Wildfire
A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known. Every one the National Weather Service has filed, by year and by state, with the deadliest and costliest.
The deadliest and costliest on the map
The deadliest and costliest wildfire episodes on record.
- 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
- 9,593
- Deaths
- 578
- Injuries
- 2,886
- Damage
- $41 billion
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
Every year
Deaths each year
The deadliest
Deaths from this kind of event within each episode.
- Wildfire in Hawaii, August 8 to 16, 2023On August 8, several wildfires ignited over Maui and the Big Island. Very strong trade winds, low relative humidity, and ongoing drought conditions across leeward sections led to rapid fire growth and spread.
- 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 Arizona, June 28 to 30, 2013The Yarnell Hill Fire started around 536 PM by lightning on Friday June 28th, 2013 about 3.5 miles west of Yarnell, Arizona. The average daily temperature was above average for this area from June 26-July 10...and more than 10 degrees above average for June 28-July 1.
- 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 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 in Texas, March 12 to 18, 2006The wildfire known as the Borger wildfire started four miles southeast of Borger on the Burnett (6666) Ranch property. This wildfire was caused by downed power lines due to the strong gradient southwesterly winds.
- Wildfire in Florida, January 29, 2012A 62 acre wildfire developed in Paines Prairie which is bisected by Interstate 75 south of Gainesville. The Prairie is also close to Highway 441, which runs south of Gainesville as well.
- 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 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 Oregon, September 7 to 30, 2020After a period of upper level ridging brought a return to above normal temperatures in early September, very strong easterly downslope and offshore winds off the Cascades and Coastal Ranges occurred.
- 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 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 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 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, 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.
- 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 Washington, July 9 to 23, 2001The "Thirtymile" wildfire was in the mop-up stages on July 10 when excessively hot and dry conditions that afternoon caused the smoldering fire to blow up. The fire came roaring back to life, quickly spreading from 25 to 2,500 acres in just three hours.
- 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, 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.
- 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 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 and High Wind in Colorado, March 26 to 31, 2012Strong southwest winds ahead of an approaching cold front produced high to extreme fire danger across the Front Range Foothills and Palmer Divide.
- Wildfire in Oregon, September 8 to 15, 2020The Almeda Drive Wildfire started on 09/08/20 in the morning. The cause is under investigation. As of the last report at 0630 PDT on 09/15/20, the fire had burned 3200 acres and was 100 percent contained. This fire burned in a greenway and an adjacent urban area.
The costliest
Damage from this kind of event within each episode, in the dollars of its year.
- Wildfire in California, November 8 to 25, 2018
- Wildfire in Hawaii, August 8 to 16, 2023
- Wildfire and High Wind in Colorado, December 30, 2021
- Wildfire and High Wind in California, July 23 to 31, 2018
- Wildfire in New Mexico, May 4 to 31, 2000
- Wildfire in California, October 25 to 31, 2003
- Wildfire in California, October 25 to 31, 2003
- Wildfire in California, September 29 to 30, 2000
- Wildfire in California, June 24 to 30, 2007
