Carlton Complex Fire was a massive wildfire in north central Washington which burned during the 2014 Washington wildfire season . It began on July 14 , 2014 as four separate lightning-caused fires in the Methow Valley which merged into one by July 18 . The complex destroyed 353 homes in and around the towns of Pateros and Brewster , as well as rural Okanogan County . The fire caused an estimated $ 98 million ( 2014 USD ) in damages . The Carlton Complex remains the largest single wildfire in Washington state history , surpassing the 1902 Yacolt Burn
2014 Washington wildfire season
2014 Washington wildfires
Carlton Complex Fire