August 18, 2007
Zaca Fire Claims Spot In California Fire History
The Zaca Fire has now climbed to number 5 (171,750 Acres) in the top 10 largest wildland fire list in California history surpassing the Matilija Fire that burned in the same general area in 1932. By the end of the day the Zaca Fire should be number 3 surpassing both the Laguna Fire and Marble Cone Fire (1977).
Next up then would be the Cedar Fire.
Devastating wildfires are nothing new to Santa Barbara County or Ventura County. Matilija, Day, Wheeler, now Zaca and another less publicized 1917 Matilija Canyon Fire that claimed the lives of residents near Ohai have occurred in the counties.
Great Fires in California History
Year/Fire Name/Number of Acres Burned
Next up then would be the Cedar Fire.
Devastating wildfires are nothing new to Santa Barbara County or Ventura County. Matilija, Day, Wheeler, now Zaca and another less publicized 1917 Matilija Canyon Fire that claimed the lives of residents near Ohai have occurred in the counties.
Great Fires in California History
- Great Fire of 1889, 800,000 acres.
- Cedar Fire 280,00 acres (15 fatalities 1 firefighter, 2,200+ structures)
- Marble-Cone Fire 178,000
- Laguna Fire 175,000 acres
- Zaca Fire 171,000+ (ongoing)
- Matilija Canyon Fire 163,000 acres (est.)
- Day Fire 162,000 acres
- Wheeler Fire 91,000 acres
- Old Fire 91,000 acres
- Sawtooth Complex 61,000 acres
- Esperanza Fire 40,000 acres Memorial
Year/Fire Name/Number of Acres Burned
- 1848 Nestucca 290,000
- 1848 Siletz 800,000
- 1853 Yaquina 482,000
- 1863 Silverton 988,000
- 1868 Coos Bay 296,000
- 1933 Tillamook 240,000
- 1936 Bandon 143,000
- 1939 Saddle Mountain1 90,000
- 1945 Wilson River/Salmonberry 33,000
- 1951 North Fork/Elkhorn 33,000
- 1966 Oxbow 44,000
- 1987 Silver 97,000
Labels: 2007 fire season, Historic fires, Zaca Fire