Wildfires

Wildfires of 1997

Federal, state and local agencies reported 61,442 wildfires in the United States in 1997, burning 3,231,569 acres. 303 fires reached 1,000 acres or more in at least one record; the largest was the Inowak Fire in Alaska, at 606,945 acres.

Wildfires reported
61,442
Acres, all reports
3,231,569
Fires of 1,000 acres or more
303
Burned areas mapped by MTBS
155
Perimeters on file
941

1996 1998

Map

Every fire of 1997 with a page here, sized by the acres burned. Select one for its perimeter and record.

Largest fires303

Wildfires of 1,000 acres or more, largest first. The size is the reported final size where a fire report survives, else the burned area MTBS mapped, else the area inside the final perimeter.

FireStateAcresStartCause
Inowak FireAK606,945Jun 25, 1997Natural
Simels FireAK365,871Jun 7, 1997Natural
Magitchlie Creek FireAK308,120Jun 10, 1997Natural
George River FireAK101,820Jun 26, 1997Natural
Garfield Creek FireAK76,300Jul 22, 1997Natural
Titnuk Creek FireAK71,760Jun 24, 1997Natural
Logan FireCA49,490Aug 4, 1997Human
Many Lakes FireAK47,300Jul 21, 1997Natural
West Fork Nixon FireAK47,060Jul 5, 1997Natural
B 484 FireAK44,050Jul 3, 1997Natural
Fernandez FireCA43,700Oct 24, 1997Human
Oh No FireFL41,000Feb 22, 1997Human
Perez FireNM38,000Mar 16, 1997
Reindeer FireAK37,900Jul 22, 1997Natural
Kokhila Hills FireAK36,400Jun 8, 1997Natural
Roketaloi FireAK35,490Jul 3, 1997Natural
Timber Creek FireAK27,900Jul 4, 1997Natural
Lilly FireNM25,000Apr 27, 1997Natural
Horton FireNM25,000Mar 3, 1997
Hopper FireCA24,800Aug 5, 1997Human
Mud Fire 731349 FireAK24,185Jun 21, 1997Natural
Dr. Beaver Creek FireAK20,700Jun 4, 1997Natural
Nuyakuk FireAK20,280Jun 25, 1997Natural
Haystack FireWA20,187
Narrows FireCA18,186Aug 13, 1997Human
Trail FireAK15,500Jun 27, 1997Natural
East Fork FireAK15,360Jul 2, 1997Natural
Moser Bay FireAK14,100Apr 16, 1997Human
Buoy Line FireOK11,000Mar 6, 1997Human
Rescue FireFL11,000Apr 6, 1997Human
Chocktaw FireCA10,416Aug 19, 1997Human
Throckmorton FireTX10,388Oct 13, 1997
Caprock FireNM10,240Jan 3, 1997
Wild Cow Bay FireTX10,061Sep 22, 1997
Canadian FireTX9,572Mar 26, 1997
Unnamed FireNM9,427Mar 7, 1997
Highway 55 FireID9,207Oct 1, 1997Human
Thedford FireNE9,000Mar 20, 1997Human
Sentinel FireNV8,750Jul 16, 1997Human
Hawk River FireAK8,640Jun 26, 1997Natural
Table FireNV8,400Jul 9, 1997Natural
Garita FireNM8,000Mar 13, 1997
Rabbit FireNM7,600
Midway ComplexCA7,485Jun 20, 1997Human
Pauba FireCA7,231Aug 31, 1997Human
Lockwood FireAK6,860Jul 4, 1997Natural
Pow Wah Kee FireWA6,500Aug 2, 1997Natural
Breast FireAK6,430Jul 6, 1997Natural
Baker FireCA6,317Oct 13, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL6,063Mar 8, 1997
Unnamed FireKS6,000Feb 17, 1997
Unnamed FireNE6,000Mar 31, 1997
Unnamed FireFL6,000Jul 7, 1997Natural
Unit 2 RX FireLA5,835Sep 3, 1997
Langstroth FireNM5,800
CR-50 FireNM5,760Jun 2, 1997
Williams FireCA5,745Sep 27, 1997Human
Jacks FireCA5,693Aug 9, 1997Natural
Wilderness FireND5,558Sep 9, 1997
Olympia Command FireWA5,500Aug 26, 1997Human
Deadwood FireAK5,500Jul 20, 1997Natural
Flat FireUT5,425Jul 15, 1997Natural
Canyon 2 FireCA5,200Jul 1, 1997Human
Rinker FireNM5,200Mar 24, 1997
