Ranked: The Most Expensive U.S. Wildfires, So Far

What We're Showing

Wildfires are growing increasingly frequent and destructive around the world as human-driven climate impacts continue to escalate—and the United States is no exception.

In collaboration with Inigo Insurance, this visual explores the most expensive wildfires in U.S. history to date, using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information to provide crucial context around their financial toll.

Key Takeaways

• According to NASA, extreme wildfire activity has more than doubled globally over the past two decades. 
• California and its neighboring Western states have been the epicenter of many of the most financially devastating wildfires in U.S. history.
• At the top of the list are the January 2025 Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires, which together caused an unprecedented $65.0 billion in damage.