List of wildfires

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This is a list of notable wildfires:

China

  • 1987 – The Black Dragon fire burnt a total of 72,884 square kilometres (28,141 sq mi) of forest along the Amur river, with three million acres (4687.5 square miles) destroyed on the Chinese side.[1]

Indonesia

Forest fires in Indonesia occur annually. When there is a weather pattern disturbance because of strong El Nino, the number and the distribution of forest fires in Indonesia increased significantly. When there is a weather pattern disturbance because of strong La Nina, the number and the distribution of forest fire in Indonesia decreased. An El Nino is usually followed by La Nina on the following year. The strength of disturbance is determined by Southern oscillation index. Large forest fire in Indonesia because of strong El Nino:

  • 1982 and 1983 – Massive forest fires in Kalimantan and East Sumatra. 36,000 km2 (14,000 sq mi) of forest burned down. There are other forest fires in Java and Sulawesi on the same year.
  • 1997 and 1998 – Unprecedented forest fires in Kalimantan and East Sumatra. 97,000 km2 (37,000 sq mi) of forest were destroyed, more than 2.6 gigatonnes of CO2 was released to the atmosphere. The underground smouldering fire on the peat bogs continue to burn and ignite new forest fire each year during dry season. There are other forest fires in Java and Sulawesi on the same year.
  • Starting in June and ending in October 2015 - Huge forest fires that officials deemed as "too furious for human intervention" burned 52,000 hectares of land in Sumatra and 138,000 hectares in Kalimantan. The haze coevered countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Burma, Philippines and also Vietnam. In Singapore some of the 2015 FINA Swimming World Cup's events on 3 October 2015 were cancelled as the PSI was in the 'Unhealthy' range. In Thailand the haze from Sumatra had turned most parts of southern Thailand such as Narathiwat, Pattani, Phuket, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang and Yala provinces unsightly, even reaching hazardous levels on 7 October. In Vietnamn, Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces in Southern Vietnam had been enveloped in fog since 4 October.

Japan

  • April 27, 1971 – 340 hectares (840 acres) was lost in a forest fire at Kure, western Honshu, Japan. Construction workers were using fire in order to wither weeds when a strong wind moved through the area, fueling the fire; 18 firefighters were killed. The fire lasted for one day.

Israel

South Korea

Australia

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See also: Bushfires in Australia

Europe

Croatia

Germany

Greece

  • 2000 forest fires in Greece, a series of forest fires affected Greece including Agioi Theodoroi and eastern Corinthia at the beginning of July 2000
  • 2005 East Attica Fire in Greece – Forest fires ravaged East Attica on July 28, 2005 from Agia Triada Rafinas to west of Rafina. The fires began at around 11:00 (EET/UTC+3) consuming 70 square kilometers of forests, properties and farmlands. The fire spread quickly after a few hours with winds of up to 55 to 70 km/h and spread near the suburban housings of Athens near Rafina causing dense smoke. The fire reached Kallitechnio and the settlements by around 3:30 (EET) and devastated homes leaving some people homeless and evacuated people in areas around Agia Triada Rafinas, Agia Kyriaki Rafinas, Kallitechnio, Loutsa, Neos Vourtzas and the Rafina area mostly on the hillside areas. Pine trees were devastated. Firefighters didn't put out the blaze until the winds calmed down around 5:00 (EET). It took hundreds of fire trucks, firefighters, planes, 65 firefighting helicopters from all over the surrounding areas and most of Greece to put out the blaze. A stretch of Marathonos Avenue became closed.
  • July 29, 2005 – a day after the enormous Attica fire, another series of fires occurred throughout Greece, entirely in Preveza including Monolithi consuming properties and a campground, Ioannina and Xiromeni of Aetolia-Acarnania.
  • 2007 Greek forest fires
  • 2009 Greek forest fires
  • 2012 Chios forest fire

Italy and France

  • 2000 fires in Southern Europe in July 2000 consumed forests and buildings in southern France, parts of Iberia, Corsica, and most of Italy including the southern part during the heatwave dominating southern Europe with 40 to 45 °C temperatures caused the phenomena.

France

August 1949 The great forest fire of 1949 in the Landes Forest burning 50.000 ha of forest land and killing 82 people

Poland

  • Kuźnia Raciborska fire in Poland burned 90.62 km² of forest and killed two firefighters on 26 August 1992. A third casualty is often mentioned, but she did not die in the fire; she was involved in a collision with a fire engine that skidded.