Buck Mtn FireAK5,130Jul 21, 1997Natural
Tikchik FireAK5,079Jun 26, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireAZ5,050Aug 20, 1997
Unnamed FireAZ5,039Apr 28, 1997
Corefu FireWA5,000Jul 21, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireKS5,000Mar 21, 1997
Comanche RX FireOK4,743Mar 26, 1997
Cottonwood Creek FireOR4,717
Cottonwood FireOR4,715Aug 23, 1997Natural
Grit Road FireTX4,700Oct 20, 1997Human
Sewemup FireCO4,600Jun 29, 1997Natural
Lokern Two FireCA4,566
Sewemup FireCO4,541
Dewey 2 FireWY4,415Aug 31, 1997Human
Reed River FireAK4,395Jul 2, 1997Natural
Cogswell Point FireUT4,383May 11, 1997
Unnamed FireCO4,379Mar 22, 1997
Butte Creek FireAK4,222Jul 2, 1997Natural
Foraker FireAK4,220Jul 1, 1997Natural
Choke FireCA4,100Aug 6, 1997Natural
Tolbert FireNV4,017May 12, 1997Natural
Jack Rabbit FireCA4,000Sep 24, 1997Human
Rocky FireNM4,000Apr 21, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireAZ3,984Apr 12, 1997
Unnamed FireFL3,804Jan 26, 1997
Hemlock FireCA3,737Jul 5, 1997Human
Unnamed FireCO3,726Oct 4, 1997
State FireCA3,667
Unnamed FireFL3,537May 7, 1997
Cottonwd 2 FireCA3,500May 8, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL3,448Feb 16, 1997
Unnamed FireAZ3,422Apr 12, 1997
Unnamed FireFL3,376Jan 26, 1997
Warrior FireNV3,353Aug 9, 1997Natural
Summit FireNV3,348Aug 4, 1997Human
North Cow FireCA3,333Oct 22, 1997
Unnamed FireFL3,300May 5, 1997Human
Chiniklik FireAK3,283Jul 19, 1997Natural
Lw M 1 FireFL3,275Jan 21, 1997
Ubar FireNM3,220Jan 30, 1997
Three Springs FireOR3,206Aug 7, 1997Natural
Peace River FireAK3,200Jul 22, 1997Natural
Batespastu FireNM3,199Mar 18, 1997
Unnamed FireSC3,150Mar 10, 1997Human
Kisatchie Hills FireLA3,134Sep 14, 1997Human
Soonkakat River FireAK3,070Aug 2, 1997Natural
Tough FireAK3,060Jun 23, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireLA3,010Nov 2, 1997
Camp Lake FireAK3,000Jul 1, 1997Natural
Big FireMN2,983Apr 25, 1997
Santa Rosa FireCA2,836Aug 20, 1997
Murrell FireSC2,765Mar 31, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL2,620May 7, 1997
Honey Island FireGA2,585Jun 13, 1997
Mound FireTX2,551Aug 25, 1997Natural
Poso FireCA2,500Aug 10, 1997Human
Angel FireNM2,500Jul 24, 1997
Oklahoma FireAK2,500Jun 13, 1997Natural
Cain FireNM2,500Mar 15, 1997
Olna FireNM2,500Mar 29, 1997
Kibbie 2 FireCA2,482Sep 18, 1997
Coffee FireCA2,470Sep 24, 1997Human
Oskawalik FireAK2,470Jul 19, 1997Natural
Paimiut FireAK2,468Jul 22, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireAZ2,453Jun 24, 1997
Tvativak FireAK2,450Jun 23, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireUT2,435Aug 23, 1997
Beach FireCA2,400May 9, 1997Human
Indian Ridge FireID2,400Sep 1, 1997Natural
Pot FireNM2,400Jul 7, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireTX2,375Jan 3, 1997
Dominion FireAK2,340Jul 22, 1997Natural
Easteasmen FireTX2,300Jul 24, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireCA2,283May 18, 1997Human
North Canal FireOR2,255Jun 17, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireGA2,252Apr 5, 1997
Pahcoon FireUT2,250Jul 20, 1997Natural
Dugway Mountain FireUT2,250Jul 31, 1997Natural
East Butte FireID2,218Aug 23, 1997Natural
