California’s Wildfires Surge To 70,000 Acres, Damage Into Billions
The Madre Fire near San Luis Obispo is only 10% contained. The area is north of Santa Barbara. At this point, there is no reason to think it will continue in the next few days.
The fire is not the only problem. Winds have blown heavy smoke several miles away. Smoke damage can be nearly as dangerous to both human and property values.
According to The New York Times, “California is bracing for an especially brutal summer of wildfires as it still recovers from the devastating blazes in Los Angeles in January. Forecasters are predicting exceptional heat, which could bring more large wildfires than usual.”
Smoke Damage
The LA wildfires, which burned to the south in January, triggered economic losses of $250 billion. The fire today is not as close to large population areas, so the damage may be less. That could change if the fire grew much larger and shifted to the south.
One notable point about the LA wildfires is that the smoke damage to homes has been impossible to remove. Many residents have had to tear down parts of their homes that were not consumed by the flames. In many cases, insurance companies have been slow to pay for this work.
If the past is any forecast, fires between now and the end of the year could set a cumulative record for the state.
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