Portugal

Russia and Soviet Union

Spain

  • July 17, 2005 – Guadalajara province, Spain, a 130 km2 forest fire and 11 dead firefighters. The fire brigade unit is not out of post because of this deadly toll. A barbecue sparked deadly blazes.

Sweden

UK

  • May 2011 - Swinley Forest fire, Berkshire, England. Fire appliances from 12 counties attended over several days due to the large area of the fire. The fire service incident log for the call is over 500 pages long.[5][6]

North America

Year Size Name Area Notes
1825 3,000,000 3,000,000 acres (1,200,000 ha) Miramichi Fire New Brunswick Killed 160 people.
1853 0,482,000 482,000 acres (195,000 ha) Yaquina Fire[7] Oregon
1865 1,000,000 1,000,000 acres (400,000 ha) Silverton Fire Oregon Worst recorded fire in state's history.[7]
1870 0,964,000 964,000 acres (390,000 ha) [8] Saguenay Fire[9][10] Quebec
1871 1,200,000 1,200,000 acres (490,000 ha) Peshtigo Fire Wisconsin Killed over 1,700 people and has distinction of the conflagration that caused the most deaths by fire in United States history. It was overshadowed by the Great Chicago Fire that occurred on the same day.
1871 2,500,000 2,500,000 acres (1,000,000 ha) The Great Michigan Fire Michigan It was overshadowed by the Great Chicago Fire that occurred on the same day.
1876 0,500,000 500,000 acres (200,000 ha) Bighorn Fire Wyoming
1881 1,000,000 1,000,000 acres (400,000 ha) Thumb Fire Michigan Killed 200+ people
1889 0,300,000 300,000 acres (120,000 ha) Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889 California
1894 0,160,000 160,000 acres (65,000 ha) Hinckley Fire Minnesota Killed 418 people and destroyed 12 towns
1903 0,464,000 464,000 acres (188,000 ha) Adirondack Fire New York
1910 3,000,000 3,000,000 acres (1,200,000 ha) Great Fire of 1910 Idaho-
Montana-
Washington		 Killed 86 people, including 78 firefighters
1911 0,500,000 500,000 acres (200,000 ha) Great Porcupine Fire Ontario Killed 73 people
1916 0,500,000 500,000 acres (200,000 ha) Great Matheson Fire Ontario Killed 228 (U.O. 400+) people and destroyed several towns, Cochrane burnt again after just five years.
1918 0,100,000 100,000 acres (40,000 ha) Cloquet Fire Minnesota-
Wisconsin		 Killed between 400 and 500 people
1922 0,415,000 415,000 acres (168,000 ha) Great Fire of 1922 Ontario Killed 43 people and burnt through 18 townships in the Timiskaming District
1947 0,175,000 175,000 acres (71,000 ha) The Great Fires of 1947 Maine A series of fires that lasted ten days; 16 people killed
1948 0,645,000 645,000 acres (261,000 ha) Mississagi/Chapleau fire Ontario
1949 0,004,500 4,500 acres (1,800 ha) Mann Gulch fire Montana Killed 13 firefighters
1950 3,500,000 3,500,000 acres (1,400,000 ha) Chinchaga fire British Columbia and Alberta Largest North American fire on record. The B.C. portion was just 90,000 ha.[11]
1953 0,001,300 1,300 acres (530 ha) Rattlesnake Fire California Killed 15 firefighters. Well known textbook case used to train firefighters.
1958 0,558,260 558,260 acres (225,920 ha) Kech Fire British Columbia Largest wildfire in BC history.[11]
1961 0,016,090 16,090 acres (6,510 ha) Bel Air Fire California 484 homes destroyed and ~112 injuries.
1970 0,175,425 175,425 acres (70,992 ha) Laguna Fire California 382 homes destroyed and 8 people killed.
1985 0,093,000 93,000 acres (38,000 ha) Allen Fire North Carolina In 1985, nearly 93,000 acres of forest, wetlands and farmland burned in northeastern North Carolina in one of the biggest fires in modern state history[12]
1987 0,650,000 650,000 acres (260,000 ha) Siege of 1987 California-Oregon These fires were started by a large lightning storm in late August. The storm started roughly 1600 new fires, most caused by dry lightning.[13]
1988 0,793,880 793,880 acres (321,270 ha) Yellowstone fires of 1988 Wyoming-
Montana		 Never controlled by firefighters; only burned out when a snowstorm hit.
1991 0,001,520 1,520 acres (620 ha) Oakland Hills firestorm California Killed 25 and destroyed 3469 homes and apartments within the cities of Oakland and Berkeley
1993 0,014,337 14,337 acres (5,802 ha) Laguna Beach Fire California Destroyed 441 homes, burned 14,337 acres causing $528,000,000 in damage.[14]
1994 0,002,115 2,115 acres (856 ha) South Canyon fire Colorado Killed 14 firefighters
