How do wildfires get their names?
Eaton, Palisades and Auto: How are wildfires named? It starts with a local landmark, but ends up concise for easy tracking. Here's how it works.
The names of each wildfire are based on the fire’s location, uniqueness and consistency, as well as the name’s simplicity and memorability and, lastly, historical and cultural considerations.
In recent weeks, wildfire names like Palisades, Eaton and Auto have become all too familiar as wind-fueled infernos scorched thousands of acres in Southern California. As wildfire incidents become more frequent and intense, understanding the naming process of these events is crucial for effective tracking and communication.
Wildfires are named by the agencies that discover them, typically the local fire department or relevant land management agency. This naming process is essential for clear communication and coordination among the various teams involved in firefighting efforts.
An Avenue sign stands among burned homes in Southern California on January 10, 2025. The California wildfires have collectively scorched nearly 38,000 acres, with Governor Gavin Newsom describing them as among the most severe in U.S. history. (Photo by Sahab Zaribaf / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP)
The names are picked quickly by the first firefighter on the scene and can occasionally be obtuse. Some examples include the Dad Fire that started on Father's Day in 2012, the Not Creative Fire in 2015 in Idaho and the Dump Fire in 2015, which started near a local trash dump in Utah. In Fresno County, California, in 2024, lightning started three fires near each other, which were named the Bolt Fire, the Flash Fire and the Strike Fire.
Location-based naming
Most wildfires are named after geographical locations. This is typically a road, but could also be the nearest town, a neighborhood, a notable landmark or a natural feature such as a mountain, river or creek.
For instance, the infamous Camp Fire in California in 2018 was named after Camp Creek Road, where it originated. That's also true for the Carr Fire in the same year, which started near Carr Powerhouse Road. The recent Auto Fire was named after Auto Center Drive in the city of Ventura, about 60 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
An aerial view of repair vehicles at sunset passing near beachfront homes that burned in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 15, 2025 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Uniqueness and consistency
Agencies strive to choose unique names that are unlikely to be repeated within the same year to avoid confusion, especially when multiple fires are burning simultaneously in the same region. This practice is similar to the way hurricanes are named, ensuring each event has a distinct identifier. However, with thousands of agencies naming tens of thousands of wildfires each year, names are bound to get reused.
Simplicity and memorability
Wildfire names are generally short, often one word only, and easy to spell, speak and remember, which aids in quick identification and communication. This simplicity is particularly important during broadcasts and updates throughout the fire season.
Historical and cultural considerations
In some cases, the names of wildfires may reflect historical or cultural significance. However, the primary focus remains to ensure that the name is relevant to the location and is easy to communicate.
Naming wildfires is a critical component of effective wildfire management and communication. As these events continue to occur, staying informed about their progress and impact is essential.
An aerial view of hillside homes which burned in the Palisades Fire, near a home which is intact, as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 15, 2025 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
