Nationally, a total of 58,733 wildfires in the U.S. consumed 7,125,643 acres and destroyed 5, 972 structures. These numbers are similar to five and 10-year averages, however certain geographic areas including Northern California, Northwest and Eastern areas, and the Northern Rockies experienced abnormally high levels of fire activity due to above-normal temperatures and increased lightning activity. The Johnson Fire in New Mexico which began on May 20, 2021, was the first reported significant incident of the year, burning 88,918 acres. (NIFC)
Some of the most destructive wildfires of 2021 include:
- Dixie Fire (CA)
- Start Date: July 13, 2021
- Contain or Last Report Date: October 23, 2021
- 963, 309 acres burned and $637,428,216 in damages
- Bootleg Fire (OR)
- Start Date: July 6, 2021
- Contain or Last Report Date: August 13, 2021
- 413, 717 acres burned and $100,900,000 in damages
- Monument Fire (CA)
- Start Date: July 31, 2021
- Contain or Last Report Date: October 25, 2021
- 223,124 acres burned and $163,739,291 in damages
- Caldor Fire (CA)
- Start Date: August 14, 2021
- Contain or Last Report Date: October 20, 2021
- 221, 835 acres burned and $271,147,512 in damages
- River Complex Fire (CA)
- Start Date: August 14, 2021
- Contain or Last Report Date: October 20, 2021
- 199, 359 acres burned and $95,340,595 in damages
Date of event: May 20-December 23, 2021
Impact:
- 3 deaths (CDP);
- $70 billion to $90 billion in damages (AccuWeather)
Related Resources:
- Wildfire Statistics [Updated October 4, 2021]
- 2021 Wildfire Season: Brief Overview of FEMA Programs and Resources [August 2, 2021]
- 2021 SMUD Wildfire Mitigation Plan
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Photo Credit: ERSI