1998 0,506,000 506,000 acres (205,000 ha) 1998 Florida wildfires Florida 4899 fires, burned 342 homes, $390 million timber lost.[15]
2000 0,048,000 48,000 acres (19,000 ha) Cerro Grande Fire New Mexico Burned about 420 dwellings in Los Alamos, New Mexico, damaged >100 buildings at Los Alamos National Laboratory; $1 billion damage, second worst fire in state's recorded history
2001 0,009,300 9,300 acres (3,800 ha) Thirty Mile Fire Washington Killed 4 firefighters
2002 0,150,700 150,700 acres (61,000 ha) McNally Fire California Largest fire in Sequoia NF history.
2002 0,467,066 467,066 acres (189,015 ha) Rodeo-Chediski fire Arizona Threatened, but did not burn the town of Show Low, Arizona
2002 0,137,760 137,760 acres (55,750 ha) Hayman Fire in Pike National Forest Colorado 5 firefighter deaths, 600 structures fires
2002 0,499,570 499,750 acres (202,240 ha) Florence/Sour Biscuit Complex Fire Oregon 150 million dollars to suppress.
2003 0,084,750 84,750 acres (34,300 ha) Aspen Fire Arizona Destroyed large portions of Summerhaven, Arizona
2003 0,061,776 61,776 acres (25,000 ha) Okanagan Mountain Park Fire British Columbia Displaced 45,000 inhabitants, destroyed 239 homes and threatened urbanized sections of Kelowna.
2003 0,091,281 91,281 acres (36,940 ha) Old Fire California 993 homes destroyed, 6 deaths. Simultaneous with the Cedar Fire.
2003 0,280,278 280,278 acres (113,424 ha) Cedar Fire California Largest recorded fire in California history (see 1889 Santiago Canyon fire that may have been larger); burned 2,232 homes and killed 15 in San Diego County.
2004 1,305,592 1,305,592 acres (528,354 ha) Taylor Complex Fire Alaska Largest wildfire by acreage of 1997–2007 time period
2006 0,040,200 40,200 acres (16,300 ha) Esperanza Fire California Arson-caused wildfire that killed 5 firefighters and destroyed 34 homes and 20 outbuildings.
2007 0,468,938 564,450 acres (228,420 ha) Sweat Farm Road/Big Turnaround Complex Fire Georgia Largest recorded fire in Georgia history. 26 structures were lost.
2007 0,124,584 124,584 acres (50,417 ha) Florida Bugaboo Fire Florida Largest fire on record in Florida.
2007 0,363,052 363,052 acres (146,922 ha) Milford Flat Fire Utah Largest fire on record in Utah.
2007 0,653,100 653,100 acres (264,300 ha) Murphy Complex Fire Idaho – Nevada
2007 0,127,244 127,244 acres (51,494 ha) California wildfires of October 2007 California A series of wildfires that killed 9 people and injured 85 (including 61 firefighters). Burned at least 1,500 homes from the Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border.
2008 0,041,534 41,534 acres (16,808 ha) Evans Road Wildfire Eastern North Carolina Peat fire started on June 1 by lighting strike during North Carolina's drought – the worst on record.
2008 1,557,293 1,557,293 acres (630,214 ha) Summer 2008 California wildfires California In Northern California, the fires were mostly started by lightning. In Santa Barbara (Southern California), the Gap fire endangered homes and lives. The Basin Complex and Gap fire were the highest priority fires in the state at this time.
2009 0,164,500 164,500 acres (66,600 ha) Brittany Triangle Fire British Columbia Also known as the Lava Canyon fire this was the largest fire in BC in 2009. Started July 31 by lighting this fire made news when it threatened wild horse population.[16]
2010 0,098,842 98,842 acres (40,000 ha) Binta Lake Fire British Columbia BC's largest blaze of 2010, resulted in evacuation orders and alerts. Burned 70,000 acres in a 12 hour period.[11]
2011 0,538,049 538,049 acres (217,741 ha) Wallow Fire Arizona & New Mexico The largest fire in Arizona state history. In one 24-hour burn period (6/6-6/7), it consumed 77769 acres of forest land.
2011 0,034,000 34,000 acres (14,000 ha) Bastrop County Complex fire Texas The worst fire in Texas state history,destroyed over 1500 homes
2011 1,748,636 1,748,636 acres (707,648 ha) Richardson Backcountry Fire Alberta Started early in the spring of 2011, as of October 2011 the fire was over 700,000 Ha in size and still burning.
2011 0,156,293 156,293 acres (63,250 ha) Las Conchas Fire New Mexico Second largest fire in New Mexico state history. 63 homes lost. Threatened Los Alamos National Laboratory.
2011 0,012,000 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) Slave Lake Wildfire Alberta Burned through Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada and its surrounding area from May 14, 2011 through May 16, 2011. The fire destroyed roughly one-third of Slave Lake and cost $1.8 billion.
