California Wildfire History

The major wildfires that shaped California — and why today’s risk looks the way it does. The largest on this list, the 2020 August Complex, burned about 1032K acres.

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Major California wildfires

  1. 2025

    Palisades & Eaton Fires

    · 37,000 acres

    Two January 2025 firestorms destroyed roughly 16,000 structures across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena — among the most destructive in U.S. history.

  2. 2024

    Park Fire

    · 429,000 acres

    Ignited near Chico and grew into one of the largest wildfires in California history across Butte and Tehama counties.

  3. 2021

    Caldor Fire

    · 222,000 acres

    Crossed the Sierra crest and forced the first-ever evacuation of South Lake Tahoe.

  4. 2020

    August Complex

    · 1,032,000 acres

    California’s first “gigafire” — over a million acres across the Coast Range.

  5. 2018

    Camp Fire

    · 154,000 acres

    Destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 people — the deadliest and most destructive fire in state history.

  6. 2018

    Carr Fire

    · 230,000 acres

    Generated a deadly fire tornado that crossed into Redding.

  7. 2017

    Thomas Fire

    · 282,000 acres

    Then the largest in state history; the subsequent Montecito debris flow killed 23.

  8. 2017

    Tubbs Fire

    · 37,000 acres

    Destroyed ~5,600 structures including Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park.

  9. 2003

    Cedar Fire

    · 273,000 acres

    Swept San Diego County’s backcountry; 15 deaths and 2,820 structures lost.

Figures are rounded from official sources (CAL FIRE, NIFC, state forestry agencies) for well-documented incidents. For the full federal record, see InciWeb and NIFC.

California wildfire history — frequently asked

What was the largest wildfire in California history?

The largest wildfire on this California timeline is the 2020 August Complex, which burned about 1,032,000 acres. California’s first “gigafire” — over a million acres across the Coast Range.

What was the most recent major wildfire in California?

The most recent major fire on this California timeline is the 2025 Palisades & Eaton Fires. Two January 2025 firestorms destroyed roughly 16,000 structures across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena — among the most destructive in U.S. history.

How many major wildfires has California had?

This California timeline documents 9 major recorded wildfires, from the 2003 to the 2025, drawn from official sources.

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