World,SocietyJUL 30, 2025

25 Wildfires That Went Down In History As Truly Catastrophic And Devastating

Viktorija Strelciunaite, Adelaide May Ross, Emily Nyoni and Rugilė Baltrunaitė

Fire is an essential part of most people’s everyday lives. We use it to cook dinner on the stove, make our homes cozier, keep ourselves warm during the winter time and light up the candles on a cake to ensure that our birthday wishes always come true. But no matter how used to fire we become, we must always remember that it does pose serious risks.

Bored Panda has compiled a list down below of heartbreaking photos of catastrophic wildfires. From flames that ripped through forests to homes that became engulfed in minutes, these images certainly aren’t easy to look at. But they’re reminders of just how devastating wildfires can be, so remember Smokey Bear’s wise words: “Only you can prevent wildfires.”

#21 The 2020 Western United States Wildfire Season

Wildfire burning intensely at night with large orange flames and thick smoke in a forested area, showing catastrophic wildfire impact.

During the 2020 wildfire season, wildfires swept through the western United States. Fueled by dry, hot conditions and strong winds, many of the fires merged into megafires, destroying over 4.1 million hectares of land and 13,000 structures. The fires also caused over 47 direct and 1,200 to 3,000 indirect fatalities from smoke inhalation. In total, the fires resulted in over $19.8 billion in damages, including $16.5 billion in property damage and $3.4 billion in firefighting costs.

Inklein, wikipedia

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We know it may be extremely tempting to use fireworks on the Fourth of July, but it’s crucial to check conditions and regulations before lighting anything up. And if you plan on burning debris, make sure to do so when it’s not restricted or windy. Fire is a wonderful tool, but it can become a nightmare when it’s not used responsibly.

#22 The 2018 Greece Wildfires

Aerial view of a historic cityscape with ancient ruins and dense urban buildings under clear skies.

In 2018, during the European heatwave, a series of wildfires affected Greece, particularly in the coastal areas of Mati and Rafina. At the time, the fires were the second most catastrophic wildfire of the 21st century, with at least 102 casualties. Tragically, the fires also resulted in the loss of over 2,000 homes as well as significant damage to the environment.

A.Savin, Wikipedia (not the actual photo), wikipedia

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#23 The 2010 Russian Wildfires

Smoky forest scene with fallen burnt trees and damaged foliage after one of the most catastrophic wildfires in recent history.

In 2010, during the country’s hottest summer in history, hundreds of wildfires spread across the western areas of Russia. Lasting almost two months, the fires resulted in around $15 billion ($22 billion in 2025) in damage and caused a state of emergency in at least seven regions.

Evgen2, wikipedia

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#24 The 1871 Peshtigo Fire

Charred wooden beams showing severe damage from one of the most catastrophic wildfires in recent history.

On October 8, 1871, the Peshtigo fire swept through northeastern Wisconsin in the United States. It burned roughly 490,000 hectares and remains one of the most destructive wildfires in history. While the exact number of fatalities is unknown, data collected from mass graves suggests that between 1,500 and 2,500 people lost their lives. The fire also resulted in damage worth $5 million or around $125 billion in 2025.

Royalbroil, wikipedia

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We understand that this isn’t the most uplifting list, pandas, but we hope that it’s a good reminder to practice fire safety. Keep upvoting the images that break your heart, and let us know in the comments below if you have any personal experience with wildfires. Then, if you’d like to check out a Bored Panda list featuring wholesome moments that have come out of devastating fires, look no further than right here.

#25 The 2021 California Wildfire Season

Large plume of smoke rising from catastrophic wildfires in a rural area with dry fields and distant hills under clear sky

In 2021, California experienced unprecedented fire conditions with 7,396 wildfires burning through over 809,400 hectares of land across the state. The ongoing drought, low rainfall, and reservoir levels in the state exacerbated the fires, which destroyed around 3,629 structures. In addition, three firefighters tragically lost their lives during the wildfire season.

Frank Schulenburg, wikipedia

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Poll Question

After reading about these wildfires, what is your attitude towards fire safety?

Viktorija StrelciunaiteBoredPanda Staff

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