The 15 Deadliest US Wildfires
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/07210715/11-150x150.jpgNearly one month after it started, the Dragon Bravo Fire continues to burn along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Firefighters are facing an uphill battle, as dry conditions and wind gusts have hampered containment efforts. Since it started on July 4, 2025, the fire has prompted mass evacuations and, having spread over 146 square miles, it now ranks among the 10 largest fires in Arizona history.
While the Dragon Bravo Fire’s impact on one of America’s most iconic national parks has helped drive widespread media coverage, it is still only one of three dozen large wildfires burning across the Western United States, including 11 in Alaska, six in Arizona, four in Colorado and Idaho, and three in California. Active wildfires have consumed over 722,800 acres – contributing to over 3.1 million acres in the U.S. that have burned so far this year.
So far, the 2025 wildfire season has been more active than usual, and as dry, windy conditions continue in parts of the country, wildfire risk remains high – posing a threat to both property and life.
Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the deadliest wildfires to hit the United States in recent decades. Only wildfire incidents that occurred since 1980 and caused over $1 billion in damage in inflation adjusted dollars were considered. Fire events are listed in ascending order of the number of deaths attributable to them. All supplemental data is also from NOAA.
15. Western Wildfires (Summer-Fall 2009)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 10
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $1.5 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: June 1, 2009 - November 30, 2009
- Destructive fires involved include: Station Fire
14. Western Wildfires (Summer 2007)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 12
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $4.1 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: June 1, 2007 - August 31, 2007
- Destructive fires involved include: Anaktuvuk River Fire, Zaca Two Fire, Chippy Creek Fire, Murphy Complex Fire, Milford Flat Fire
13. Western and Alaskan Wildfires (Summer-Fall 2015)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 12
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $4.0 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: June 1, 2015 - November 30, 2015
- Destructive fires involved include: Valley Fire, Butte Fire, Okanogan Complex Fire
12. U.S. Wildfires (Fall 2008)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 16
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $1.8 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: September 1, 2008 - November 30, 2008
- Destructive fires involved include: Klamath Theater Complex Fire, Iron Alps Complex Fire, Basin Complex Fire
11. Western Fire Season (Summer 1990)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 17
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $1.7 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: June 1, 1990 - August 31, 1990
- Destructive fires involved include: Dude Fire, A-Rock Fire
10. Western Wildfires (Spring-Fall 2022)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 17
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $3.3 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: April 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022
- Destructive fires involved include: Calf Canyon Fire, Hermits Peak Fire, Double Creek Fire, Moose Fire, Trail Creek Fire, Lime Complex Fire
9. Western Fire Season (Fall 2002)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 21
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $2.3 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: September 1, 2002 - November 30, 2002
- Destructive fires involved include: Rodeo Fire, Chediski Fire, Hayman Fire, Biscuit Fire
8. Western/Southeast Wildfires (Summer-Fall 2016)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 21
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $3.1 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: June 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
- Destructive fires involved include: Cottonwood Fire, McHugh Fire, Cedar Fire, Erskine Fire, Soberanes Fire, Blue Cut Fire, Pioneer Fire, Hot Pot Fire
7. California Wildfires (Fall 2003)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 22
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $6.6 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: September 1, 2003 - November 30, 2003
- Destructive fires involved include: Cedar Fire
6. Oakland Firestorm (October 1991)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 25
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $7.6 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: October 1, 1991 - October 31, 1991
- Destructive fires involved include: Tunnel Fire
5. Numerous Western and Southern Wildfires (2006)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 28
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $2.3 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
- Destructive fires involved include: Bear Fire, Esperanza Fire, Brins Mesa Fire
4. Western Wildfires - California, Oregon, Washington Firestorms (Fall 2020)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 46
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $19.9 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: August 1, 2020 - December 30, 2020
- Destructive fires involved include: August Complex Fire, Santa Clara Unit Complex Fire, Lightning Complex Fire
3. Western Wildfires, California Firestorm (Summer-Fall 2017)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 54
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $23.2 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: June 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
- Destructive fires involved include: Tubbs Fire, Atlas Fire, Nuns Fire, Redwood Valley Fire
2. Hawaii Firestorm (August 2023)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 100
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $5.7 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: August 8, 2023 - August 08, 2023
- Destructive fires involved include: Lahaina Fire, Olinda Fire, Peulehu Fire
1. Western Wildfires, California Firestorm (Summer-Fall 2018)
- Total deaths attributed to wildfires: 106
- Damage caused by wildfire incident: $30.0 billion (inflation adjusted)
- Start and end dates of wildfires: June 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
- Destructive fires involved include: Mendocino Complex Fire, Carr Fire, Woolsey Fire
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