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Today in History: Devil's Broom fire becomes largest in U.S. history

8/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On August 20, 1910, hurricane-force winds merged numerous small fires in Washington and Idaho, creating the catastrophic Devil's Broom fire. This inferno consumed approximately 4,700 square miles, marking it as the largest fire in U.S. history. The blaze devastated vast forest areas, killed 87 people, and caused an estimated billion dollars in timber losses.

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Story summary

On August 20, 1910, hurricane-force winds merged numerous small fires in Washington and Idaho, creating the catastrophic Devil's Broom fire. This inferno consumed approximately 4,700 square miles, marking it as the largest fire in U.S. history. The blaze devastated vast forest areas, killed 87 people, and caused an estimated billion dollars in timber losses.