The National Interagency Fire Center reported that as of Sept. 21, 51,606 fires have burned 6,815,741 acres in the United States, above the 10-year average. Wildfires have become a cause of concern, particularly in the West, as climate change wreaks havoc on the environment.
To determine the states where wildfires caused the most damage, 24/7 Wall St. aggregated wildfire data from the most recent 10 years, 2012 to 2021, as compiled by the National Interagency Fire Center. States are ranked in order of total acreage burned by wildfires — forest fires that are not legal, controlled burns — over that period. Data on the percentage of acres burned by wildfires caused by humans or lightning also came from the NIFC. Data on total forest land came from the USDA’s 2020 Forest Inventory and Analysis, Fiscal Year 2020 Business Report, and reflects the most recent available state survey data.
It should come as little surprise that Western states are experiencing the worst impacts of wildfires. On Sept. 23, the NIFC reported that of the current 96 active fires, 40 are in Idaho, 27 in Montana, and 16 in Washington. Fires in Oregon, California, Oklahoma, and Wyoming consist of the rest. All these states are among the top 10 states on the list, where the most acres burned in the past 10 years, except for Wyoming, which ranks 14th. (These are the places most likely to have wildfires.)
In nine states, all in the West, lightning was responsible for more than 50% of the acres burned from 2012 to 2021. In Alaska, which has 15% of the total U.S. forest land, fires ignited by lighting were responsible for more than 96% of the acres burned. Humans are still the main culprits behind forest fires. In 20 states, they are the only cause of wildfires and of acres burned as a result.
Wildfires started by people typically occur where humans live, and these can be suppressed quickly. Lightning-caused fires, on the other hand, can strike remote wilderness areas and spread fast before firefighters can respond. Western states are among the geographically largest and least populated.
Climate change plays a role in this because these areas of the West have experienced extended periods of drought, making wildfires more dangerous than blazes ignited 10 years ago. (Also see, states with the deadliest fires.)
Lightning frequency also may be affected by climate change. David Romps, who studied atmospheric dynamics at the University of California, Berkeley, published a study in 2014 that used atmospheric factors to forecast changes in lightning frequency. The findings indicate lighting rates will rise 12% for every degree Celsius (about 2 degrees Fahrenheit) increase in global temperatures.
Click here to see how much of every state has burned in wildfires.
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
50. Rhode Island
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 597 acres burned, 542 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.2% of 370,000 forest acres — 10th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 178 acres burned — 5th fewest, 99 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%,; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
49. Delaware
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,379 acres burned, 435 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.4% of 361,000 forest acres — 14th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 0 acres burned
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): N/A
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Source: halbergman / iStock via Getty Images
48. Vermont
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,977 acres burned, 840 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.0% of 4,511,000 forest acres — 2nd smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 157 acres burned — 4th fewest, 90 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 97.5%; lightning: 2.5%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
47. New Hampshire
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 2,298 acres burned, 1,450 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.0% of 4,758,000 forest acres — 3rd smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 96 acres burned — 2nd fewest, 280 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
46. Connecticut
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 2,526 acres burned, 1,511 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.1% of 1,808,000 forest acres — 8th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 127 acres burned — 3rd fewest, 60 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
45. Illinois
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 4,287 acres burned, 316 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.1% of 4,980,000 forest acres — 5th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 219 acres burned — 6th fewest, 29 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
44. Maine
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 5,508 acres burned, 5,608 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.0% of 17,579,000 forest acres — the smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 377 acres burned — 7th fewest, 636 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 96.6%; lightning: 3.4%
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
43. Indiana
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 6,756 acres burned, 316 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.1% of 4,876,000 forest acres — 7th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 836 acres burned — 9th fewest, 34 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
Source: Nicholas Smith / iStock via Getty Images
42. Ohio
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 8,824 acres burned, 2,688 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.1% of 8,077,000 forest acres — 6th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 1,415 acres burned — 11th fewest, 524 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
41. Massachusetts
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 9,822 acres burned, 10,400 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.3% of 3,025,000 forest acres — 13th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 1,439 acres burned — 12th fewest, 588 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
40. Maryland
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 10,269 acres burned, 1,128 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.4% of 2,463,000 forest acres — 15th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 1,162 acres burned — 10th fewest, 112 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images
39. New York
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 14,795 acres burned, 1,356 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.1% of 18,887,000 forest acres — 4th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 550 acres burned — 8th fewest, 137 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 98.9%; lightning: 1.1%
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
38. Wisconsin
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 26,490 acres burned, 8,578 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.2% of 17,074,000 forest acres — 9th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 2,159 acres burned — 13th fewest, 1,040 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 98.8%; lightning: 1.2%
