A look at the five largest fires in California history.
The California Department of Fire and Forest Protection said twin blazes that are being counted as once incident and continued to spread this week became the state’s largest wildfire in history. Here’s a look at the five biggest fires in state history:
1. Mendocino Complex Fire, 455 square miles (1,178 square kilometers) scorched, 143 buildings destroyed, July 2018 in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties, no deaths.
2. Thomas Fire, 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers) scorched, 1,063 buildings destroyed, December 2017 in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, two deaths.
3. Cedar Fire, 426 square miles (1,103 square kilometers) scorched, 2,920 buildings destroyed, October 2003 in San Diego County, 15 deaths.
4. Rush Fire, 425 square miles (1,100 square kilometers) scorched, no buildings destroyed, August 2012 in Lassen County, no deaths.
5. Rim Fire, 402 square miles (1,041 square kilometers) scorched, 112 buildings destroyed, August 2013 in Tuolumne County, no deaths.
