GITNUXREPORT 2026

Camp Fire Statistics

The Camp Fire became California's deadliest wildfire, destroying Paradise with rapid, devastating force.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

PG&E was found liable by CPUC for failure to maintain 17 Golden State Power Cooperative poles.

Statistic 2

The fire was fully contained on November 21, 2018, after 14 days of active burning.

Statistic 3

Butte County spent $775 million on debris removal from 13,000+ properties by 2020.

Statistic 4

Paradise rebuilding permits issued for 1,200 structures by end of 2022, only 20% of pre-fire total.

Statistic 5

Federal disaster aid disbursed $2.6 billion to 23,000 households affected by the fire.

Statistic 6

NIST investigation identified embers traveling 12 miles as a key spread mechanism.

Statistic 7

PG&E agreed to $13.5 billion settlement with victims in June 2020.

Statistic 8

95% of Paradise's tree canopy was lost, leading to enhanced erosion control projects.

Statistic 9

California enacted AB 1054 for microgrids and improved alert systems post-Camp Fire.

Statistic 10

Replanting efforts restored 1,500 acres of forest by 2023 through CDFA programs.

Statistic 11

CPUC fined PG&E $2.45 billion for Camp Fire negligence in 2021.

Statistic 12

11,800 parcels underwent hazardous tree removal at $27,000 per property average.

Statistic 13

Paradise adopted "fire-resistant" building codes, reducing rebuild insurance by 15%.

Statistic 14

$1 billion in grants funded 500 new defensible space projects.

Statistic 15

Groundwater contamination from ash affected 20 wells, treated at $5 million cost.

Statistic 16

2,000 lawsuits settled for average $400,000 per plaintiff by 2022.

Statistic 17

Wildfire debris removal completed on 99% of eligible properties by March 2020.

Statistic 18

New Paradise Reservoir designed with $150 million to mitigate future flood risks.

Statistic 19

Community-led "Rebuild Paradise" initiative housed 300 families by 2023.

Statistic 20

The Camp Fire resulted in 85 civilian fatalities, the deadliest wildfire in California history.

Statistic 21

14,000 residents of Paradise were exposed to smoke containing PM2.5 levels exceeding 500 µg/m³ for over 24 hours.

Statistic 22

12 firefighters suffered injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to burns during initial suppression efforts.

Statistic 23

Post-fire health studies reported 2,135 cases of respiratory distress in Butte County within 6 months.

Statistic 24

8 elderly victims over 80 years old perished due to mobility issues during evacuation.

Statistic 25

Mental health impacts included 40% increase in PTSD diagnoses among 5,000 surveyed survivors.

Statistic 26

4 missing persons were later confirmed deceased, bringing total deaths to 85.

Statistic 27

Burn victims numbered 11 civilians requiring hospitalization for second and third-degree burns.

Statistic 28

50,000 individuals reported acute stress reactions immediately post-evacuation.

Statistic 29

Long-term cancer risk from carcinogens in Camp Fire smoke estimated at 1 in 1,000 for exposed populations.

Statistic 30

17% of Butte County's population experienced direct fire exposure.

Statistic 31

1,500 hospital visits for asthma exacerbations linked to Camp Fire smoke in November 2018.

Statistic 32

Vulnerable populations (over 65) comprised 62 of the 85 fatalities.

Statistic 33

28 victims died in vehicles attempting to flee the fire.

Statistic 34

Post-traumatic stress affected 70% of 1,200 firefighters responding to the incident.

Statistic 35

3,400 tons of toxic ash contaminated local water supplies post-fire.

Statistic 36

45% of survivors reported chronic anxiety 18 months after the fire.

Statistic 37

Cardiovascular events increased 25% in exposed areas per air quality monitors.

Statistic 38

6,500 livestock perished in Butte County due to fire and smoke.

Statistic 39

Approximately 52,000 people were under evacuation orders by 8:00 a.m. on November 8.

Statistic 40

Paradise Police Department issued reverse 911 calls to 38,000 phones, but many failed due to network overload.

Statistic 41

Cal Fire deployed 5,645 firefighting personnel, 619 engines, and 87 helicopters to combat the blaze.