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
37. Pennsylvania
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 38,028 acres burned, 9,099 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.2% of 16,898,000 forest acres — 11th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 2,892 acres burned — 14th fewest, 1,350 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
36. Michigan
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 53,575 acres burned, 4,302 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.3% of 20,311,000 forest acres — 12th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 9,289 acres burned — 21st fewest, 435 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 94.1%; lightning: 5.9%
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
35. New Jersey
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 58,463 acres burned, 10,080 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 2.9% of 1,990,000 forest acres — 22nd largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 6,652 acres burned — 16th fewest, 906 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
34. West Virginia
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 60,817 acres burned, 5,304 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.5% of 12,077,000 forest acres — 16th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 7,504 acres burned — 19th fewest, 752 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
33. South Carolina
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 69,210 acres burned, 10,783 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.5% of 12,931,000 forest acres — 17th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 7,337 acres burned — 18th fewest, 630 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 97.0%; lightning: 3.0%
Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ via Getty Images
32. Iowa
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 90,084 acres burned, 3,300 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 3.1% of 2,923,000 forest acres — 21st largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 7,950 acres burned — 20th fewest, 187 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
31. Hawaii
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 97,770 acres burned, 249 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 6.6% of 1,471,000 forest acres — 19th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 40,000 acres burned — 21st most, 01 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
30. Louisiana
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 124,483 acres burned, 7,659 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.8% of 14,984,000 forest acres — 18th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 10,303 acres burned — 22nd fewest, 507 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. Virginia
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 159,713 acres burned, 7,141 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 1.0% of 16,043,000 forest acres — 20th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 6,696 acres burned — 17th fewest, 567 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 97.3%; lightning: 2.7%
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
28. Mississippi
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 163,452 acres burned, 9,053 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 0.8% of 19,380,000 forest acres — 19th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 21,037 acres burned — 25th fewest, 922 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 99.5%; lightning: 0.5%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
27. Missouri
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 173,527 acres burned, 12,817 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 1.1% of 15,409,000 forest acres — 21st smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 40,262 acres burned — 20th most, 1,531 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
26. North Dakota
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 186,174 acres burned, 7,662 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 23.6% of 789,000 forest acres — 10th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 49,347 acres burned — 17th most, 946 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 97.1%; lightning: 2.9%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
25. Arkansas
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 231,515 acres burned, 12,440 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 1.2% of 19,040,000 forest acres — 22nd smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 17,003 acres burned — 24th fewest, 378 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 79.9%; lightning: 20.1%
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Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
24. Minnesota
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 240,650 acres burned, 14,605 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 1.4% of 17,413,000 forest acres — 24th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 69,405 acres burned — 14th most, 2,065 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 57.2%; lightning: 42.8%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
23. Kentucky
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 276,618 acres burned, 9,053 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 2.2% of 12,442,000 forest acres — 23rd largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 22,859 acres burned — 24th most, 723 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
22. North Carolina
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 296,893 acres burned, 39,574 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 1.6% of 18,829,000 forest acres — 25th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 25,838 acres burned — 23rd most, 5,151 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 99.0%; lightning: 1.0%
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
21. Alabama
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 297,253 acres burned, 17,236 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 1.3% of 23,127,000 forest acres — 23rd smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 22,055 acres burned — 25th most, 1,040 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
20. Tennessee
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 301,106 acres burned, 7,686 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 2.2% of 13,967,000 forest acres — 24th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 4,937 acres burned — 15th fewest, 550 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
19. Georgia
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 351,959 acres burned, 30,749 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 1.4% of 24,635,000 forest acres — 25th smallest share
> 2021 wildfires: 11,108 acres burned — 23rd fewest, 2,139 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
Source: Matt Bills / iStock via Getty Images
18. Nebraska
