Wildfires cost countries millions sometimes billions a year
Wildfires cost countries millions sometimes billions a year
For instance, a study by University College London stated in the report showed that California’s 2018 wildfires alone cost the U.S. a whopping $148.5 billion. Capital losses and health costs within the state amounted to $59.9 billion.
The report noted that employing traditional wildfire detection methods fail to reduce the risks of the disaster. Detecting fires through human sight may take up to 6 hours or more.
Within those hours, a wildfire may have already spread and cost the state or country billions in firefighting. In the U.S., for example, the cost of fighting wildfires is around $3.7 billion in 2022.
The report noted that employing traditional wildfire detection methods fail to reduce the risks of the disaster. Detecting fires through human sight may take up to 6 hours or more.
Within those hours, a wildfire may have already spread and cost the state or country billions in firefighting. In the U.S., for example, the cost of fighting wildfires is around $3.7 billion in 2022.
As of February 2025, comprehensive data on wildfire suppression costs in 2024 is still being compiled. However, estimates highlight the growing financial burden of wildfires worldwide.
Europe:
• 2023: Wildfires across the continent caused an estimated $4.1 billion in damages between January and August.
United States:
• 2023: Federal firefighting suppression costs totalled $3.17 billion, with the U.S. Forest Service contributing $2.7 billion and the Department of the Interior $466.3 million.
• 2024: While final data is pending, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s $1.73 billion budget for wildfire management does not reflect actual expenditures. Costs are projected to rise 42% by 2050, potentially reaching $13 billion annually under severe climate scenarios.
Canada:
• 2023: Wildfires caused $3.1 billion in damages.
• 2024: The Jasper wildfire in Alberta led to $149 million in disaster recovery costs.
With wildfires becoming more frequent and severe, suppression and recovery costs are expected to rise significantly, increasing financial strain on governments worldwide.