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The Worst Wildfires in US History
Drake Bird Wiping out millions of acres of land and killing hundreds, the worst wildfires in US history are some of the worst natural disasters to hit the country ever. Though not all were caused by natural means, with some set by arsonists or created by abandoned campfires, each devastated large areas of land, wiped out buildings and caused fatalities.
Though modern times have seen large fires, especially in California and Texas in the past few years, the worst fires ever seen in the United States took place over 100 years ago. The deadliest, the 1871 Peshtigo Fire, claimed 2,500 lives while the largest was the Great Fire of 1910, burning three million acres of land.
As shown in these incidents of tragedy, wildfires are very dangerous and can claim lives just like the worst tornadoes ever and the worst earthquakes in history. Fortunately, as the old slogan states, forest fires can be prevented.
Though modern times have seen large fires, especially in California and Texas in the past few years, the worst fires ever seen in the United States took place over 100 years ago. The deadliest, the 1871 Peshtigo Fire, claimed 2,500 lives while the largest was the Great Fire of 1910, burning three million acres of land.
As shown in these incidents of tragedy, wildfires are very dangerous and can claim lives just like the worst tornadoes ever and the worst earthquakes in history. Fortunately, as the old slogan states, forest fires can be prevented.
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1871 Peshtigo Fire
Killing as many of 2,500 people, the 1871 Peshtigo Fire is believed to be the deadliest fire in United States history. The fire took place on October 8, 1871, in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, burning 1.2 million acres of land. - 2
Great Fire of 1910
Believed to be the largest fire in U.S. history, the Great Fire of 1910 burned over two days from August 21 and August 21, 1910, in the states of Washington, Idaho and Montana. An estimated three million acres of land were burned by the blaze and 87 people were killed. - 3
1825 Miramichi Fire
Mainly affecting New Brunswick, Canada, the Great Miramichi Fire took place in October 1825 and wiped out roughly 20% of New Brunswick's forests as well as affected the state of Maine. Three million acres of land were burned and an estimated 160 people perished in the fire, which was believed to have been caused by heat. - 4
2004 Taylor Complex Fire
The Taylor Complex Fire was part of a record-breaking 2004 fire season in Alaska that burned a combined 6.6 million acres. This fire accounted for 1.3 million acres alone, making it the single largest wildfire in the United States during the period of 1997 to 2007. - 5
Summer 2008 California Wildfires
Burning land in Northern and Central California, the Summer 2008 California Wildfires included over 2,780 individual fires that occurred between May 22 and August 29, 2008. Killing 23 people and destroying over 1.15 million acres of land, the fires were believed to be caused by a combination of lightning and heat.
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The Worst Wildfires in US History at 2/11/2013 8:30 AM
The Worst Wildfires in US History at 2/06/2013 3:30 PM
The Worst Wildfires in US History at 11/16/2011 8:22 AM