List of California wildfires

List of California wildfires

The state of California, located on the western coast of the United States, is known for its frequent and devastating wildfires. This article provides a comprehensive list of notable wildfires that have occurred in California.

19th Century

Great Fire of 1845

The Great Fire of 1845 was one of the earliest recorded wildfires in California's history. It occurred in the city of San Francisco and resulted in significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

20th Century

Griffith Park Fire

The Griffith Park Fire, which took place in 1933, was one of the deadliest wildfires in California's history. It started in the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles and quickly spread, causing the loss of numerous lives and destroying a large portion of the park.

Cedar Fire

The Cedar Fire, occurring in 2003, is considered one of the largest wildfires in California's history. It burned over 273,000 acres of land, primarily in San Diego County, and resulted in the loss of 15 lives and the destruction of thousands of structures.

21st Century

Camp Fire

The Camp Fire, which occurred in 2018, is one of the most destructive wildfires in California's history. It started in Butte County and quickly spread, becoming the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state's history. The fire claimed the lives of 85 people and destroyed over 18,000 structures, including the entire town of Paradise.

Thomas Fire

The Thomas Fire, taking place in 2017, was one of the largest wildfires in California's history. It burned over 281,000 acres of land in Ventura County and Santa Barbara County, making it the largest wildfire in terms of acreage at the time. The fire destroyed hundreds of structures and resulted in the evacuation of thousands of residents.

Ongoing Wildfires

Dixie Fire

The Dixie Fire, which started in July 2021, is currently one of the largest active wildfires in California. It has burned over 900,000 acres of land across multiple counties, including Butte County and Plumas County. The fire has caused significant damage to communities and has led to numerous evacuations.

Conclusion

California has a long history of devastating wildfires, with numerous notable events occurring throughout the years. The list provided in this article highlights some of the most significant wildfires in the state's history. It is important to note that wildfires are a natural part of California's ecosystem, but the increasing frequency and severity of these fires in recent years have raised concerns about climate change and the need for effective wildfire management strategies.

See Also

• Wildfire prevention
• Wildfire management
• Effects of climate change on wildfires