Camp Fire is deadliest wildfire in California history

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Thursday, May 9, 2024
Deadliest wildfires in California's history
The Camp Fire has killed 86 people and at one point left hundreds of people unaccounted for. Here's a look at other deadly wildfires in California history.

The death toll in Northern California's Camp Fire reached historic levels after the blaze devastated Butte County in November 2018.



The fire has killed 86 people, the most in a single blaze in state history, and at one point left nearly 500 people unaccounted for.



PHOTOS: Camp Fire burns through Butte County, California


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In this aerial photograph, an evacuee encampment is seen at a Walmart parking lot in Chico, California on November 19, 2018.
Josh Edelson for the Washington Post


The next deadliest California wildfire, which killed 29 people, was the Griffith Park Fire in Los Angeles County more than 80 years ago.



Here are the deadliest wildfires in California history, according to statistics compiled by CalFire as of August 2019.



1. CAMP FIRE - (Butte County), November 2018


Deaths: 86


Structures destroyed: 18,804


Acres burned: 153,336



RELATED: Camp Fire is now most destructive wildfire in California history



2. GRIFFITH PARK - (Los Angeles County), October 1933


Deaths: 29


Structures destroyed: 0


Acres burned: 47



3. TUNNEL FIRE - Oakland Hills (Alameda County), October 1991


Deaths: 25


Structures destroyed: 2,900


Acres burned: 1,600



4. TUBBS (Napa and Sonoma counties), October 2017



Deaths: 22


Structures destroyed: 5,643


Acres burned: 36,807



5. CEDAR FIRE (San Diego County), October 2003


Deaths: 15


Structures destroyed: 2,820


Acres burned: 273,246



6. RATTLESNAKE (Glenn County), July 1953


Deaths: 15


Structures destroyed: 0


Acres burned: 1,340





7. LOOP (Los Angeles County), November 1966


Deaths: 12


Structures destroyed: 0


Acres burned: 2,028





8. HAUSER CREEK (San Diego County), October 1943


Deaths: 11


Structures destroyed: 0


Acres burned: 13,145



9. INAJA (San Diego County), November 1956


Deaths: 11


Structures destroyed: 0


Acres burned: 43,904



10. IRON ALPS COMPLEX (Trinity County), August 2008


Deaths: 10


Structures destroyed: 10


Acres burned: 105,855



RELATED COVERAGE: Wildfire updates across California

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