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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Civic Brief • Wildfire

Camp Fire

The Camp Fire was a catastrophic wildfire that began in Butte County, California, on November 8, 2018.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Camp Fire was a catastrophic wildfire that began in Butte County, California, on November 8, 2018, becoming the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history.

What it is

The Camp Fire ignited on the morning of November 8, 2018, near Pulga and the Feather River Canyon. Driven by strong winds, it rapidly spread through communities including Concow, Magalia, Butte Creek Canyon, and Paradise. The fire burned 153,336 acres and destroyed more than 18,000 structures, with Paradise losing about 95% of its buildings.

Why it matters

The fire killed at least 85 people and injured many others, making it California's deadliest wildfire. It displaced tens of thousands of residents and caused widespread devastation. The disaster prompted scrutiny of utility maintenance and wildfire risk, leading to major legal and financial consequences for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

Key details

Investigators linked the fire to faulty PG&E transmission equipment. The blaze was contained on November 25, 2018, after more than two weeks. The Camp Fire remains a defining event in California wildfire history, highlighting the dangers of extreme fire behavior and the need for improved infrastructure safety.

In short

  • The Camp Fire started November 8, 2018, in Butte County, California.
  • It killed at least 85 people and destroyed over 18,000 structures.
  • The cause was faulty PG&E transmission equipment.
  • It is the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history.

Quick questions

When did the Camp Fire start?
It began on November 8, 2018, in Butte County, Northern California.
How deadly was the Camp Fire?
It caused at least 85 fatalities, making it the deadliest wildfire in California history.
What caused the Camp Fire?
Investigators linked it to faulty Pacific Gas and Electric Company transmission equipment.

Sources

  1. CAL FIRE — https://www.fire.ca.gov/our-impact/remembering-the-camp-fire
    Supports: Date, location, fatalities, acreage burned, structural loss, wind-driven spread, and containment details.
  2. California Office of Emergency Services — https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Preparedness/Documents/FINAL-AAR-2018-Camp-Fire-508-Clean-Copy-11.17.25.pdf
    Supports: Official after-action summary of casualties, acreage, structural destruction, and containment date.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/Camp-Fire-of-2018
    Supports: Overview, cause, fatalities, acreage, and historical significance.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Fire_(2018)
    Supports: Supplementary summary of spread, damage, and timeline.