Year in Review: The 16 Largest Human-Caused Wildfires in 2024

Intense wildfire blazing on hills, reflecting over a calm river in Orondo, Washington.

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Historic drought and abnormally dry conditions made 2024 a particularly dangerous fire year. The National Weather Service issued several Red Flag Warnings to fire-naïve places like New York City and Connecticut, warning of conditions like dry vegetation, high winds, and low humidity that significantly increase the risk of wildfire.

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In total, 2024 saw more than 54,000 fires that burned a collective 8.5 million acres. And while climate change likely contributed to an increase in naturally occurring wildfires, 2024 also saw a number of major human-caused wildfires. The Wildcat Fire in Maricopa County, for example, which burned more than 14,000 acres in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, was reportedly started by an off-road vehicle, which can inadvertently start wildfires through high-heat exhaust systems and sparks from mechanical parts. A closer look at NIFC data reveals the biggest human-caused wildfires of 2024.

To determine the biggest human-caused wildfires of 2024, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on wildfire perimeters from the National Interagency Fire Center. Fires that were discovered on January 1st, 2024 or later that the NIFC categorizes as “human-caused” – as opposed to natural or undetermined – were ranked based on total burned acreage. Supplemental data on discovery date and containment date are also from the NIFC.

16. Salt Fire

Total burned area: 7,939 acres
Date discovered: June 17, 2024
Date contained: August 27, 2024
Affected areas: Otero County, NM; Lincoln County, NM

15. Jack Wells Fire

Total burned area: 8,373 acres
Date discovered: October 1, 2024
Date contained: October 3, 2024
Affected areas: Okanogan County, WA

14. Beam Road Fire

Total burned area: 8,542 acres
Date discovered: June 15, 2024
Date contained: N/A
Affected areas: Yakima County, WA

13. Alexander Mountain Fire

Total burned area: 9,625 acres
Date discovered: July 29, 2024
Date contained: August 17, 2024
Affected areas: Larimer County, CO

12. Wildcat Fire

Total burned area: 14,402 acres
Date discovered: May 18, 2024
Date contained: May 31, 2024
Affected areas: Maricopa County, AZ

11. Horse Gulch Fire

Total burned area: 15,167 acres
Date discovered: July 9, 2024
Date contained: July 27, 2024
Affected areas: Lewis and Clark County, MT; Broadwater County, MT

10. Larch Creek Fire

Total burned area: 18,286 acres
Date discovered: July 9, 2024
Date contained: July 26, 2024
Affected areas: Wasco County, OR

9. Airport Fire

Total burned area: 23,519 acres
Date discovered: September 9, 2024
Date contained: October 6, 2024
Affected areas: Orange County, CA; Riverside County, CA

8. Castle Ridge Fire

Total burned area: 25,885 acres
Date discovered: October 6, 2024
Date contained: October 17, 2024
Affected areas: Elko County, NV

7. Grape Vine Creek Fire

Total burned area: 34,883 acres
Date discovered: February 26, 2024
Date contained: March 10, 2024
Affected areas: Gray County, TX

6. Pioneer Fire

Total burned area: 38,730 acres
Date discovered: June 8, 2024
Date contained: October 4, 2024
Affected areas: Chelan County, WA

5. Retreat Fire

Total burned area: 45,601 acres
Date discovered: July 23, 2024
Date contained: October 16, 2024
Affected areas: Yakima County, WA

4. Catesby Fire

Total burned area: 89,688 acres
Date discovered: February 27, 2024
Date contained: N/A
Affected areas: Ellis County, OK

3. Windy Deuce Fire

Total burned area: 143,302 acres
Date discovered: February 27, 2024
Date contained: March 17, 2024
Affected areas: Carson County, TX; Potter County, TX; Moore County, TX; Hutchinson County, TX

2. Falls Fire

Total burned area: 151,683 acres
Date discovered: July 10, 2024
Date contained: August 23, 2024
Affected areas: Harney County, OR; Grant County, OR

1. Smokehouse Creek Fire

Total burned area: 1,054,153 acres
Date discovered: February 26, 2024
Date contained: March 17, 2024
Affected areas: Roberts County, TX; Hemphill County, TX; Hutchinson County, TX; Ellis County, OK; Carson County, TX; Roger Mills County, OK; Gray County, TX; Wheeler County, TX; Lipscomb County, TX