Statistic 42

Evacuation traffic jams on Skyway Road trapped hundreds, contributing to 7 fatalities in vehicles.

Statistic 43

Butte County Sheriff's Office conducted door-to-door notifications for 2,000 homes before power outages.

Statistic 44

National Guard mobilized 1,400 personnel and 200 vehicles for search and rescue operations.

Statistic 45

911 calls surged to 1,200 per hour during peak evacuation, overwhelming dispatch centers.

Statistic 46

CodeRED emergency alerts reached only 50% of Paradise residents due to outdated phone data.

Statistic 47

Over 4,000 first responders from 17 states assisted in containment efforts by November 15.

Statistic 48

Temporary shelters housed 3,500 evacuees in the first 48 hours at local churches and schools.

Statistic 49

Evacuation routes clogged with 20,000 vehicles on a 4-mile stretch of highway.

Statistic 50

CHP issued RUSH HOUR evacuation orders at 7:14 a.m., too late for many.

Statistic 51

22 search and rescue teams scanned 1,200 structures daily for 3 weeks.

Statistic 52

Amateur radio operators relayed 500 critical messages when cell networks failed.

Statistic 53

FEMA deployed Disaster Recovery Centers serving 10,000 visitors in first month.

Statistic 54

Power outages affected 150,000 customers, delaying alerts.

Statistic 55

87 water tankers delivered 2 million gallons daily for firefighting.

Statistic 56

Blue Alert system tested post-fire reached 80% compliance in drills.

Statistic 57

Mutual aid from 45 agencies provided 1,100 apparatus to the response.

Statistic 58

The Camp Fire ignited on November 8, 2018, at approximately 6:15 a.m. near Poe Dam in Butte County, California, due to contact between a PG&E transmission line and a tree branch.

Statistic 59

The fire spread at an initial rate of 80 football fields per minute in Paradise, driven by 50 mph winds.

Statistic 60

By 7:30 a.m. on November 8, the Camp Fire had grown to 2,000 acres within 45 minutes of ignition.

Statistic 61

Hurricane-force winds gusting up to 85 mph fueled the Camp Fire's rapid uphill run through canyons toward Paradise.

Statistic 62

The fire front reached speeds of 3.9 miles per hour during its initial assault on Paradise.

Statistic 63

Diablo winds with sustained speeds of 30-50 mph and gusts to 66 mph were recorded at the Concow weather station during ignition.

Statistic 64

The Camp Fire consumed 153,336 acres, equivalent to 239 square miles, making it one of California's largest fires.

Statistic 65

Flame lengths during the Camp Fire reached up to 30 feet in heavily vegetated areas.

Statistic 66

The fire's perimeter grew to 250 miles by November 10, 2018.

Statistic 67

Spot fires from the Camp Fire were observed up to 5 miles ahead of the main fire front.

Statistic 68

The Camp Fire's ignition was pinpointed to Hookers Point area at 6:33 a.m. by PG&E records.

Statistic 69

Fire weather conditions included relative humidity dropping to 16% on ignition day.

Statistic 70

The blaze generated pyrocumulus clouds reaching 25,000 feet, aiding spotting.

Statistic 71

Over 300 miles of fireline were constructed by hand and dozer during suppression.

Statistic 72

Fuel moisture in grass was critically low at 4% during the fire's early spread phase.

Statistic 73

The fire crossed the Feather River within 30 minutes of ignition due to wind-driven embers.

Statistic 74

Satellite imagery showed 23,000 acres blackened by 10 a.m. on November 8.

Statistic 75

Wind shifts on November 9 slowed spread temporarily, allowing 10% containment.

Statistic 76

Total fire retardant dropped amounted to 1.2 million gallons over the incident.

Statistic 77

The Camp Fire destroyed 18,804 structures, including 13,972 single-family residences.

Statistic 78

Total economic loss estimated at $16.5 billion, surpassing any prior California wildfire.

Statistic 79

In Paradise, 13,636 residential structures were completely destroyed, 86% of the town's buildings.

Statistic 80

285 commercial buildings in Paradise were obliterated, including 47 multiple-family residences.

