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US State of California on Friday continued to battle with devastating wildfires has reached historic proportions.
The fire which began since Tuesday had been reported to have started again on Friday morning at Granada Hills, according to Yahoo News.
Over 30,000 people as at Tuesday were ordered to evacuate the worst hit areas.
From the infamous Camp Fire of 2018, which obliterated a staggering 18,804 structures, to the recent Palisades Fire of January 2025, the state is no stranger to catastrophic destruction.
These fires have left an indelible mark, reshaping landscapes, livelihoods, and insurance claims alike.
According to a Friday update from Forbes, here are top 10 wildfires in California:
Camp Fire (November 2018): 18,804 structures destroyed. Tubbs Fire (October 2017): 5,636 structures lost. Palisades Fire (January 2025): 5,316 structures ravaged. Eaton Fire (January 2025): Over 4,000 structures burned. Tunnel-Oakland Hills Fire (October 1991): 2,900 structures incinerated. Cedar Fire (October 2003): 2,820 structures consumed. North Complex Fire (August 2020): 2,352 structures reduced to ash. Valley Fire (September 2015): 1,955 structures wiped out. Witch Fire (October 2007): 1,650 structures lost. Woolsey Fire (November 2018): 1,643 structures destroyed.Financial toll
Meanwhile, an update from the Forbes report stated that the scale of this recent destruction in the Palisades is translating into unprecedented financial repercussions.
JPMorgan analysts, led by Jimmy Bhullar, estimate total damages at $50 billion, including $20 billion in insured losses, making this the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history.
“Estimates of potential economic and insured losses are likely to increase,” Bhullar noted in a report on Thursday.
Moody’s vice president-senior credit officer Jasper Cooper added, “Insured losses will run in the billions of dollars, given the high value of homes and businesses in the impacted areas. Commercial property losses could be significant.”
What caused the wildfire?
The infernos were fueled by a deadly trifecta of gusty winds, drought conditions, and low humidity. The onset of La Niña, a climate phenomenon tied to drier conditions in southern U.S., set the stage for extreme fire conditions in California.
Los Angeles, for example, has recorded alarmingly low rainfall over the past eight months. The city’s last substantial rainfall was in May, exacerbating the dry winter and intensifying the risk.
Adding to the peril were the Santa Ana winds, also called “devil winds.” These dry, fast-moving winds, originating from Nevada and Utah, clocked speeds of 99 mph near Altadena and up to 100 mph in mountain regions, creating the perfect storm for fires to spread.
Cal Fire is actively investigating the specific ignition points, but officials believe a combination of human activities and environmental factors contributed to this year’s fires.
The Human and Environmental Costs
From the loss of nearly 5,316 structures in the Palisades Fire to over 4,000 in the Eaton Fire, both in January 2025, thousands of Californians are grappling with the destruction of homes, businesses, and ecosystems. Entire communities have been displaced, adding to the emotional and economic burden.
