Wildfires have ravaged the globe, leaving destruction and devastation in their wake. From the Australian Bushfires to the Siberian Taiga Fires, we take a devastating look at the largest wildfires in world history.
The Largest Wildfires in World History: A Devastating Look at the Scale of Destruction
Wildfires have been shaping landscapes, ecosystems, and human history for centuries. Some of the deadliest wildfires have burned across millions of acres, leaving behind devastation and reshaping the way we manage fire-prone environments.
Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that occur in wildland areas, such as forests, grasslands, and brushlands.
They can be caused by lightning, human activity, or other natural factors.
According to the National Interagency Coordination Center, there were over 58,000 wildfires in the United States in 2020, burning over 10 million acres of land.
Wildfires can have devastating effects on ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and human communities, causing loss of life, property damage, and air quality issues.
The Most Destructive Wildfires in World History
The most devastating wildfires have been fueled by dry conditions, lightning strikes, and strong winds, leading to some of the most destructive wildfires on record. Here’s a list of the 15 largest wildfires in world history, ranked by area burned:
1. New South Wales Bushfires (1974-75)
The devastating summer of 1974-1975 saw quite possibly ‘the most extensive fires in modern world history,’ with a staggering 289 million acres (117 million hectares) burned by the fires. Approximately 15 percent of the total landmass of Australia was burned.
2. 2019-2020 Australian Bushfires
The 2019-2020 Australian Bushfires burned an estimated 60 million acres (24.3 million hectares), devastating wildlife and communities. Known as Black Summer, these fires were among the most devastating wildfires in Australia’s history.
3. Siberian Taiga Fires (2003)
The Siberian Taiga Fires consumed an estimated 55 million acres (22 million hectares) of boreal forest, making them some of the largest wildfires in recorded history. These fires were fueled by drought and lightning strikes, devastating vast regions of Russia’s remote wilderness.
The Siberian Taiga, also known as the Boreal Forest, is one of the world's largest forest ecosystems.
However, it has been ravaged by massive fires in recent years.
These fires are often caused by lightning strikes, human activity, and climate change.
The consequences are severe: deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2020, a record-breaking fire season burned over 13 million hectares of forest, releasing an estimated 600 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
4. 2021 Russian Wildfires
Russia has seen some of the largest wildfires on the planet, and the 2021 fires were no exception. Burning nearly 44.5 million acres (18 million hectares), these fires were exacerbated by climate change, which caused exceptional heat and drought in the boreal forest.
5. Black Dragon Fire (1987)
One of the largest wildfires in North American history, the Black Dragon Fire scorched over 18 million acres (7.3 million hectares) across China and Russia. The fires burned rapidly due to strong winds, resulting in one of the most destructive wildfires in Asia’s history.
6. The 1989 Manitoba Fires
One of the largest wildfires in Canadian history, the 1989 Manitoba Fires burned nearly 8 million acres (3.2 million hectares). These fires prompted mass evacuations and significantly altered fire suppression strategies.
7. Black Friday Bushfires (1939)
Burning almost 5 million acres (2 million hectares) in Australia, the Black Friday Bushfires remain some of the most lethal wildfires in history. Fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions, the fires burned large sections of Victoria, completely destroying entire towns.
The Black Friday Bushfires occurred on December 13, 1938, in Victoria, Australia.
This devastating bushfire event was one of the worst in Australian history, burning over 1 million hectares and killing 71 people.
The firestorm swept through the town of 'Moe' , destroying homes and businesses.
The disaster led to significant changes in bushfire management policies in 'Australia' , including the creation of the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
The Black Friday Bushfires serve as a reminder of the importance of wildfire prevention and preparedness.
8. Chinchaga Fire (1950)
The Chinchaga Fire, also known as the Wisp Fire, burned approximately 3.5 to 4.2 million acres (1.4 to 1.7 million hectares) in northern British Columbia and eastern North America. The Chinchaga Fire started in early fall and produced the Great Smoke Pall, darkening skies as far away as Europe.
9. Great Fire of 1919
The Great Fire of 1919 burned over 5 million acres (2 million hectares) across eastern North America, including parts of Minnesota and Ontario. This forest fire was exacerbated by drought and high winds, leading to widespread destruction.
10. The Big Burn (1910)
Also known as the Big Burn, this wildfire consumed over 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) across northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana. It is considered the largest in U.S. history and remains one of the worst wildfires in history, shaping modern fire management policies.
11. The Great Midwest Fires of 1871
A string of deadly fires that include the infamous Great Chicago Fire and the Peshtigo Fire, the Great Fires of 1871 consumed nearly 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) across Michigan and Wisconsin. High temperatures and strong winds contributed to some of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history.
12. Taylor Complex Fire (2004)
A series of wildfires in Alaska burned approximately 1.3 million acres (526,000 hectares) in 2004. This was in the exceptionally severe 2004 wildfire season, with smoke spreading as far as the Los Angeles area.
13. Smokehouse Creek Fire (2024)
The Smokehouse Creek Fire ignited in Texas in 2024, burning over 1 million acres (428,000 hectares) over nearly three weeks. One of the largest wildfires in Texas history, it underscored the growing risks posed by extreme heat and drought in the region.
14. The Yellowstone Fires (1988)
The Yellowstone Fires of 1988 burned around 794,000 acres (321,000 hectares) and transformed fire policy in U.S. national parks. The fires were fueled by drought, and while they caused significant damage, they also helped ecosystems regenerate naturally.
15. 2010 Russian Wildfires
Burning over 740,000 acres (300,000 hectares), the 2010 Russian Wildfires devastated large portions of the country. Smoke and air pollution spread across Moscow, causing severe health impacts for residents.
This article was created in conjunction with AI technology and fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- howstuffworks.com | The Largest Wildfire in World History Burned 15% of a Continent
