Harlow Fire

Harlow Fire
The footprint of the Harlow Fire
Date(s)	July 10 (10-07) – July 15, 1961 (1961-07-15) (6 days)
Location	Mariposa County and Madera County, Central California, United States
Coordinates	37°21′58″N 119°43′34″W / 37.366°N 119.726°W / 37.366; -119.726
Statistics
Burned area	43,329 acres (17,535 ha; 68 sq mi; 175 km2)
Impacts
Deaths	2
Non-fatal injuries	22
Structures destroyed	106 (20 damaged)
Damage	$2 million (equivalent to about $15.6 million in 2023)
Ignition
Cause	Arson
Map
The general location of the fire, in Central California's Mariposa and Madera counties

The Harlow Fire was a large wildfire in Central California's Mariposa and Madera counties in mid-July, 1961. The fire ignited on July 10 and burned rapidly, spreading to 43,329 acres (17,535 hectares) before it was fully surrounded by containment lines on July 13 and fully controlled on July 15. During those six days the Harlow Fire destroyed 106 buildings, devastating the rural communities of Ahwahnee and Nipinnawasee in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to the west of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest. Two residents of Ahwahnee were killed while fleeing the fire in their car.