Wildfires caused more financial damage in 2025 than in any other year, with catastrophic fires in the US, South Korea and Europe killing about 90 people and forcing roughly 300,000 to evacuate, a new study found.
Wildfires accounted for 38 per cent of all insured natural hazard losses globally in 2025 – more than hurricanes, earthquakes and floods combined – even as the total area burned was the second lowest since records began in 2002 and 16 per cent below the long-term average.
