Wildfires are more than just big fires in the woods. They change towns, families, and even the way our laws are written. Some fires burn so fast and so hot that they leave behind lessons we can’t afford to forget. They show us how powerful nature can be, and how important it is to prepare, respond, and rebuild smarter.
When we look back at the most deadly and costly wildfires in U.S. history, we see patterns. Many of these disasters were made worse by dry weather, strong winds, and communities built close to forests. According to data analysis by Singleton Schreiber on the largest wildfires in U.S. history, the scale of damage is not just measured in acres burned, but in lives changed and laws rewritten.
These fires didn’t just destroy homes. They pushed lawmakers to improve building codes, strengthen emergency systems, and rethink land use. In many ways, wildfires have shaped the rules that protect us today. Understanding the past helps us see why those laws exist—and why they still matter as wildfires become more common and more intense.
The 5 Most Deadly and Costly Wildfires in U.S. History
These fires didn’t just burn land. They changed how the country thinks about safety, building, and responsibility.
1. Peshtigo Fire (1871) – Wisconsin
The deadliest wildfire in U.S. history.
- About 1,500–2,500 deaths
- Over 1.2 million acres burned
After Peshtigo, states began funding organized fire departments instead of relying on volunteers. Wisconsin later passed early forest management laws to control logging waste, which had fueled the fire.
2. Great Fire of 1910 – Idaho & Montana
Also called “The Big Blowup.”
- 86 deaths
- 3 million acres burned
This fire led to the creation of strict federal fire policy. The U.S. Forest Service adopted the “10 a.m. rule,” requiring fires to be controlled by 10 a.m. the next day. It shaped modern wildfire response for decades.
3. Oakland Firestorm (1991) – California
- 25 deaths
- Billions in damage
California responded with tougher building rules. The state updated Public Resources Code §4291, which requires:
“A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building… shall maintain defensible space of 100 feet.”
You now see fire-resistant roofs and siding across high-risk areas because of this fire.
4. Camp Fire (2018) – California
- 85 deaths
- Town of Paradise destroyed
- $16.5 billion in damage
This fire pushed major legal changes:
- Utilities must follow California Public Utilities Code §8386, which forces power companies to create wildfire prevention plans.
- California also passed SB 901, allowing utilities to shut off power during high-risk wind events.
You’ve likely felt those shutoffs. This fire is why.
5. Maui Fires (2023) – Hawaii
- 96 deaths
- Lahaina largely destroyed
Hawaii updated emergency alert rules and land-use planning. The state now requires better evacuation routes and stronger warning systems in coastal towns.
How Wildfires Changed the Law
Most fire laws focus on three things:
- Defensible space around homes
- Fire-safe building materials
- Utility company responsibility
If you live near forests, these laws affect you directly:
- Where you can build
- What materials you must use
- How close trees can grow to your home
- When your power may shut off
Wildfires forced these changes. The damage made ignoring risk too costly. And as fires grow larger, lawmakers keep tightening the rules.
Key Takeaways
- The Peshtigo Fire and the Great Fire of 1910 pushed states and the federal government to build formal wildfire response systems.
- California’s worst fires led to defensible space laws and fire-resistant building codes.
- The Camp Fire changed how utility companies manage power lines and shutoffs during high risk weather.
- The Maui fires triggered new rules for emergency alerts and evacuation planning.
- Today’s wildfire laws focus on home safety, land use, and utility responsibility—because past disasters made the risks clear.
