Wildfire Risk Intensifies in 2024: Over 2.6 Million Homes at High Risk in the Western U.S.

Wildfire activity in the U.S. has surged in 2024, with more than 24,000 fires burning over 3 million acres nationwide by mid-July. The western U.S. remains particularly vulnerable, with over 2.6 million homes at moderate or greater wildfire risk, representing a staggering $1.2 trillion in potential reconstruction costs. California, Colorado, and Texas lead in the number of at-risk homes, particularly in Wildland-Urban Interface areas.

CoreLogic’s 2024 Wildfire Risk Report highlights the pressing need for effective risk mitigation strategies. The report examines the wildfire risk landscape, focusing on the effectiveness of wildfire-informed development patterns and other mitigation efforts, which could reduce expected losses and insurance premiums in high-risk areas by up to 75%.

The devastation in Lahaina, Maui, from August 2023’s wildfires serves as a critical case study, illustrating the challenges of post-disaster recovery, especially in the face of climate change and escalating reconstruction costs. The slow progress in rebuilding underscores the need for strategic planning and advanced risk assessment to protect vulnerable communities.