Archive · 5 Aug 2025
US Wildfires: California Leads in Number and Burned Acres
Wildfires are a big problem in the US, especially during the hot, dry seasons.
California has the most, with thousands of fires and acres burned each year.
Other states like Texas and North Carolina also have lots of fires.
Wildfires can damage ecosystems, make people leave their homes, and cost a lot of money to fight.
They're happening more often now, not just in the summer, and in more places than before.
California consistently reports the highest number of wildfires annually.
In 2024, California recorded over 8,000 wildfires and burned almost 1.08 million acres.
Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and other states also reported thousands of wildfires in 2024.
Wildfires are becoming a year-round threat, expanding from the West Coast.
Wildfires have impacted ecosystems, displaced people, and strained firefighting budgets.
- Who
- Various states including California, Texas, and North Carolina.
- What
- Wildfires across the United States.
- When
- Annually, with data provided from 2020 to 2024.
- Where
- Primarily in California, but also in Texas, North Carolina, and other US states.
- Why
- Due to a combination of hot, dry weather, dense vegetation, and human activities.
- States with most wildfires
- California, Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma
- California wildfires 2024
- 8,316
- Acres burned in California 2024
- 1.08 million
- Wildfires in 2023
- 56,580
- Structures impacted in 2023
- 4,318
- Residences impacted in 2023
- 3,060