R307 FireMN2,178May 2, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL2,145Mar 8, 1997
Unnamed FireTX2,136Sep 27, 1997
Tule Marsh FireCA2,131Feb 12, 1997
FOXHOLM1 FireND2,100Oct 2, 1997Human
Herd FireMT2,081Oct 17, 1997Human
Unnamed FireKS2,051Mar 27, 1997
Cockleburr FireNM2,020Apr 30, 1997Human
Ca Road FireMT2,000Mar 19, 1997Human
Grey Ditch FireLA2,000Sep 30, 1997Human
Edison 100 FireNM2,000Jul 25, 1997
American FireCA1,944Sep 19, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL1,933Jan 31, 1997
Howe FireNM1,920Nov 26, 1997
Unnamed FireOK1,920Apr 3, 1997Human
Green FireAZ1,906Jul 15, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireNE1,900Mar 7, 1997
Unnamed FireNJ1,900Jul 29, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL1,900Jul 17, 1997Natural
Colt FireID1,888Aug 21, 1997Natural
Dry Lake 1 FireAZ1,882Feb 1, 1997
Unnamed FireCA1,863Jul 18, 1997
Blue Gulch FireID1,823Sep 9, 1997Natural
Star FireWA1,800Aug 11, 1997Human
Unnamed FireNV1,800Aug 14, 1997
Bray FireID1,797Aug 20, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireTX1,796Nov 2, 1997
All Acres in Mex FireCA1,794
Aspen Valley FireCA1,790Oct 27, 1997
Unnamed FireNJ1,790Apr 5, 1997
Unnamed FireLA1,765Sep 15, 1997
Unnamed FireGA1,741Apr 5, 1997
Buffalo FireNV1,724Aug 10, 1997Human
RX 2 2 B FireFL1,712Jan 24, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,704Feb 16, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,700Sep 17, 1997Natural
Half FireNM1,698Mar 12, 1997
Unnamed FireAZ1,681Jun 24, 1997
Lummis Pnf FireNM1,668
Lummis FireNM1,655Jun 29, 1997Natural
Twin Creek FireNV1,645Aug 9, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireTX1,639Aug 17, 1997
Big Burn FireWI1,639May 21, 1997
Calf Creek FireID1,633
Unnamed FireFL1,615Aug 27, 1997
Cedar Mountain FireOR1,609Jul 21, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireFL1,605Jan 31, 1997
Fireweed FireWA1,605
Unnamed FireNV1,600
Smith FireNM1,599
West Elk FireCO1,587
Unnamed FireLA1,586Sep 30, 1997
Unnamed FireAZ1,555Jun 27, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,547May 7, 1997
RX 2 3 A FireFL1,536Jun 25, 1997
Calf Creek FireID1,521Aug 20, 1997Natural
Dirty Heat FireUT1,500Mar 26, 1997
Poppet FireCA1,500Sep 23, 1997Human
Branch FireNM1,500Mar 12, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,484Aug 27, 1997
Shawnee Peak FireAK1,480Jul 2, 1997Natural
HY26MP159 FireID1,478Aug 21, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL1,456Feb 28, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,450Jan 26, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,450Jan 31, 1997
Fire 120297SC1,448Feb 27, 1997
Granite FireCA1,445May 22, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,430Mar 4, 1997Human
Fire 150197SC1,423Apr 15, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,410May 7, 1997
Slippery Creek FireAK1,405Jun 27, 1997Natural
Elk Mountain RX FireOK1,400Mar 19, 1997
Copperhead FireCA1,400Jun 11, 1997Human
Grove FireCA1,395May 19, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL1,391May 7, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,388Feb 16, 1997
Azalea FireCA1,371Sep 27, 1997
Hess Creek FireAK1,360Jul 1, 1997Natural
