Similar US Urban Fires Since 2015
Fires in Chronological Order
Wenatchee WA Sleepy Hollow Fire
Start Date: 6/29/2015
Structures destroyed or damaged: 31
Acreage: 3,000 acres
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment plans: Yes, “Reimagine Wenatchee” with Master Plans
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated vehicles, erratic pattern of burns, twisted metals.
Strong organization: not found
Urban Highlights: It is the “Apple Capital” of the world, situated on the banks of the Columbia River, exporting apples worldwide.
Photos of aftermath:
Middletown, CA Valley Fire
Date: 10/15/15
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1280 homes, 27 multi-family structures, 66 commercial properties, 585 minor structures.
Acreage: 76,067 acres
Deaths: 4
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes “Sustainability Roadmap 2022-2023” and “Lake County 2050 General Plan” for unincorporated areas.
Anomalies noted: Structures gone, white ash, standing trees, incinerated cars, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Middletown Strong associated with Russell Library.
Urban Highlights: Located north of San Francisco, nestled in a valley surrounded by vineyards and wineries.
Drone footage of Middletown:
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Lower Lake, CA Clayton Fire
Date: 8/13/16
Structures destroyed or damaged: 175
Acreage: 3,929
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: General Plan 2050 for Lake County
Anomalies noted: Structures gone, white ash, trees standing, incinerated vehicles, erratic burn patterns, position of the dead goat in the wheelbarrow.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Lower Lake is a census-designated place in the southern Clear Lake region of Lake County, in northern California. Lower Lake is also an Indian rancheria of the Koi Nation people.
Drone footage of Lower Lake: https://www.kqed.org/news/11053249/scenes-from-lake-county-after-the-clayton-fire
Phelan, CA Blue Cut Fire
Start Date: 8/16/16
Structures destroyed or damaged: 318
Acreage: 37,000
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes “2022 Strategic Plan” for Phelan and Pinon Hills.
Anomalies: Structures gone, white ash, trees and bushes remaining, incinerated vehicles, plastic paint buckets, erratic burn patterns.
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Unincorporated working class family community of 18, 272 (2022 census) in the San Bernardino County.
Gatlinburg, Tennesee
Start Date: 11/28/2016
Structures destroyed or damaged: 2000+
Acreage: 16,000
Deaths: 14
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “ Forever Project- Building a Sustainable tomorrow”
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remaining, incinerated vehicles, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban hightlights: The gateway community for the Great Smokey Mountains.
Santa Rosa, CA- Tubbs fire including Napa, Sonoma Counties
Start Date: 10/8/2017
Structures destroyed or damaged: 6,000
Acreage: 37,000
Death Toll: 22
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes
Anomalies Noted: Houses completely gone, white ash remaining, trees remaining, incinerated vehicles, winds up to 70mph.
STRONG organization: Yes
Urban Highlights: N/A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxFHMNtQ3zg
Redwood Valley Redwood Complex Fire affecting Potter Valley and Mendocino County
Start Date: 10/8/2017
Structures destroyed or damaged: 588
Acreage: 36,523
Deaths: 9
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Mendocino County Sustainable Practice”
Anomalies: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remaining, incinerated vehicles. See drone footage.
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Many wineries, known for fine red wines.
Chalet Village, Gatinburg TN
Date: 12/1/2016
Structures destroyed or damaged: 700
Acreage: 17,000 acres
Deaths: 7
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes “Forever Project”
Anomalies noted: Entire structures gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated vehicles, concrete walls remain with no soot, twisted metals, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Known for it’s chalets and cabins just outside Gatinburg, TN-a honeymooner’s paradise in the Great Smokey Mountains.
Drone footage: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1865585707099799
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Ventura, CA, Thomas Fire also affecting Santa Paula, Fillmore & Ojai Valley
Start Date: 12/5/17
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1,343
Acreage: 281,893 acres ( 440 sq. miles)
Deaths: 2
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, Ventura County Sustainability Division
Anomalies Noted: Houses completely gone, trees remaining, very strong winds, erratic burning pattern.
