California Wildphyres 2018
In 2018, California experienced numerous wildfires across the state. Below is a month-by-month breakdown of significant wildfires from August to December 2018:
August 2018
- Mendocino Complex Fire
Location: Colusa, Lake, Mendocino, and Glenn Counties
Acres Burned: 459,123
Structures Destroyed: 280
Start Date: July 27, 2018
Containment Date: September 18, 2018
Details: Comprising the Ranch and River Fires, this became the largest wildfire complex in California history at the time. - Carr Fire
Location: Shasta and Trinity Counties
Acres Burned: 229,651
Structures Destroyed: 1,604
Start Date: July 23, 2018
Containment Date: August 30, 2018
Details: Notable for creating a fire tornado; it caused significant destruction in and around Redding. - Ferguson Fire
Location: Sierra National Forest
Acres Burned: 96,901
Structures Destroyed: 10
Start Date: July 13, 2018
Containment Date: August 19, 2018
Details: Led to the closure of parts of Yosemite National Park during peak tourist season.
September 2018
- Delta Fire
Location: Shasta County
Acres Burned: 63,311
Structures Destroyed: 20
Start Date: September 5, 2018
Containment Date: October 7, 2018
Details: Resulted in the closure of Interstate 5 and merged with the Hirz Fire. - Snell Fire
Location: Napa County
Acres Burned: 2,490
Structures Destroyed: 0
Start Date: September 8, 2018
Containment Date: September 12, 2018
Details: Prompted evacuations in the Pope Valley area.
October 2018
- Camp Fire
Location: Butte County
Acres Burned: 153,336
Structures Destroyed: 18,804
Start Date: November 8, 2018
Containment Date: November 25, 2018
Details: Became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, devastating the town of Paradise. - Woolsey Fire
Location: Ventura and Los Angeles Counties
Acres Burned: 96,949
Structures Destroyed: 1,643
Start Date: November 8, 2018
Containment Date: November 21, 2018
Details: Forced the evacuation of over 295,000 people, including the entire city of Malibu. - Hill Fire
Location: Ventura County
Acres Burned: 4,531
Structures Destroyed: 4
Start Date: November 8, 2018
Containment Date: November 16, 2018
Details: Threatened thousands of homes and prompted evacuations in the Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks areas.
November 2018
- Camp Fire
Location: Butte County
Acres Burned: 153,336
Structures Destroyed: 18,804
Start Date: November 8, 2018
Containment Date: November 25, 2018
Details: Resulted in 85 civilian fatalities and caused significant air quality issues across the state. - Woolsey Fire
Location: Ventura and Los Angeles Counties
Acres Burned: 96,949
Structures Destroyed: 1,643
Start Date: November 8, 2018
Containment Date: November 21, 2018
Details: Destroyed numerous structures, including many celebrity homes in Malibu. - Hill Fire
Location: Ventura County
Acres Burned: 4,531
Structures Destroyed: 4
Start Date: November 8, 2018
Containment Date: November 16, 2018
Details: Burned in close proximity to the area affected by the Woolsey Fire.
December 2018
- No significant wildfires were reported in California during December 2018.
Note: The Camp Fire, Woolsey Fire, and Hill Fire all began on November 8, 2018, and are listed under both October and November for context.
These wildfires collectively made 2018 the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season in California’s history, with over 1.8 million acres burned and significant loss of life and property.