Statistic 81

Magalia saw 3,510 homes destroyed, representing 95% of its housing stock.

Statistic 82

PG&E faced $30 billion in liabilities, leading to bankruptcy filing in January 2019.

Statistic 83

Insurance claims totaled $11.8 billion from 23,000 policyholders affected by the fire.

Statistic 84

1,276 vehicles were incinerated in driveways and on roads during the firestorm.

Statistic 85

Agricultural losses included 534 acres of timberland and 1,200 acres of rangeland.

Statistic 86

Paradise's economic base lost 80% of its businesses, with 534 commercial structures damaged.

Statistic 87

Paradise lost 95% of its housing units, displacing 27,000 residents.

Statistic 88

$3.2 billion in uninsured losses borne by Paradise homeowners.

Statistic 89

4,500 rental units destroyed, exacerbating housing crisis.

Statistic 90

Industrial damage included 18 manufacturing facilities totaling $150 million.

Statistic 91

Feather Falls Casino lost $50 million in structures and revenue.

Statistic 92

150 miles of power lines were destroyed or damaged by the fire.

Statistic 93

Tourism revenue in Butte County dropped 60% in 2019 post-fire.

Statistic 94

Cleanup costs for PG&E alone reached $1.1 billion for pole replacements.

Statistic 95

95 schools in affected areas closed for 2 weeks, impacting 15,000 students.

1/95

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Imagine a wildfire so ferocious it devoured eighty football fields worth of land every single minute as it engulfed a town; the Camp Fire of 2018 was not just a disaster, but a horrifying new benchmark for the destructive power of modern wildfires.

Key Takeaways

The Camp Fire ignited on November 8, 2018, at approximately 6:15 a.m. near Poe Dam in Butte County, California, due to contact between a PG&E transmission line and a tree branch.
The fire spread at an initial rate of 80 football fields per minute in Paradise, driven by 50 mph winds.
By 7:30 a.m. on November 8, the Camp Fire had grown to 2,000 acres within 45 minutes of ignition.
The Camp Fire resulted in 85 civilian fatalities, the deadliest wildfire in California history.
14,000 residents of Paradise were exposed to smoke containing PM2.5 levels exceeding 500 µg/m³ for over 24 hours.
12 firefighters suffered injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to burns during initial suppression efforts.
The Camp Fire destroyed 18,804 structures, including 13,972 single-family residences.
Total economic loss estimated at $16.5 billion, surpassing any prior California wildfire.
In Paradise, 13,636 residential structures were completely destroyed, 86% of the town's buildings.
Approximately 52,000 people were under evacuation orders by 8:00 a.m. on November 8.
Paradise Police Department issued reverse 911 calls to 38,000 phones, but many failed due to network overload.
Cal Fire deployed 5,645 firefighting personnel, 619 engines, and 87 helicopters to combat the blaze.
PG&E was found liable by CPUC for failure to maintain 17 Golden State Power Cooperative poles.
The fire was fully contained on November 21, 2018, after 14 days of active burning.
Butte County spent $775 million on debris removal from 13,000+ properties by 2020.

The Camp Fire became California's deadliest wildfire, destroying Paradise with rapid, devastating force.

Aftermath, Investigations, and Recovery

PG&E was found liable by CPUC for failure to maintain 17 Golden State Power Cooperative poles.
The fire was fully contained on November 21, 2018, after 14 days of active burning.
Butte County spent $775 million on debris removal from 13,000+ properties by 2020.
Paradise rebuilding permits issued for 1,200 structures by end of 2022, only 20% of pre-fire total.
Federal disaster aid disbursed $2.6 billion to 23,000 households affected by the fire.
NIST investigation identified embers traveling 12 miles as a key spread mechanism.
PG&E agreed to $13.5 billion settlement with victims in June 2020.
95% of Paradise's tree canopy was lost, leading to enhanced erosion control projects.
California enacted AB 1054 for microgrids and improved alert systems post-Camp Fire.
Replanting efforts restored 1,500 acres of forest by 2023 through CDFA programs.
CPUC fined PG&E $2.45 billion for Camp Fire negligence in 2021.
11,800 parcels underwent hazardous tree removal at $27,000 per property average.
Paradise adopted "fire-resistant" building codes, reducing rebuild insurance by 15%.
$1 billion in grants funded 500 new defensible space projects.
Groundwater contamination from ash affected 20 wells, treated at $5 million cost.
2,000 lawsuits settled for average $400,000 per plaintiff by 2022.
Wildfire debris removal completed on 99% of eligible properties by March 2020.
New Paradise Reservoir designed with $150 million to mitigate future flood risks.
Community-led "Rebuild Paradise" initiative housed 300 families by 2023.