Strong organization: Yes, FB called Ventura County Strong
Urban Highlights: A strong economic base, with 2 Universities, 3 community colleges, thriving cultural scene along the Pacific Coastline.
Drone footage: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10156162310123010
Redding CA Carr Fire
Start Date: 7/29/2018
Structures Destroyed or damaged: 1,110
Acreage: 229,000
Deaths: 8
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes “Redding General Plan 2045”
Anomalies noted: Structures gone, white ash, trees standing, erratic burn patterns flames 200’ high
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Trails Capital of CA, I-5 corridor connection
Paradise, CA Camp fire including the communities of Pulga and Concow
Start Date: 11/8/2018
Structures destroyed or damaged: 18,000: 14,000 residential homes
Acreage: 153,335
Deaths: 85
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: has a “Municipal Plan.” Concow has “The Resilience Project.”
Anomalies noted: houses gone, white ash remaining with trees remaining. The fire moved at 80 football fields per minute. Winds were 32 mph with gusts up to 52 mph. Incinerated vehicles.
Strong organization: not found
Urban Highlights: Located in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, noted for its cooler summers, tall pines, and oak trees.
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Malibu, CA Woolsey fire
Start Date: 11/8/2018
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1600, including more than 400 single family homes.
Acreage: 96,949 acres
Death Toll: 3
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, the “Energy Action Plan”
Anomalies noted: Erratic burn patterns. Entire estates burned, white ash, trees remain, gusting winds up to 60 mph. incinerated vehicles.
Strong organization: Malibu Foundation est. 2 days after fire
Urban highlights: Known for it’s coastline celebrity homes in Southern CA
Drone footage: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=192724654972568
Geyserville, Healdsburg, Windsor, Santa Rosa CA Kinkade Fire
Start Date: 10/23/19
Structures destroyed or damaged: 387
Acreage: 77,758
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, all 4 communities
Anomalies Noted: Structures gone with only white ash, twisted metal, erratic burn patterns, incinerated cars, trees burning from inside out, winds up to 75mph.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Nestled among the famous wine country north of San Francisco
Drone footage: (copyright) https://www.alamy.com/video/aerial-shot-of-burnt-land-and-power-lines-from-kincade-wildfire-in-492626194.html
Peavine Mountain, Poeville Fire
Start Date: 6/26/2020
Structures destroyed or damaged: 58
Acreage: 3,010 acres
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, Washoe County has “Strategic Plan 2024”
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remaining, incinerated vehicles, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Mountain community north of Reno NV.
Boulder Creek CA CZU Complex Fire also effecting Bonny Doon and Swanton CA.
Start Date: 8/16/2020
Structures Destroyed or damaged: 1,490
Acreage: 175,019 acres
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Town and Village General Plans”
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated cars, erratic burn patterns, strong winds with gusts up to 74 mph.
Strong Organization: Yes, SCM Strong (Santa Cruz Mountains) FB, no start date mentioned.
Urban Highlights: Wooded community in the Santa Cruz mountains of the Bay area of California.
Detroit, Oregon Santiam Fire including towns of Gates, Idanha, Mill City and Lyons
Start Date: 8/16/2020
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1500
Deaths: 9
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Sustainability Action Agenda”
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, pine trees remaining, incinerated vehicles, high winds of 50-75mph.
Strong organization: Yes, Detroit Oregon Strong FB. Date of origination: Unknown.
Urban Highlights: Near Cascade Mountains and North Santiam River.
Drone footage, Detroit OR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0WdV713k-s
LNU Complex fire affecting hillsides just outside of the cities of Fairfield, Napa, and Vacaville California
Start Date: 8/17/2020
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1,723
Acreage: 363,220
Deaths: 6
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, Fairfield Ca- “The Climate Action Plan” Napa: “Sustainability Plan”
Vacaville: “Energy and Conservation Action Strategy”
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, trees remain, twisted metals, incinerated cars, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Napa and Vacaville have Fb Strong organizations. Fairfield not found.
