The United States has witnessed numerous wildfires throughout its history, but some have left a particularly devastating mark on the landscape and its people. Among these, two wildfires stand out as the largest, burning 3 million acres of land each. Using a data analysis published by wildfire litigation firm Singleton Schreiber, we’ll dive into the largest, deadliest, and costliest wildfires in U.S. history.
Largest Wildfires in U.S. History
The largest wildfires recorded in U.S. history include the Great Fire of 1910 and the Great Fire of 1898, each burning an astounding 3 million acres. The Great Fire of 1910 only burned for two days from August 20-21. However, it soon grew to an unprecedented size, burning across Western Montana and North Idaho, and even spreading into British Columbia, Canada.
Comparable in size to the Great Fire of 1910, The Great Fire of 1898 was a series of wildfires that devastated parts of North and South Carolina. Livestock, timber, and naval stores took the brunt of the damage from the fire.
Most recently, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, ranks as the 7th largest wildfire in U.S history. Burning over 1 million acres, the Smokehouse Creek Fire affected the Texas panhandle and parts of Western Oklahoma. The Smokehouse Creek Fire is the largest fire in Texas history, surpassing the 2006 East Amarillo Complex fire, which burned over 900,000 acres.
Deadliest Wildfires in U.S. History
The Peshtigo Fire, which ranks as the 5th largest wildfire in the U.S., is the deadliest wildfire with 1,152 fatalities. The Peshtigo Fire burned 1.2 million acres in Wisconsin and parts of Michigan in October of 1871.
The second deadliest wildfire is the Cloquet and Moose Lake Fires of 1918. The Cloquet and Moose Lake Fires do not make the top 10 in terms of largest, but these fires saw a total of 453 fatalities.
Costliest Wildfires in U.S. History
The costliest wildfire in U.S. history was the Camp Fire. The 2018 Camp Fire, which started in Butte County, California, incurred over 12.4 billion in insured losses, plus $4 billion in uninsured losses. The Camp Fire does not make the top 10 wildfires in terms of size, but it was the 7th deadliest, with 85 fatalities.
Reflecting on the Largest Wildfires in the U.S.
The history of wildfires in the United States is marked by devastation, loss, and resilience. From the immense scale of the Great Fire of 1910 and the Great Fire of 1898 to the profound human toll of the Peshtigo Fire, these events have shaped both the landscape and the communities affected. The Camp Fire’s unprecedented financial cost reminds us of the long-term impacts these disasters can have on our lives and economy. As we continue to face the challenges of wildfire management and prevention, understanding the history of these monumental fires helps us prepare for a safer and more resilient future.
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