Losses From California Wildfires Top $1 Billion, Expected to Rise ‘Dramatically’

Climate

Insured losses from fires in Northern California have topped $1 billion and are expected to rise “dramatically,” state insurance officials announced Thursday.


The state estimates that the fires have now torched 8,400 buildings and left 42 dead, making these fires the deadliest in the state’s history. Fighting wildfire is now costing the U.S. billions of dollars each year as climate change continues to fuel the flames and rampant development into increasingly dry wildland areas prone to fire ups the risk posed to homes and businesses.

For a deeper dive:

California fire costs: Fox News, U.S. News

Land development: Thomson Reuters Foundation

Background: Climate Signals background on Napa fires, infographic on rising CA fire costs, infographic on rising U.S. costs

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