The 10 Costliest Wildfires In US History

By Evan Comen  •  June 15, 2026
A dramatic aerial shot of a field fire near White River, revealing striking contrast of flames and smoke.
Photo by K on Pexels

Historical data shows wildfires are getting more intense and more destructive. While climate change exacerbates many of the factors that lead to fire, such as hot temperatures and dry vegetation, increased development and urbanization are also making fires more destructive when they occur. According to data from the National Fire Protection Association, 18 of the 20 costliest fires in U.S. history occurred in the last 25 years. A closer look at the data reveals the costliest wildfires in U.S. history.

To determine the costliest wildfires in U.S. history, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on historical fires from the National Fire Protection Association. Fires were ranked based on total property damage, adjusted to 2024 dollars. Supplemental data on structures destroyed, acres burned, and fatalities is also from NFPA.

10. The Southern California Firestorm Fire (California, October 2007)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $2.7 billion
  • Property destroyed: 3,108 structures
  • Area burned: 518,000 acres
  • Fatalities: 10 deaths

9. CZU Lightning Complex Fire (California, August 2020)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $3.0 billion
  • Property destroyed: 1,490 structures
  • Area burned: 86,509 acres
  • Fatalities: 1 deaths

8. Thomas Fire (California, December 2017)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $3.2 billion
  • Property destroyed: 1,063 structures
  • Area burned: 281,893 acres
  • Fatalities: 2 deaths

7. Glass Fire (California, September 2020)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $3.5 billion
  • Property destroyed: 1,555 structures
  • Area burned: 67,484 acres
  • Fatalities: 0 deaths

6. Atlas Fire (California, October 2017)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $3.8 billion
  • Property destroyed: 783 structures
  • Area burned: 51,624 acres
  • Fatalities: 6 deaths
A somber scene of a burnt forest with leafless trees after a wildfire.
Photo by Alfo Medeiros on Pexels

5. Tunnel/Oakland Hills Fire (California, October 1991)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $3.9 billion
  • Property destroyed: 2,900 structures
  • Area burned: 1,600 acres
  • Fatalities: 25 deaths

4. Woolsey Fire (California, November 2018)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $5.2 billion
  • Property destroyed: 1,643 structures
  • Area burned: 96,949 acres
  • Fatalities: 3 deaths

3. Lahaina Fire (Hawaii, August 2023)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $6.2 billion
  • Property destroyed: 3,000 structures
  • Area burned: 2,170 acres
  • Fatalities: 101 deaths

2. Tubbs Fire (California, October 2017)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $11.0 billion
  • Property destroyed: 5,636 structures
  • Area burned: 36,807 acres
  • Fatalities: 22 deaths

1. Camp Fire (California, November 2018)

  • Total cost, adjusted for inflation: $12.4 billion
  • Property destroyed: 18,804 structures
  • Area burned: 153,336 acres
  • Fatalities: 85 deaths


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