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 394,087 acres burned, 1,218 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 25.7% of 1,532,000 forest acres — 7th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 27,294 acres burned — 22nd most, 785 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 88.6%; lightning: 11.4%
Source: YangYin / iStock via Getty Images
17. South Dakota
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 594,684 acres burned, 10,758 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 30.5% of 1,949,000 forest acres — 5th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 43,620 acres burned — 19th most, 868 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 94.5%; lightning: 5.5%
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
16. Florida
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,089,014 acres burned, 22,546 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 6.3% of 17,253,000 forest acres — 20th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 105,475 acres burned — 13th most, 2,262 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 83.1%; lightning: 16.9%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
15. Kansas
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,251,040 acres burned, 652 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 49.5% of 2,527,000 forest acres — 2nd largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 163,982 acres burned — 9th most, 55 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 97.2%; lightning: 2.8%
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Source: Brian Evans / iStock via Getty Images
14. Wyoming
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,467,191 acres burned, 5,996 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 15.0% of 9,751,000 forest acres — 13th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 53,496 acres burned — 16th most, 540 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 35.1%; lightning: 64.9%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
13. New Mexico
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,711,616 acres burned, 9,453 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 10.3% of 16,619,000 forest acres — 15th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 123,792 acres burned — 10th most, 672 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 10.1%; lightning: 89.9%
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
12. Utah
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,796,893 acres burned, 11,955 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 14.9% of 12,087,000 forest acres — 14th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 60,863 acres burned — 15th most, 1,085 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 38.3%; lightning: 61.7%
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11. Colorado
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 1,920,050 acres burned, 10,652 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 9.6% of 20,063,000 forest acres — 16th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 48,195 acres burned — 18th most, 1,017 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 43.9%; lightning: 56.1%
Source: Barbara Smyers / iStock via Getty Images
10. Texas
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 2,807,651 acres burned, 78,488 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 6.9% of 40,970,000 forest acres — 18th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 168,258 acres burned — 8th most, 5,576 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 85.9%; lightning: 14.1%
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
9. Oklahoma
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 2,814,713 acres burned, 14,144 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 23.6% of 11,911,000 forest acres — 9th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 113,235 acres burned — 12th most, 1,727 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 100.0%; lightning: 0.0%
Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
8. Arizona
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 3,477,825 acres burned, 19,420 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 31.8% of 10,934,000 forest acres — 4th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 524,428 acres burned — 5th most, 1,773 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 64.3%; lightning: 35.7%
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
7. Nevada
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 3,939,159 acres burned, 6,570 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 52.6% of 7,487,000 forest acres — the largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 123,427 acres burned — 11th most, 565 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 24.3%; lightning: 75.7%
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Source: robh / E+ via Getty Images
6. Montana
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 4,495,298 acres burned, 20,284 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 17.6% of 25,517,000 forest acres — 12th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 747,678 acres burned — 3rd most, 2,573 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 24.1%; lightning: 75.9%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Washington
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 4,759,873 acres burned, 15,626 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 21.5% of 22,174,000 forest acres — 11th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 674,222 acres burned — 4th most, 1,863 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 27.9%; lightning: 72.1%
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Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
4. Idaho
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 6,073,752 acres burned, 11,720 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 28.4% of 21,386,000 forest acres — 6th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 439,600 acres burned — 6th most, 1,332 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 7.3%; lightning: 92.7%
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
3. Oregon
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 7,158,686 acres burned, 21,509 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 24.1% of 29,653,000 forest acres — 8th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 828,777 acres burned — 2nd most, 2,202 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 21.4%; lightning: 78.6%
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
2. Alaska
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 11,441,586 acres burned, 4,927 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 8.9% of 128,577,000 forest acres — 17th largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 253,357 acres burned — 7th most, 384 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 3.9%; lightning: 96.1%
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Source: bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images
1. California
> 2012-2021 wildfires: 13,130,837 acres burned, 87,335 wildfires
> 2012-2021 wildfires as pct. of forest land: 41.7% of 31,515,000 forest acres — 3rd largest share
> 2021 wildfires: 2,233,666 acres burned — the most, 9,280 wildfires
> 2021 wildfires causes (by acres burned): human: 47.7%; lightning: 52.3%
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