AccuWeather estimates more than $250 billion in damages and economic loss from LA wildfires

 To put the magnitude of loss into context, this latest damage and economic loss estimate surpasses the numbers for the entire 2020 wildfire season.

By Monica Danielle, AccuWeather Managing Editor

Published Jan 13, 2025 3:49 PM EST | Updated Jan 13, 2025 7:59 PM EST

As fires continue to rage across Southern California and the scope of catastrophic damage, loss of life, business disruptions and other economic impacts becomes clearer, AccuWeather has updated and increased its preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss to between $250 billion and $275 billion.  

“These fast-moving, wind-driven infernos have created one of the costliest wildfire disasters in modern U.S. history,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. “Hurricane-force winds sent flames ripping through neighborhoods filled with multi-million-dollar homes. The devastation left behind is heartbreaking, and the economic toll is staggering."

AccuWeather estimates more than $250 billion in damages and economic loss from LA wildfires