Most destructive California wildfires in history

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Thursday, May 9, 2024
Most destructive California wildfires in history
These are the five most destructive wildfires in California history when measured by the number of structures destroyed.

2018's Camp Fire is currently the most destructive wildfire in California history based on the number of structures destroyed.



As it burned in Butte County, the Camp Fire destroyed more than 18,000 structures, most of them homes. The fire is also the deadliest in state history.



PHOTOS: Camp Fire burns through Butte County, California


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In this aerial photograph, an evacuee encampment is seen at a Walmart parking lot in Chico, California on November 19, 2018.
Josh Edelson for the Washington Post


The list of the 10 most destructive wildfires in California history has seen several recent updates. The North Bay fires in 2017 caused unprecedented damage, with the Tubbs Fire ranking as one of the most destructive ever. The Woolsey and Carr fires in 2018 also made the top 10.



Here are the most destructive fires in California history based on number of structures damaged, according to figures provided by CalFire on Aug. 8, 2019.



1. CAMP FIRE - (Butte County), November 2018


Structures destroyed: 18,804


Acres burned: 153,336


Deaths: 86



2. TUBBS FIRE - (Napa County, Sonoma County), October 2017


Structures destroyed: 5,636


Acres burned: 36,807


Deaths: 22



3. TUNNEL FIRE - Oakland Hills (Alameda County), October 1991


Structures destroyed: 2,900


Acres burned: 1,600


Deaths: 25



4. CEDAR FIRE (San Diego County), October 2003


Structures destroyed: 2,820


Acres burned: 273,246


Deaths: 15



5. VALLEY FIRE (Lake, Napa & Sonoma County), September 2015



Structures destroyed: 1,955


Acres burned: 76,067


Deaths: 4




6. WITCH FIRE (San Diego County), October 2007


Structures destroyed: 1,650


Acres burned: 197,990


Deaths: 2



7. WOOLSEY FIRE (Ventura County), Nov. 2018


Structures destroyed: 1,643


Acres burned: 96,949


Deaths: 3



8. CARR FIRE (Shasta County, Trinity County), July 2018


Structures destroyed: 1,614


Acres burned: 229,651


Deaths: 8



9. NUNS FIRE (Sonoma County), October 2017


Structures destroyed: 1,355


Acres burned: 54,382


Deaths: 3



10. THOMAS FIRE (Ventura County, Santa Barbara), December 2017


Structures destroyed: 1,063



Acres burned: 281,893


Deaths: 2

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