Aftermath, Investigations, and Recovery Interpretation

A utility's neglected infrastructure sparked a fire that, in a devastatingly short time, burned a profound and expensive scar into a community, which through immense collective effort and staggering financial penalties is slowly yet determinedly regrowing, albeit forever altered.

Casualties and Health Impacts

The Camp Fire resulted in 85 civilian fatalities, the deadliest wildfire in California history.
14,000 residents of Paradise were exposed to smoke containing PM2.5 levels exceeding 500 µg/m³ for over 24 hours.
12 firefighters suffered injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to burns during initial suppression efforts.
Post-fire health studies reported 2,135 cases of respiratory distress in Butte County within 6 months.
8 elderly victims over 80 years old perished due to mobility issues during evacuation.
Mental health impacts included 40% increase in PTSD diagnoses among 5,000 surveyed survivors.
4 missing persons were later confirmed deceased, bringing total deaths to 85.
Burn victims numbered 11 civilians requiring hospitalization for second and third-degree burns.
50,000 individuals reported acute stress reactions immediately post-evacuation.
Long-term cancer risk from carcinogens in Camp Fire smoke estimated at 1 in 1,000 for exposed populations.
17% of Butte County's population experienced direct fire exposure.
1,500 hospital visits for asthma exacerbations linked to Camp Fire smoke in November 2018.
Vulnerable populations (over 65) comprised 62 of the 85 fatalities.
28 victims died in vehicles attempting to flee the fire.
Post-traumatic stress affected 70% of 1,200 firefighters responding to the incident.
3,400 tons of toxic ash contaminated local water supplies post-fire.
45% of survivors reported chronic anxiety 18 months after the fire.
Cardiovascular events increased 25% in exposed areas per air quality monitors.
6,500 livestock perished in Butte County due to fire and smoke.

Casualties and Health Impacts Interpretation

The Camp Fire's grim legacy is measured not only in 85 tragic deaths but in thousands of compromised lungs, traumatized minds, and a lingering shadow of risk that rewrote the definition of disaster for an entire community.

Emergency Response and Evacuation

Approximately 52,000 people were under evacuation orders by 8:00 a.m. on November 8.
Paradise Police Department issued reverse 911 calls to 38,000 phones, but many failed due to network overload.
Cal Fire deployed 5,645 firefighting personnel, 619 engines, and 87 helicopters to combat the blaze.
Evacuation traffic jams on Skyway Road trapped hundreds, contributing to 7 fatalities in vehicles.
Butte County Sheriff's Office conducted door-to-door notifications for 2,000 homes before power outages.
National Guard mobilized 1,400 personnel and 200 vehicles for search and rescue operations.
911 calls surged to 1,200 per hour during peak evacuation, overwhelming dispatch centers.
CodeRED emergency alerts reached only 50% of Paradise residents due to outdated phone data.
Over 4,000 first responders from 17 states assisted in containment efforts by November 15.
Temporary shelters housed 3,500 evacuees in the first 48 hours at local churches and schools.
Evacuation routes clogged with 20,000 vehicles on a 4-mile stretch of highway.
CHP issued RUSH HOUR evacuation orders at 7:14 a.m., too late for many.
22 search and rescue teams scanned 1,200 structures daily for 3 weeks.
Amateur radio operators relayed 500 critical messages when cell networks failed.
FEMA deployed Disaster Recovery Centers serving 10,000 visitors in first month.
Power outages affected 150,000 customers, delaying alerts.
87 water tankers delivered 2 million gallons daily for firefighting.
Blue Alert system tested post-fire reached 80% compliance in drills.
Mutual aid from 45 agencies provided 1,100 apparatus to the response.

