The Esperanza Fire started at 1:12 AM PDT on October 26, 2006 and burned an estimated 40,200 acres (163 km²) before containment. It resulted in the deaths of five firefighters, and also destroyed 34 houses and 20 outbuildings, as well as damaging California State Route 243 severely enough that motorists require an escort until the insured damage can be repaired. The damage the fire caused is estimated at more than $9 million on fire insurance claims, and it is the worst wildfire/firefighting disaster since 1994.
Source: Wikipedia