The summer of 2002 was the most devastating fire season in a decade, a National Interagency Fire Center report shows.

About 7 million acres burned nationwide in 88,458 fires from May 1 through August 30, the report said.

The total was almost twice the average number of acres burned in each of the previous 10 years.

The 72,962-acre Missionary Ridge Fire was way down the list of most devastating blazes.

Oregon had the two largest fires – the 500,068-acre Biscuit Fire and the 480,000-acre Trimbly Fire.

Close behind was the 468,638-acre Rodeo/Chediski Complex Fire in Arizona.

The Kraft Complex Fire in South Dakota burned 351,000 acres and the Florence Fire in Oregon burned 333,891 acres.

Herald Staff