Official reports and declarations from FEMA and insurance industry reports

Los Angeles Wildfires Claim 16 Lives, Projected to Be Costliest U.S. Disaster at $150 Billion, Spanning 62 Square Miles

Jan 12, 2025, 04:36 AM

The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County are projected to be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, with preliminary estimates from AccuWeather suggesting damage and economic losses ranging between $135 billion and $150 billion. The fires have already claimed at least 16 lives and destroyed over 12,000 structures, fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds and an extreme drought. California Governor Gavin Newsom has stated that the wildfires could be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history in terms of costs, scale, and scope. The blazes have consumed about 62 square miles, with 89% of the largest area, the Palisades, still uncontrolled. The containment efforts stand at 11% for the Palisades Fire and 15% for the Eaton Fire, and officials warn that the death toll is likely to rise as search and rescue operations continue.