Creek Fire is the 10th largest wildfire in California's modern history

California has had a record-breaking wildfire season with more than 3 million acres of land torched by flames just this year.

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Thursday, September 17, 2020
Creek Fire: 244,756 acres burned with 18% containment
Officials say military personnel from different branches, including 200 Marines and 10 members of the Navy, are arriving 'very shortly' to help battle the flames.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Creek Fire is now in the top 10 of the biggest wildfires to burn in California's modern history, CAL FIRE officials said on Thursday.



The raging fire, which is now more than 244,000 acres and has forced thousands people from their homes in Madera and Fresno counties, ranked 10th on CAL FIRE's largest wildfires list.



The Creek Fire has quickly become the second-largest wildfire to burn in the Sierra Nevada, and one of the fastest spreading. Only the 2013 Rim Fire was bigger, and scorched 257,314 acres.



RELATED: Creek Fire: Wildfire burning at historic pace through Sierra Nevada


The spread of the Creek Fire has been staggering. It burned 45,000 acres on day one, 36,000 the next day, 48,000 more acres on day three, then 21,000 more acres.


Four other wildfires currently burning have also ranked as some of the largest in state history, with the August Complex Fire in Northern California topping it.



The SCU Lightning Complex, LNU Lightning Complex, and the North Complex, all of which are also burning in Northern California, were among those listed, too.



RELATED: August Complex Fire now the largest in recent California history: See list of top 10



California has had a record-breaking wildfire season with more than 3 million acres of land torched by flames just this year.



Click here for the latest stories, videos from the Creek Fire.

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