New Delhi: California wildfire has raged into the Hollywood Hills. The wildfire has left five dead, and over 2,000 structures have been burned. At least 13,000 residents are under evacuation as the wildfire is burning across Los Angeles. A red flag warning has been given.
Did you know the largest wildfire was in 2003 in Russia? Over 50 million acres were destroyed in this wildfire. While this is just one example of the worst wildfires in history, let us look at the nine biggest wildfires.
Nine of History’s Most Largest Wildfires: Causes and Consequences
- Siberian Taiga Fires (Russia), 2003 – 55 Million Acres
- Australian Bushfires (Australia), 2019/2020 – 42 Million Acres
- Northwest Territories Fires (Canada), 2014 – 8.5 Million Acres
- Alaska Fire Season (US), 2004 – 6.6 Million Acres
- Black Friday Bushfire (Australia), 1939 – 5 Million Acres
- The Great Fire of 1919 (Canada) – 5 Million Acres
- Chinchaga Fire (Canada), 1950 – 4.2 Million Acres
- Bolivia Forest Fires (South America), 2010 – 3.7 Million Acres
- Great Fire of Connecticut (US), 1910 – 3 Million Acres
2003 Siberian Taiga Fires
In 2003, one of Europe’s hottest summers led to massive fires in the taiga forests of Eastern Siberia. These fires destroyed over 55 million acres (22 million hectares). Dry conditions and increased human activity contributed to these devastating wildfires, which spread across Siberia, the Russian Far East, northern China, and northern Mongolia. Smoke from the fires reached Kyoto, thousands of miles away. The emissions from these fires are comparable to the cuts promised by the European Union under the Kyoto Protocol, and they continue to impact current studies on ozone depletion.
2019/2020 Australian Bushfires
The Australian bushfires from 2019 to 2020 were catastrophic for wildlife. They burned through New South Wales and Queensland, destroying 42 million acres and thousands of buildings and killing dozens of people along with 3 billion animals, including 61,000 koalas. The hot and dry conditions in late 2019 and early 2020 were major factors in these devastating fires.
2014 Northwest Territories Fires
In the summer of 2014, over 150 fires broke out in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Thirteen of these fires were caused by humans. The smoke affected air quality across Canada and even reached Portugal in Europe. Nearly 8.5 million acres (3.5 million hectares) of forest were destroyed, and firefighting efforts cost the government around US$44.4 million. These fires were among the worst in nearly 30 years.
2004 Alaska Fire Season
The 2004 fire season in Alaska was the worst on record. More than 6.6 million acres (2.6 million hectares) burned in 701 fires. Lightning started 215 of these fires, while humans started the other 426. A warm and wet summer led to many lightning strikes, followed by a dry August that caused the fires to spread into September.
1939 Black Friday Bushfire
Known as Black Friday, the 1939 bushfires in Victoria, Australia, destroyed over 5 million acres. These fires followed years of drought, hot temperatures, and strong winds. They covered over three-quarters of the state and killed 71 people. On January 13, temperatures soared to 44.7°C in Melbourne and 47.2°C in Mildura, worsening the fires and resulting in the loss of 36 lives, 700 homes, 69 sawmills, and several farms and businesses.
The Great Fire of 1919
Even though it happened over a century ago, the Great Fire of 1919 remains one of the largest wildfires. In early May, many fires swept through the boreal forests of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Cut timber and strong, dry winds helped the flames spread quickly, destroying about 5 million acres (2 million hectares) and hundreds of buildings and claiming 11 lives in just a few days.
1950 Chinchaga Fire
Also known as the Wisp fire and ‘Fire 19’, the Chinchaga Fire burned in Northern British Columbia and Alberta from June to early fall of 1950. It is one of the largest recorded fires in North America, burning about 4.2 million acres (1.7 million hectares). The fire had less impact on buildings due to the lack of nearby settlements. However, the smoke created a thick cloud called the ‘Great Smoke Pall’ that blocked sunlight for nearly a week.
2010 Bolivia Forest Fires
In August 2010, over 25,000 fires broke out in Bolivia, burning around 3.7 million acres (1.5 million hectares) and heavily damaging the Amazon region. The thick smoke forced the government to cancel many flights and declare a state of emergency. The fires were caused by farmers clearing land for planting and drying vegetation from an extreme summer drought.
1910 Great Fire of Connecticut
Known as the Big Burn, Big Blowup, or the Devil’s Broom fire, this wildfire struck Idaho and Montana in the summer of 1910. Despite lasting only two days, strong winds caused it to merge with other fires, resulting in one massive blaze that destroyed 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares)—about the size of Connecticut. The fire killed 85 people, making it one of the worst wildfires in US history.
This article details nine of the world’s largest wildfires, highlighting their scale, causes, and devastating consequences. From the 2003 Siberian fires that scorched 55 million acres to the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, the article examines historical events that impacted wildlife, human lives, and the environment. Understanding these past events is crucial for preparing for future wildfire risks. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
