California Wildfire: How Large Can the Losses Be?

California's increasing wildfire losses are examined, focusing on major historical events, potential extreme urban conflagrations, and the rising risks associated with population growth and wildfire suppression policies.

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October 2007 California wildfires

As a former California resident, I watched Santa Anna winds (aka Sundowner winds) sweep down from the desert and blow out to sea. 100 km per hour winds, 5% humidity, 35 degree C temperatures (the temperature goes UP after sundown via compression), and all it takes is a spark on the mountain ridge road. In Santa Barbara, I watched electrical transfo... See more

The Carr Fire, as it came to be known, ignited on July 23 near the hamlet of Whiskeytown, fifteen miles west of Redding, due to sparks thrown by a trailer wheel with a flat tire. Three days later, the fire roared into the city. The temperature that day was similar to Black Saturday, 2009: 113°F (tying a local record that was 13°F above the average

John Vaillant • Fire Weather

'Cadillac insurance'? Hunt for private firefighters as California burns

reuters.com

How Well-Intentioned Policies Fueled L.A.’s Fires

M. Nolan Gray theatlantic.com