Emergency Response and Evacuation Interpretation

Despite a monumental and courageous response, the Camp Fire exposed a brutal truth: our emergency systems were tragically outmatched by a disaster that moved at the speed of a thought, leaving good plans in the smoke and good people trapped by gridlock, overloaded networks, and fateful delays.

Fire Ignition and Spread

The Camp Fire ignited on November 8, 2018, at approximately 6:15 a.m. near Poe Dam in Butte County, California, due to contact between a PG&E transmission line and a tree branch.
The fire spread at an initial rate of 80 football fields per minute in Paradise, driven by 50 mph winds.
By 7:30 a.m. on November 8, the Camp Fire had grown to 2,000 acres within 45 minutes of ignition.
Hurricane-force winds gusting up to 85 mph fueled the Camp Fire's rapid uphill run through canyons toward Paradise.
The fire front reached speeds of 3.9 miles per hour during its initial assault on Paradise.
Diablo winds with sustained speeds of 30-50 mph and gusts to 66 mph were recorded at the Concow weather station during ignition.
The Camp Fire consumed 153,336 acres, equivalent to 239 square miles, making it one of California's largest fires.
Flame lengths during the Camp Fire reached up to 30 feet in heavily vegetated areas.
The fire's perimeter grew to 250 miles by November 10, 2018.
Spot fires from the Camp Fire were observed up to 5 miles ahead of the main fire front.
The Camp Fire's ignition was pinpointed to Hookers Point area at 6:33 a.m. by PG&E records.
Fire weather conditions included relative humidity dropping to 16% on ignition day.
The blaze generated pyrocumulus clouds reaching 25,000 feet, aiding spotting.
Over 300 miles of fireline were constructed by hand and dozer during suppression.
Fuel moisture in grass was critically low at 4% during the fire's early spread phase.
The fire crossed the Feather River within 30 minutes of ignition due to wind-driven embers.
Satellite imagery showed 23,000 acres blackened by 10 a.m. on November 8.
Wind shifts on November 9 slowed spread temporarily, allowing 10% containment.
Total fire retardant dropped amounted to 1.2 million gallons over the incident.

Fire Ignition and Spread Interpretation

In the span of a single brutal morning, a spark borne of corporate neglect met a landscape primed for the apocalypse, unleashing a firestorm that chewed through Paradise at 80 football fields a minute, proving that nature’s fury is terrifying, but human failure makes it catastrophic.

Property and Economic Damage

The Camp Fire destroyed 18,804 structures, including 13,972 single-family residences.
Total economic loss estimated at $16.5 billion, surpassing any prior California wildfire.
In Paradise, 13,636 residential structures were completely destroyed, 86% of the town's buildings.
285 commercial buildings in Paradise were obliterated, including 47 multiple-family residences.
Magalia saw 3,510 homes destroyed, representing 95% of its housing stock.
PG&E faced $30 billion in liabilities, leading to bankruptcy filing in January 2019.
Insurance claims totaled $11.8 billion from 23,000 policyholders affected by the fire.
1,276 vehicles were incinerated in driveways and on roads during the firestorm.
Agricultural losses included 534 acres of timberland and 1,200 acres of rangeland.
Paradise's economic base lost 80% of its businesses, with 534 commercial structures damaged.
Paradise lost 95% of its housing units, displacing 27,000 residents.
$3.2 billion in uninsured losses borne by Paradise homeowners.
4,500 rental units destroyed, exacerbating housing crisis.
Industrial damage included 18 manufacturing facilities totaling $150 million.
Feather Falls Casino lost $50 million in structures and revenue.
150 miles of power lines were destroyed or damaged by the fire.
Tourism revenue in Butte County dropped 60% in 2019 post-fire.
Cleanup costs for PG&E alone reached $1.1 billion for pole replacements.
95 schools in affected areas closed for 2 weeks, impacting 15,000 students.

Property and Economic Damage Interpretation

This calamity, quantified in sobering billions and heartbreaking percentages, reveals not just a town erased but an entire economic and social ecosystem incinerated, leaving a profound human and financial scar that will define California for generations.

Sources & References

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