C 8 2 3 4 FireGA1,358Aug 28, 1997
Biloxi Fork FireMS1,350Mar 24, 1997Human
Railroad 1 FireUT1,337Jun 29, 1997Human
Mill FireCA1,336Sep 13, 1997Human
Unnamed FireNV1,323Aug 14, 1997
Fire 50297SC1,319Feb 5, 1997
Airbase FireID1,310Sep 14, 1997Human
Rock FireAZ1,308Mar 20, 1997
Sea Rim Help FireTX1,300Aug 28, 1997Human
Beckeye FireNM1,300Jun 18, 1997
Freeman FireCA1,300Mar 5, 1997Human
Range FireCA1,288Sep 23, 1997
Gold Creek FireAK1,280Jul 3, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireKS1,267Mar 24, 1997
Kitalitna Creek FireAK1,263
Unnamed FireAZ1,259Apr 28, 1997
Comanche FireCA1,246
Unnamed FireFL1,242May 7, 1997
Cpt G 12 FireMS1,231Oct 15, 1997
Del Dios FireCA1,230Sep 24, 1997Human
Bear FireAK1,230Jul 17, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireFL1,214Mar 8, 1997
T.k.fireMT1,205Sep 17, 1997
Bayou FireLA1,200Jul 24, 1997Natural
Mile FireCA1,200May 31, 1997Human
Cuevo FireNM1,200May 7, 1997
Expectations FireNM1,200Jul 25, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,200Jul 4, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireFL1,200Jul 28, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireTX1,191Jul 27, 1997
Huffer FireCA1,190Aug 7, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireCA1,188Jun 9, 1997
Big Flat FireOR1,186Nov 1, 1997
Hb 35 FireND1,178Sep 2, 1997
Unnamed FireCA1,174May 8, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,158Mar 8, 1997
Haloween FireCA1,156Oct 31, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,154Mar 8, 1997
Unnamed FireWA1,151Aug 14, 1997Human
Margarita FireCA1,141Sep 4, 1997Human
Mann Lake FireOR1,140Aug 23, 1997Natural
Oso FireCA1,135Sep 9, 1997
Mi C 7 FireTX1,132Sep 9, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,122Jan 31, 1997
Bitters Creek FireAK1,115Jul 2, 1997Natural
Canyon Creek FireID1,108Jun 21, 1997Human
Ponderosa FireCA1,100Sep 27, 1997Human
Unnamed FireLA1,097Aug 30, 1997
Tower FireCA1,096Jul 4, 1997Human
Huffer Pnf FireCA1,090
Unnamed FireCA1,080Jun 9, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,075Feb 16, 1997
Fire 140397SC1,069Jan 18, 1997
Unnamed FireFL1,050Mar 8, 1997
N. River FireFL1,046Aug 7, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireFL1,041Jan 26, 1997
Cpt O 06 FireMS1,027Oct 11, 1997
Fire 130197SC1,024Jan 14, 1997
Maverick FireNM1,000Jul 3, 1997Human
Sheklukshuk FireAK1,000Jul 17, 1997Natural
Klut Creek FireAK1,000Jun 24, 1997Natural
B. Slough FireTX1,000Mar 3, 1997Human
Farmhouse FireNM1,000Aug 4, 1997
Unnamed FireVA1,000Nov 28, 1997Human
Cervantes FireCA1,000Apr 5, 1997Human
Meadow Creek FireID998Jul 8, 1997Human
Mile Post 248 FireOR996Aug 13, 1997Human
Kobuk Canyon FireAK990Jul 2, 1997Natural
Unnamed FireFL988Sep 21, 1997Human
Flaming Der FireWY982Jul 10, 1997Human
Ungalik River FireAK930Jun 8, 1997Natural
Corral Cyn FireWA920May 17, 1997Human
Figueroa FireAZ900May 7, 1997
Lookout Point FireSD866May 10, 1997Human
Unnamed FireFL800Nov 10, 1997Human
Scotch FireCA794Aug 14, 1997Human
UNIT1NOFLA FireTX723Oct 19, 1997Human
Unnamed FireMS679Oct 6, 1997Human
Unnamed FireMN600Apr 29, 1997Human
ESCAPE1 FireTX515Aug 5, 1997Human
Gator Nest FireTX465Jul 22, 1997Natural
Mustang 2 FireNV379Sep 3, 1997Natural

