong surface high pressure building in the Great Basin generated strong and gusty Santa Ana winds across sections of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. North to northeast wind gusts up to 73 MPH were reported.
- Wildfire in California, July 13 to 31, 2018The Ferguson Fire started on July 13, 2018 at 2136 PDT in the South Fork Merced River drainage, 10 miles north of Mariposa, CA in Sierra National Forest. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
- Wildfire in California, July 1 to 31, 2008Thunderstorms with little or no rain spread across the area on June 21st. About 8000 lighting strikes were detected, sparking approximately 2000 wildfires across northern California. These fires destroyed numerous structures and caused multiple deaths and injuries.
- Wildfire and Strong Wind in California, September 26 to 30, 2020Another round of critical fire weather conditions occurred from September 26 through September 28 due to a trough sliding into the Rockies and ridge building behind it.
- Wildfire in California, October 10 to 24, 2019The Saddleridge Fire burned over 8700 acres in the foothills of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles county. The combination of warm and dry Santa Ana winds as well as critically dry vegetation allowed for rapid fire growth.
- Wildfire in California, October 26 to 31, 2003Named the Paradise Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist on October 26, 2003. In October it consumed 56,000 acres, and destroyed 348 structures, 342 vehicles, and several miles of utility lines and highway infrastructure.
- Wildfire in California, May 5 to 20, 2009The Jesusita Fire burned over 8,700 acres in the hills above the city of Santa Barbara. This wildfire was driven by a combination of a large dead fuel bed and Sundowner winds gusting over 60 MPH.
- Wildfire in California, October 8 to 31, 2017Breezy northerly winds with low humidity and dry fuel brought critical fire conditions. Wind gusts ranged from 40 to 50 mph in the Central Valley. These enhanced the development of the Wind Complex, which included the Cascade, Lobo, McCourtney and LaPorte wildfires.
- Wildfire in California, August 1 to 31, 2022The McKinney Wildfire started around 1415 PDT on 07/29/22. The cause remains under investigation. Initially, it spread slowly, but winds from nearby thunderstorms caused it to spread rapidly on 07/30/22.
- Wildfire in California, July 12 to 15, 2020Arson was attributed to the burning of the Navy's Bonhomme Richard ship, which lasted 4 days with over 60 injuries of navy and fire rescue personnel in the San Diego Bay.
More
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.