Urban Highlights: Very popular wine country destinations north of San Francisco.
Gates, Oregon Beachycreek Fire
Start Date: 9/7/2020
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1500+
Acreage: 200,000 acres
Deaths: 5
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Gates Community Vision and Strategic Plan”
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees standing, incinerated vehicles, and a “historic windstorm.”
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Quiet town nestled in foothills of the Cascade Mountains
Phoenix/Talent OR Alameda Fire
Date; 9/8/2020
Structures Destroyed or damaged: 2300
Acreage: 3,000 acres
Deaths: 3
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes “Greenway Corridor Projects”
Anomalies: Structures gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated vehicles, winds 40-45mph
Strong organization: not found
Urban highlights: Next to I-5 corridor, working class families
Berry Creek & Feather Falls, & Oroville CA North Complex & Bear Fire
Start Date: 9/8/2020
Structures destroyed or damaged: 2,455
Deaths: 16
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes “General Plan 2030”
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, many incinerated vehicles, erratic burn patterns, wind gusts up to 46 mph.
Strong organization: not found
Urban highlights: Heavily forested quiet communities N. of Oroville
Berry Creek & Feather Falls, CA North Complex Fire
Start Date: 9/9/2020
Structures destroyed or damaged: 10,000+
Acreage: 4.1 Million acres (6,406 sq. miles)
Deaths: 16
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Butte County General Plan 2030”
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated vehicles, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Located near Oroville, CA, a quiet census-designated community near Lake Oroville.
Drone footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy1u4n_Sjrs
Walker, CA, including Topaz & Coleville communities Mountain View Fire
Start Date: 11/17/2020
Structures destroyed or damaged: 80
Acreage: 20,879
Deaths: 1
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Mono County Sustainability”
Anomalies Noted: Houses completely gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated vehicles.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Small communities, retired on fixed income in the Eastern Sierra’s.
Drone footage: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-20/mountain-view-fire-ravaged-walker-extinguished-by-rain
Greenville CA, affecting communities of Canyondam, Indian Falls, CA Dixie Fire
Start Date: 8/4/2021
Structures: 1,434
Acreage: 963,309 (500 sq. miles)
Deaths: 1
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Sustainable GVL Plan” in Greenville
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, winds up to 40 mph, the entire town was destroyed in 30 minutes.
Strong organization: Yes, Greenville Strong, FB group started 2 days after the fire.
Urban Highlights: Historic Mining town with charming shops with many historical buildings destroyed. Located in Sierra Mountains.
Grizzly Flats, CA Caldor fire
Start Date: 8/14/21
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1086
Acreage: 221,835
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: not found
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remaining, vehicles incinerated erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization; not found
Urban Highlights: Old gold mining town.
Drone footage: (Not for broadcast) https://www.google.com/search?q=grizzly+flats+ca+caldor+fire+drone+footage&oq=grizzly+flats%2C+ca+caldor+fire+drone&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBECEYoAEyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBCTE2MDA5ajBqNKgCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7dc9be6a,vid:MWcAnJ73MBM,st:0
Redding, CA Fawn Fire
Start Date; 9/22/21
Structures destroyed or damaged: 211
Acreage: 8,578
Deaths: 8
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes “Redding General Plan 2045”
Anomalies noted: Structures gone, white ash, trees standing, erratic burn patterns
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Trails Capital of CA, I-5 corridor connections
Grizzly Flats, CA Caldor Fire
Start Date: 10/21/21
Structures: 600
Acreage: 221,835
Deaths: 1 missing
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Not found (unincorporated community)
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash remaining, lots of tall pine trees with needles intact, incinerated vehicles, wind velocity 40 mph with erratic behavior.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: Unincorporated quiet forested community flanked by Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Boulder, Co. suburbs: Louisville and Superior- Marshall Fire
Start Date: 12/30/2021
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1084
Acreage: 6000 acres
Death Toll: 2 people, many domestic animals
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, for all 3
Anomalies noted: Houses completely gone, white ash remaining, trees remaining, incinerated vehicles, strong winds gusting from 60-100 mph, erratic pattern of destruction with some buildings remaining while others in close proximity completely gone.