2012 0,289,478 289,478 acres (117,148 ha) Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire New Mexico Largest wildfire in New Mexico state history. Began in the Gila Wilderness as two separate fires that converged, both started by lightning. Destroyed 12 homes in Willow Creek, NM.
2012 0,044,330 44,330 acres (17,940 ha) Little Bear Fire New Mexico Most destructive wildfire in New Mexico state history. Began in the Lincoln National Forest and was started by lightning.
2012 0,087,284 87,284 acres (35,323 ha) High Park Fire Colorado Started by lightning, it is the second largest wildfire in Colorado state history by size.
2012 0,018,247 18,247 acres (7,384 ha) Waldo Canyon Fire Colorado With 346 homes destroyed homes, it is the second most destructive fire in state history. Two fatalities reported.
2012 0,248,000 248,000 acres (100,000 ha) Ash Creek Fire[17] Montana
2012 0,719,694 719,694 acres (291,250 ha) Long Draw Fire and Miller Homestead Fire Oregon Oregon's largest fire in 150 years.
2012 0,332,000 332,000 acres (134,000 ha) Mustang Complex Wildfire Idaho [18]
2013 0,014,198 14,198 acres (5,746 ha)[19] Black Forest Fire Colorado North of Colorado Springs, Large, fast-spreading fire due to dry conditions, high heat and restless winds. Destroyed 509 homes and left 17 homes partially damaged. As of June 13, 2013 it became the most destructive fire in Colorado state history.
2013 0,003,218 3,218 acres (1,302 ha)[20] Royal Gorge Fire Colorado [20] Jumped Royal Gorge and damaged the Royal Gorge Bridge.
2013 0,001,300 1,300 acres (530 ha)[21] Yarnell Hill Fire Arizona 19 firefighters killed on June 30, 2013.
2013 0,617,763 617,763 acres (250,000 ha)[22] Quebec Fire Quebec Over 300 evacuated.
2013 0,222,777 253,332 acres (102,520 ha) [23] Rim Fire California Occurred in Yosemite National Park. Biggest wildfire on record in the Sierra Nevada, and third largest wildfire in California history. Started August 17, 2013 and was contained on October 24, 2013.
2014 0,252,000 252,000 acres (102,000 ha)[24] Carlton Complex Fire Washington Consuming 300 homes between July 14 and July, 2014, this was the largest single wildfire in Washington state history.[25] (Of the 3,000,000 acres Great Fire of 1910, only 150,000 acres were in Washington.)
2014 0,330,555 328,892 acres (133,098 ha) Chelaslie River Fire British Columbia Largest wildfire in BC since 1982. Started July 8 and was still burning aggressively as of August 31. Fully contained by October 9.[26]
2015 0,205,605 205,605 acres (83,205 ha) North Star Fire Washington Third largest single fire in Washington state history. It nearly merged with the Okanogan Complex [2]
2015 0,302,224 302,224 acres (122,306 ha) Okanogan Complex Washington The largest wildfire complex in Washington state history.[27]
2015 0,302,224 70,906 acres (28,695 ha) Bear Creek Fire Montana Largest fire in Bob Marshall Wilderness history. Never fully human controlled and only burned out when a large rainstorm/snowstorm hit.[28]
2015 0,302,224 73,700 acres (29,800 ha) Valley Fire California Still burning.[29]

South America

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Breath of the Black Dragon in Russia and China, The New York Times (October 1, 1988)
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/incident_log_for_swinley_forest
  6. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-13292400
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ [1](French)
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 http://bcwildfire.ca/History/LargeFires.htm
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ http://bcwildfire.com/History/LargeFires2009.htm
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/22726613/2013/06/30/yarnell-hill-wildfire-grows-to-almost-1000-acres
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ http://bcwildfire.com/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=497
  27. ↑ http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/wildfires/2015/08/24/okanogan-complex-grows-twice-size-seattle/32261953/
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4498299-181/valley-fire-now-40-percent?gallery=4495818
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