The Rim fire has burned its way into the history books, becoming the fourth-largest wildfire in California history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Crews are continuing to make progress on the two-week-old wildfire that has scorched 222,777 acres in and around Yosemite National Park.
More than 5,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has so far cost $60 million in state and federal funds, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Trevor Augustino.
Six other fires are burning in California, down from about a dozen last week, with more than 8,000 firefighting personnel deployed across the state, said Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant. Recent weeks have seen an increase in fire activity, he said, because of dry conditions, gusty winds and dry lightning that sparked several hundred fires.
California's 10 largest wildfires:
- San Diego's 427-square-mile Cedar fire in October 2003, which destroyed more than 2,800 structures and killed 14, remains the largest wildfire in state history. The blaze began as a signal fire set by a West Covina man who was separated from his companion on a deer hunting trip, according to Times archives.
- The Rush fire in Lassen County, sparked by lightening, burned 424 square miles in California and 68 in Nevada in August 2012.
- A 375-acre fire in Santa Barbara County destroyed one structure in July 2007. The Zaca fire was ignited by sparks from grinding equipment being used to repair a water pipe near Los Olivos, according to Times archives.
- The two-week old Rim fire in Tuolumne County, at 348 square miles, is now the fourth-largest wildfire in California history. It is 40% contained and officials expect full containment by Sept. 20. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
- A September 1932 fire in Ventura County burned 343 square miles. The cause of the Matilija fire is undetermined.
- The Witch fire in San Diego burned 309 square miles in October 2007. The blaze, sparked by power lines, destroyed 1,650 structures and killed two.
- The June 2008 Klamath Theater Complex fire in Siskiyou County burned 300 square miles and killed two. The fire was started by lightning.
- In July 1977, lightning started the Marble Cone fire in Monterey County, burning 278 square miles.
- The Laguna fire, sparked by powerlines, in San Diego burned 274 square miles in September 1970. Five were killed and 382 structures were destroyed.
- The Monterey County Basin Complex fire burned 254 square miles in June 2008. The blaze was started by lightning and destroyed 58 structures.
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Twitter: @Sam_Schaefer
Samantha.Schaefer@latimes.com