- Wildfire in Idaho, June 28 to 30, 2012
- Wildfire in California, October 21 to 31, 2007
- Wildfire in Colorado, July 1 to 10, 2012
- Wildfire in Colorado, June 23 to 30, 2012
- Wildfire in Florida, July 1 to 10, 1998
- Wildfire and High Wind in Texas, February 26 to 29, 2024
- Wildfire in Colorado, June 11 to 20, 2013
- Wildfire in California, November 1 to 5, 2003
- Wildfire in Texas, September 4 to 30, 2011
- Wildfire in Colorado, September 6 to 13, 2010
- Wildfire in Colorado, October 14 to 31, 2020
- Wildfire in California, October 22 to 28, 2007
- Wildfire in California, November 15 to 19, 2008
- Wildfire in Washington, August 1 to 26, 2014
- Wildfire in Washington, July 14 to 31, 2014
- Wildfire in Texas, April 9 to 29, 2011
By state
| State or waters | Events | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,592 | 293 | 1,811 | $24 billion |
| Texas | 1,491 | 39 | 193 | $1.2 billion |
| Oregon | 742 | 16 | 47 | $35 million |
| Colorado | 668 | 15 | 29 | $4.0 billion |
| Oklahoma | 604 | 18 | 73 | $182 million |
| Washington | 542 | 10 | 19 | $2.2 billion |
| Florida | 488 | 15 | 155 | $537 million |
| Idaho | 431 | 6 | 27 | $695 million |
| Arizona | 315 | 20 | 58 | $337 million |
| Hawaii | 283 | 103 | 47 | $5.6 billion |
| Montana | 269 | 2 | 41 | $27 million |
| Georgia | 215 | 0 | 13 | $80 million |
| Arkansas | 178 | 1 | 17 | $9.7 million |
| New Jersey | 177 | 0 | 22 | $1.9 million |
| Wyoming | 165 | 2 | 20 | $52 million |
| New Mexico | 162 | 5 | 50 | $1.8 billion |
| Utah | 141 | 11 | 46 | $155 million |
| Missouri | 103 | 0 | 9 | $19 million |
| Kansas | 92 | 3 | 10 | $73 million |
| Nebraska | 88 | 5 | 48 | $73 million |
| Pennsylvania | 85 | 1 | 13 | $5.3 million |
| South Dakota | 84 | 1 | 2 | $120,000 |
| Alaska | 75 | 0 | 19 | $17 million |
| Kentucky | 48 | 2 | 21 | $25,000 |
| Puerto Rico | 47 | 0 | 2 | $8.5 million |
| Virginia | 43 | 0 | 4 | $13 million |
| Nevada | 43 | 2 | 29 | $45 million |
| North Dakota | 36 | 2 | 16 | $38 million |
| New York | 34 | 0 | 3 | $238,000 |
| North Carolina | 33 | 0 | 0 | $5.6 million |
| West Virginia | 32 | 2 | 1 | $73,000 |
| Wisconsin | 31 | 4 | 6 | $2.2 million |
| Michigan | 29 | 0 | 4 | $23 million |
| Minnesota | 27 | 0 | 6 | $27 million |
| Louisiana | 27 | 0 | 4 | $27 million |
| South Carolina | 24 | 0 | 1 | $56 million |
| Illinois | 22 | 0 | 5 | $4.7 million |
| Iowa | 22 | 0 | 7 | $1.5 million |
| Maryland | 20 | 0 | 3 | |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 19 | 0 | 0 | $222,000 |
| Delaware | 17 | 0 | 2 | $5,000 |
| Alabama | 10 | 0 | 1 | $103,000 |
| Massachusetts | 10 | 0 | 1 | $75,000 |
| Indiana | 8 | 0 | 0 | $35,000 |
| Guam | 7 | 0 | 1 | $250,000 |
| Mississippi | 5 | 0 | 0 | $30,000 |
| Tennessee | 5 | 0 | 0 | $2.7 million |
| Vermont | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Connecticut | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Every kind of event
- Thunderstorm Wind
- Hail
- Flash Flood
- High Wind
- Winter Storm
- Drought
- Winter Weather
- Tornado
- Heavy Snow
- Flood
- Marine Thunderstorm Wind
- Heat
- Heavy Rain
- Strong Wind
- Excessive Heat
- Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
- Cold/Wind Chill
- Lightning
- Dense Fog
- Blizzard
- Frost/Freeze
- Ice Storm
- High Surf
- Funnel Cloud
- Wildfire
- Tropical Storm
- Waterspout
- Coastal Flood
- Lake-Effect Snow
- Debris Flow
- Hurricane (Typhoon)
- Dust Storm
- Rip Current
- Storm Surge/Tide
- Marine High Wind
- Sleet
- Avalanche
- Marine Hail
- Astronomical Low Tide
- Marine Tropical Storm
- Tropical Depression
- Freezing Fog
- Lakeshore Flood
- Dust Devil
- Marine Strong Wind
- Dense Smoke
- Marine Hurricane/Typhoon
- Volcanic Ashfall
- Seiche
- Sneakerwave
- Volcanic Ash
- Tsunami
- Marine Tropical Depression
- Marine Dense Fog
- Northern Lights
- Marine Lightning
- Hurricane
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.