2025 Was Costliest Year on Record for Wildfires Despite Lower Burn Area
Wildfires caused more financial damage in 2025 than in any previous year, accounting for 38% of all insured natural hazard losses globally. Catastrophic blazes across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South Korea resulted in over 90 deaths and forced approximately 300,000 people to evacuate, underscoring a rising societal toll. Paradoxically, the total area burned in 2025 was the second-lowest since records began in 2002, falling 16% below the long-term average. Researchers suggest this discrepancy is due to fires increasingly impacting wealthier, more developed areas, such as record-breaking blazes in Spain, Portugal, and South Korea.
Prefer swipe-first reading?
Install the app to keep reading with faster loads and a smoother mobile experience.
Sources
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting ...
2025 was the costliest wildfire year in history—despite burning less land than usual | Fortune
For the realists in the rooms—perhaps joined by economists and accountants—2025’s wildfire season was anything but good news. ... Last year’s fires took the costliest financial toll in recorded wildfire history, accounting for 38% of all insured losses related to natural hazards, according ...
Study finds 2025 was costliest year on record for wildfires | The Independent
And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more · Wildfires caused more financial damage in 2025 ...
According to the study, a series of "catastrophic" wildfires across Canada, the United States, Europe, and South Korea resulted in more than 300,000 evacuations and over 90 deaths, "underscoring the rising societal toll of extreme wildfire events." Financially, 2025 became the costliest year on ...
2025 wildfires were the costliest natural disasters in world history. LA, UK to Canada
HomeFeatures2025 wildfires were the costliest natural disasters in world history. LA, UK... ... New Delhi: The year 2025 saw the most expensive wildfires in the world, according to a new study in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, published on 1 June.
Wildfires caused record losses in 2025 despite having the second-lowest burn area since 2002 - The Watchers
A new study found that 335 million ha (828 million ha) burned worldwide in 2025, the second-lowest global wildfire total since 2002 and 16% below the long-term average. Despite that, 2025 became the costliest year on record for insured wildfire losses globally, with more than 300 000 evacuations ...
Wildfires caused huge losses in 2025 despite one of the lowest burn areas on record • Muser Press
However, a series of “catastrophic” wildfires across Canada, the United States, Europe and South Korea resulted in over 300,000 evacuations and over 90 fatalities, underscoring the rising societal toll of extreme wildfire events. Financially, 2025 became the costliest year on record for ...
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. First, the good news: A new analysis of global wildfire activity in 2025 shows that the year had the second-lowest area burned since 2002. But at the same time, the study also revealed that the world experienced some of the most destructive ...
Wildfires devastating richer areas but fewer hectares burned globally – study | Wildfires | The Guardian
Record-breaking blazes in Spain and Portugal burned more than half a million hectares, while South Korea had its biggest and deadliest wildfire season on record. Fires accounted for more than 38% of insured losses from weather disasters in 2025, the study found.
Fact Checks
Related news
Accountability Debates: Funding, Legal Obstacles, and Historical Knowledge on Climate Change
Federal funding for the oil and gas industry has reportedly broken commitments to phase out fossil fuels, sparking debate over corporate accountability for the climate crisis. Reports indicate that major emitting countries and governments had knowledge of the dangers posed by fossil fuels for decades, sometimes since the 1960s. This historical knowledge contrasts with current claims and suggests governments ignored legal obligations to prevent climate harm, while industry lawyers have also been accused of obstructing climate accountability in court.
Colorado Climate Extremes Signal New Reality for Water Management and Disease Risk
Extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts, wildfires, and heavy flooding, have arrived in Colorado, signaling that climate disaster is no longer a distant threat but a current reality. Research is examining how these shifts may reshape disease risk, while extreme snow droughts are proving that severe water shortages will become the norm for the Western United States. This climate instability is directly impacting critical water resources, particularly the Colorado River. As negotiations intensify over the river's future, federal officials are planning interventions, potentially imposing large cuts to water usage across seven states. Experts suggest that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation should reconsider its management approach amid these climate pressures and legal disputes.
Indonesia Urges Climate Cooperation with Timor-Leste
Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called for enhanced bilateral relations and joint cooperation with Timor-Leste to address climate challenges. This diplomatic push aligns with global concerns, as extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts pose severe threats to children worldwide. According to UNICEF reports, nearly one in two children are exposed to multiple climate risks simultaneously, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international action.
Climate Change Reshapes California Wine Map and Viticulture
Climate change is fundamentally reshaping the geography of California's wine production, with researchers noting that shifting climatic conditions and escalating wildfire risks are making certain regions less viable for traditional viticulture. This environmental pressure is causing a potential flip in the wine map, with established areas like Napa and Sonoma facing challenges while coastal regions potentially surge. To cope, the industry is exploring adaptation strategies. Winemakers are testing heat-tolerant grape varieties, such as Mourvèdre, and the broader viticulture sector is seeking resilience. Lessons from other regions, like Mexico's climate-resilient wine industry, are also being studied as models for dealing with global climate challenges.
States and groups challenge EPA rollbacks of super pollutant regulations
The Trump administration announced a loosening of rules that would have restricted the use of super-polluting greenhouse gases in commercial refrigeration, aiming to lower costs. This included rolling back deadlines for businesses, such as supermarkets, allowing them more time—extending limits until 2032—to transition to less-polluting equipment. Environmental groups and state governments have responded by challenging these regulatory changes. California sued the administration for ignoring climate-changing fridge chemicals, while organizations like Bonta have fought the EPA's attempts to weaken 'super pollutant' regulations. Furthermore, New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of attorneys general have joined lawsuits to challenge the federal government's rollback of…
Rising Climate Costs Force Changes in Business Strategy and Risk Assessment
Rising climate costs are fundamentally altering how companies approach business strategy and investment decisions. This shift is driven by the tangible financial impact of climate change, pushing organizations to reassess operational models and long-term planning. Business leaders acknowledge that sustainability can be a source of competitiveness, yet they remain concerned about the risks associated with a 'disorderly climate transition'. Furthermore, mandatory sustainability reporting standards are adding another layer of cost and complexity for organizations, highlighting that the scope of the climate challenge extends beyond simple emissions.
Take Yomuyo with you
Download the mobile app for personalized headlines and quick access to breaking stories.