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Wildfire facts
The frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires has more than doubled in the last two decades, according to a 2024 study.¹
Wildfire
© [M] Munich Re [P1] Abstract Aerial Art / Getty Images/ [P2] Grant Faint / Getty Images [P3] Flavio Coelho / Getty Images

Definition

A wildfire is a fire that burns out of control in natural areas, such as
forests, grasslands, or prairies.
Wild fire approaching homes in California
© f00sion / Getty Images

Drivers of wildfire losses

Changing climate

Rising emissions and global warming can cause increased heat and extended drought.

Human activity

This includes carelessness with campfires, improperly discarded cigarettes, fireworks, arson, and problems with power transmission.

Land-cover changes

Communities spread and develop into
areas with higher fire risk.

Wildfire losses in the US

>1/3

Of the US population lives in counties with high wildfire risk²

$1.3tn

Value of homes at risk for wildfires estimated by US Fire Administration in 2023

7.6m

Acres burned in the US in 2022³

Five ways businessowners and homeowners can reduce wildfire risk

Top 5 states for wildfires ranked by number of fires (2022)4

Texas
California
North Carolina
Georgia
Oklahoma
Sources:
1Cunningham, C.X., Williamson, G.J. & Bowman, D.M.J.S. (2024). Increasing frequency and intensity of the most extreme wildfires on Earth. Nat Ecol Evol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02452-2
2USDA. 2024. Updates to wildfirerisk.org identify communities with increased risk and provide resources to mitigate wildfire. May 29. https://wildfirerisk.org/about/news/
3National Interagency Fire Center. (2024). Wildfires and acres statistics.
https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/statistics/wildfires
4Triple-III. (2023). Facts + statistics: Wildfires.
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-wildfires

Munich Re US expert

Jay Rosario
Jay Rosario
Head of Digital Solutions
Munich Re US
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