Crime & Safety
Top 10 Largest Wildfires In CA History
The Thomas Fire this week became the largest wildfire in state history. Here's a look back on other massive blazes.
CALIFORNIA -- The Thomas Fire burning in Southern California became the largest wildfire in state history this week. The fire, which was 273,400 acres, was 65 percent contained this week.
As the state copes with the worst fire season on record, here's a look back at other massive blazes.
According to the CalFire, the top 10 wildfires in the state's history are:
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1. Thomas Fire
Date: December 2017
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County: Ventura and Santa Barbara
Cause: Under investigation
Acres: 273,400 Acres
Structures Destroyed: 1063
Deaths: 1
2. Cedar Fire
Date: October 2003
County: San Diego
Cause: Human-related
Acres: 273,246
Structures Destroyed: 2,820
Deaths: 15
3. Rush Fire
Date: August 2012
County: Lassen
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 271,911 in California and 43,666 in Nevada
No structure destroyed or deaths reported
4. Rim Fire
Date: August 2013
County: Tuolumne
Cause: Human-reated
Acres: 257,314
Structures Destroyed: 112
No deaths reported
5. Zaca Fire
Date: July 2007
County: Santa Barbara
Cause: Human-related
Acres: 240,207
Structures Destroyed: 1
No deaths reported
6. Matilija Fire
Date: September 1932
County: Ventura
Cause: Undetermined
Acres: 220,000
No structures destroyed or deaths reported
7. Witch Fire
Date: October 2007
County: San Diego
Cause: Power lines
Acres: 197,990
Structures Destroyed: 1,650
Deaths: 2
8. Klamath Theater Complex Fire
Date: June 2008
County: Siskiyou
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 192,038
Deaths: 2
No structures destroyed
9. Marble Cone Fire
Date: July 1977
County: Monterey
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 177,866
10. Laguna Fire
Date: September 1970
County: San Diego
Cause: Power lines
Acres: 175,425
Structures Destroyed: 382
Deaths: 5
--Photo courtesy of Ventura County Fire Department
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