What were the costliest U.S. wildfires?
The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires are the two costliest wildland fires on record, together exceeding $40 billion in estimated insured losses. The 2018 Camp Fire ranks third.
$23B The January 2025 Palisades Fire caused $23 billion in estimated insured losses. (Aon, via Insurance Information Institute, 2025; estimate. Source)
$17.5B The January 2025 Eaton Fire caused $17.5 billion in estimated insured losses. (Aon, via Insurance Information Institute, 2025; estimate. Source)
$10B The 2018 Camp Fire caused $10 billion in insured losses, $12.887 billion adjusted. (Aon, via Insurance Information Institute, 2018. Source)
How destructive are major wildfires?
The Camp Fire destroyed 18,804 structures and killed 85 people. The Eaton and Palisades fires rank second and third for structures destroyed, all in the last decade except where noted.
18,804 The Camp Fire destroyed 18,804 structures, the most of any California fire. (Calfire, via Insurance Information Institute, 2018. Source)
85 The Camp Fire killed 85 people, the deadliest California wildfire. (Calfire, via Insurance Information Institute, 2018. Source)
9,413 The Eaton Fire destroyed 9,413 structures and killed 18 people. (Calfire, via Insurance Information Institute, 2025. Source)
6,833 The Palisades Fire destroyed 6,833 structures and killed 12 people. (Calfire, via Insurance Information Institute, 2025. Source)
1.03M The 2020 August Complex burned 1,032,648 acres, the largest California wildfire. (Calfire, via Insurance Information Institute, 2020. Source)
How many wildfires burn each year?
The U.S. recorded 64,897 wildfires burning 8.92 million acres in 2024. California lights the most fires, Oregon burns the most acres, and Texas ranks near the top of both lists.
64,897 The U.S. recorded 64,897 wildfires in 2024. (National Interagency Fire Center, via III, 2024. Source)
8.92M Those fires consumed 8,924,884 acres of wildland. (National Interagency Fire Center, via III, 2024. Source)
7.5M Over 7.5 million acres of wildland burned in 2022. (NOAA NCEI Annual Wildfires Report, via III, 2022. Source)
8,316 California led the country with 8,316 wildfires in 2024. (National Interagency Fire Center, via III, 2024. Source)
4,967 Texas had 4,967 wildfires in 2024, second most in the country. (National Interagency Fire Center, via III, 2024. Source)
1.80M Oregon led the country with 1,797,796 acres burned in 2024. (National Interagency Fire Center, via III, 2024. Source)
85% Humans cause about 85% of all U.S. wildfires yearly. (National Park Service, via Insurance Information Institute, annual. Source)
How many homes face extreme wildfire risk?
California has 1.26 million homes at extreme wildfire risk, nearly four times second place Colorado. Texas ranks third, which matters for AdjusterAlly claimants more than most national roundups admit.
1.26M California has 1,257,966 housing units at risk for extreme wildfires. (Cotality, via Insurance Information Institute, 2025. Source)
243K Texas ranks third with 243,136 housing units at extreme wildfire risk. (Cotality, via Insurance Information Institute, 2025. Source)
What can an adjuster charge after a California wildfire?
California has no statutory cap on public adjuster fees, unlike Texas at 10% or Florida at 20% outside emergencies. Wildfire victims should demand the fee calculation in dollars and confirm the solicitation followed the nighttime curfew.
No cap California has no statutory cap on public adjuster fees, so wildfire victims should compare fee math in dollars. (Cal. Ins. Code 15027, via AdjusterAlly California page, current. Source)
California fee rules with statute text → All property claim statistics →
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfire smoke damage?
Coverage for smoke, ash, and evacuation costs varies by policy and state, and no national series tracks smoke claim outcomes, so this page does not quote one.
TODO: no primary smoke payout series found. Search: California Department of Insurance wildfire claim handling guidance, NFIP versus homeowners split for wildfire adjacent flooding and debris flow, insurer 10-K wildfire loss disclosures.
Methodology
Fire counts and acres are National Interagency Fire Center administrative data via III. Cause share is National Park Service federal data via III. Insured loss rankings are Aon estimates via III. Fire records are Calfire administrative data via III. Exposure counts are Cotality modeled data. Nothing here comes from another stats roundup. Last updated September 13, 2026. Next scheduled review January 2027.