STRONG organizations: Boulder Strong was formed following a mass shooting at a Boulder grocery store that killed 10 people on March 22, 2022. Superior has a facebook group called Superior Rising formed following the Marshall fire. Louisville Strong was formed following the Marshall fire.
Urban Highlights: Boulder is a very popular tourist destination, located at the base of the Rocky Mountains with many outdoor activities, theatre, arts and more.
Drone footage: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/colorado-wildfire-boulder-drone-video-b1986117.html
Klamath River, CA McKinney Fire
Start Date: 7/29/22
Structures destroyed or damaged: 185
Acreage: 56,000+ acres
Deaths: 4
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Not found
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated vehicles, twisted metal.
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: An unincorporated small community of 200 people along the Klamath River.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2022/aug/05/california-mckinney-fire-in-pictures
Weed, CA Mill Fire
Start Date: 9/2/2022
Structures destroyed or damaged: 144
Acreage: 4,000
Deaths: 2
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remaining, vehicles incinerated wind gusts 36 mph
Strong organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Historic lumber town, working class families
Woolridge, Missouri – fire devastation to small community
Date: 10/22/2022
Structures destroyed or damaged: 23
Acreage: 3,000 acres
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Not found
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated cars, twisted metals, erratic burn patterns
Strong organization: Not found
Urban highlights: A rural town of 100 in Missouri, the fire devastated 50% of the community.
Kula, Maui
Date: 8/8/23
Structures destroyed or damaged: Homes: 19
Acreage: 1.000
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Makawao-Pukalani-Kula Community Plan” along with ‘Maui County General Plan.’
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remaining, incinerated vehicles,erratic burn patterns, plastic garbage bins untouched, blue house, blue outdoor toilet & more.
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Located upcountry, on the slopes of Haleakala, is an agricultural are with farms and botanical gardens.
Lahaina, Maui
Date: 8/8/2023
Structures destroyed or damaged: 2200
Acreage: 2,170 acres
Deaths: 102
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “General Plan 2030” & “Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan”
Anomalies Noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees standing, incinerated cars, blue items and much more.
Strong Organization: Yes, Maui Strong and Lahaina Strong
Urban Highlights: Historic town on the West coast of Maui. Was the Capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 1800’s.
Sabine Parish, Louisiana
Start Date: 8/14/23
Structures destroyed or damaged: 18+
Acreage: 2100
Deaths: 2
Strategic future redevelopment Plan: “Louisiana Priority Climate Action Plan” by the EPA
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees standing, incinerated vehicle.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban highlights: History of diversified culture beginning in the early 1800’s.
Panhandle, TX Smokehouse Creek fire Communties affected: Fritch, Borger, Miami,, Sanford, Childress and Canadian. Many rural homes and ranches. To Note: This fire was the largest fire in Texas history.
Start Date: 2/26/24
Structures: 500+
Acreage: 1,058,482 acres, (1,587 sq. miles)
Deaths: (human) 2
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Amarillo Metropolitan Transportation Plan”
Anomalies noted: Structured incinerated, white ash, trees remain, erratic burn patterns, incinerated vehicles. To note the position of many of the thousands of livestock died, as if frozen suddenly, legs sticking straight out, hides intact, ears and tails intact.
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban highlights- N/A
Drone footage of town of Canadian TX as well as a video of livestock deaths.
