A series of catastrophic wildfires have been tearing through the Los Angeles metropolitan area, driven by prolonged drought, critically low humidity and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. The fast-moving fires consumed thousands of acres, destroying entire neighborhoods, displacing tens of thousands of residents and overwhelming emergency response efforts, in what may turn out to be one of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history.
According to the EPA, wildfire season begins earlier, lasts longer and sees fires occurring more frequently due to the effects of climate change. Residents affected by the Los Angeles wildfires will face a cycle of rebuilding and risk management for years to come as policymakers and insurers struggle to balance financial sustainability with the need for protection in high-risk areas.