Prescribed fires26

Planned burns of 1,000 acres or more that MTBS or the perimeter history recorded.

FireStateAcresStartCause
Lokern Prescribed FireCA47,000May 19, 1997Human
Unnamed Prescribed FireCA9,392Jun 1, 1997
Pacesdike Prescribed FireFL6,339Feb 24, 1997
S Steen Prescribed FireOR5,874Oct 6, 1997
Red Creek Prescribed FireWY5,380May 5, 1997
Copperreef Prescribed FireAZ4,461Apr 15, 1997
Unnamed Prescribed FireKS4,385Apr 13, 1997
Unnamed Prescribed FireGA3,426Apr 5, 1997
Horse Mt Prescribed FireNM2,948Apr 21, 1997
Cowbellrx Prescribed FireFL2,496Jan 8, 1997
Coal Creek Prescribed FireWY2,445Oct 1, 1997
Lechugilla Prescribed FireNM2,291Mar 19, 1997
Little MT2 Prescribed FireWY2,156Aug 28, 1997
Catlow 1 Prescribed FireOR2,107Sep 23, 1997
Centrwell Prescribed FireCA2,022Jun 8, 1997
Unnamed Prescribed FireNJ1,834Mar 28, 1997
Iron Mt Prescribed FireNM1,665Jun 23, 1997
Mud Creek Prescribed FireOR1,594Sep 28, 1997
Dry Vee Prescribed FireWY1,498Sep 9, 1997
Lower Sprd Prescribed FireWY1,482May 8, 1997
Mesa De Colorado Vmp Prescribed FireCA1,388Jun 20, 1997
Chewbasin Prescribed FireUT1,318Aug 25, 1997
RX 9701 BNM1,216Mar 26, 1997
Dietrichbt Prescribed FireID1,134Oct 14, 1997
Unnamed Prescribed FireCA1,056
Unnamed Prescribed FireNJ1,041Mar 28, 1997

By state

StateFires of 1,000+ acresTheir acresAll reportsAcres, all reports
Alaska492,008,4117202,026,145
California52263,5137,928324,566
New Mexico30180,1071,380169,967
Florida42130,5693,912133,164
Texas1753,84376946,780
Washington842,66299927,563
Nevada1136,33959541,857
Arizona1230,4392,25013,357
Idaho1227,3811,13042,902
Oregon819,8242,14224,604
Louisiana819,6271,36121,649
Utah719,58086232,525
Oklahoma419,06391136,625
Colorado518,8337226,038
Nebraska316,9005718,130
Kansas414,3182211,410
South Carolina712,1983,07025,239
North Dakota38,8364536,204
Georgia47,9367,23421,908
Minnesota35,7612,52820,709
Wyoming25,3971958,316
Montana35,28699311,343
Mississippi44,2872,78232,354
New Jersey23,6901,3834,768
Wisconsin11,6391,6752,622
Virginia11,0001,1335,199
South Dakota18666074,319
Missouri01,31423,940
Alabama02,59122,055
North Carolina04,51217,412
Tennessee01,39413,044
Kentucky067511,613
Arkansas01,04011,442
West Virginia07197,535
New York03651,422
Maine0585897
Connecticut083600
Michigan0118552
Maryland019182
New Hampshire085108
Pennsylvania012108
Iowa01093
Indiana03683
Puerto Rico0683
Hawaii01252
Ohio02242
Delaware0525
Illinois01014
Massachusetts0115
Vermont023
District of Columbia030

Causes

Every wildfire report of 1997 in the fire occurrence database, by the cause class the reporting agency recorded.

CauseFiresAcres
Human51,123831,513
Natural8,8662,218,446
Undetermined1,453181,610

By year

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Before 2014, back to 1850

2010s 2013 2012 2011 2010

2000s 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

1990s 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

1980s 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980

1970s 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970

1960s 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960

1950s 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950

1940s 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940

1930s 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930

1920s 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920

1910s 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910

1900s 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1903 1902 1901 1900

1890s 1899 1898 1896 1895 1894 1893 1892 1891 1890

1880s 1889 1888 1886 1885 1880

1870s 1878 1870

1860s 1860

1850s 1850

Sources

Perimeters from the National Interagency Fire Center’s Interagency Fire Perimeter History, compiled from the Forest Service, BLM, BIA, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, the Alaska Interagency Fire Center and CAL FIRE. Burned areas and ignition dates from Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS), a program of the US Geological Survey and the USDA Forest Service. Fire reports from Short, Karen C. 2022, Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014], 6th Edition, Forest Service Research Data Archive, doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6. Records before 2014 were joined by this site: a fire report to the burned area its MTBS identifier names, a perimeter to the burned area it lies in when the names or the sizes agree.