Canadian, TX video : (not for broadcast) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDwaaMfQk6M
Stinett, TX: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2024/feb/29/drone-footage-stinnett-town-scorched-by-texas-wildfire-video
Video of loss of Cattle: (Note the position of cattle with legs frozen mid- air, hides intact, ears intact tails intact.) https://www.google.com/search?q=aerial+drone+views+of+livestock+lost+in+amarillo+tx+fires&oq=aerial+drone+views+of+livestock+lost+in+amarillo+tx+fires&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIKCAEQABiiBBiJBTIKCAIQABiABBiiBDIKCAMQABiABBiiBDIKCAQQABiiBBiJBTIKCAUQABiiBBiJBdIBCTI2MDg4ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:382e49d6,vid:8XuZ02I1z00,st:0
Ruidoso, New Mexico South Fork Fire
Start Date: 6/19/24
Acreage: 17,066 acres
Structures destroyed or damaged: 1,400
Deaths: 2
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Ruidoso Comprehensive Plans”
Anomalies: Structures completely gone, white ash, tree remain, incinerated vehicles. Winds 15-20mph
Strong Organization: Yes, Ruidoso Strong created on June 19, 2024.
Urban Highlights: Mountain Village in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico with many recreational activities.
Havilah, CA Borel Fire
Start Date: 7/24/2024
Structures destroyed or damaged: 252
Acreage: 59,288+ acres (95% contained)
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Heritage Network 2022-2024 Action Plan”
Anomalies: Structures completely gone, twisted metal, trees remaining, incinerated cars, erratic burn patterns. Strong wind gusts 30-40 mph.
Strong Organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Historic gold mining town in mountains of California.
Park Fire: Hill communities in CA affected: Dales, Station, Paynes Creek, Manton, Sky Ranch, Mineral & Cohasset.
Start Date: 7/24/24S
Structures destroyed of damaged: 600+
Acreage: 429,603 acres (4th largest wildfire in the history of California as of 10/7/24).
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plan: Chico: “2030 General Plan”
Anomalies noted: Structures gone, rubble in white ash with trees remaining surrounding residences, incinerated vehicles, twisted metals, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Sierra Nevada Mountains offer many outdoor activities. Chico is known for the University of CA, and also has one of the largest urban parks in the world- Bidwell Park.
Another video:
Clearlake CA Boyles Fire
Date: 9/8/24
Structures destroyed or damaged: 61
Acreage: 81 (as of 9/17/24. Fire is 75% contained.
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans: Yes, “Clearlake General Plan,” and “Clearlake Strategic Plan”
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, white ash, trees remain, incinerated vehicles, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: The community is next to a scenic 68 sq. miles natural lake- fish and wildlife plenty.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/boyles-fire-clearlake-drone/
Bridge Fire burning East of LA in San Bernardino County and Angeles Nat’l Forest
Start Date: 9/8/2024
Structures destroyed or damaged: 98
Acreage: 54,878 acres
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plan: San Bernardino General Plan 2050
Anomalies noted: Houses completely gone, white ash, trees remaining with foliage/needles intact, twisted metals, incinerated vehicles, erratic burn patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban Highlights: San Bernardino is rich in history and cultural diversity, and the mountains above are popular destination for hikers and skiers.
Video footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=in3Tvll8lSE
El Cariso, CA Airport fire scorched part of Riverside and Orange Counties
Start Date: 9/9/24
Structures destroyed or damaged: 194
Acreage: 23,500+
Deaths: 0
Strategic future redevelopment Plans:
Anomalies noted: Structures completely gone, houses made of concrete/brick standing with no soot, only white ash. Incinerated vehicles, trees remain, erratic burning patterns.
Strong organization: Not found
Urban highlights: Many rural families & unincorporated communities in San Bernardino Mountains of Southern CA living amongst the forests.
Note: From 2:46 to end of video: incinerated vehicles nest to trees, many trunks of trees have no black soot, foliage remains on trees. Twisted metals, white ash. At 4:33, cement walls of structure remain with no soot, yet incinerated vehicle next to structure.
Note: 1:06: Structures completely gone on barren hillside. At 1:40: Several residences gone, white ash remaining, trees remain.