AccuWeather, an American company specializing in providing weather services and climate information, reported that the economic losses resulting from the Los Angeles fires, according to preliminary estimates, are among the costliest in the history of natural disasters in the United States, and it is likely to become the most expensive forest fire in the country’s history.
She stated that the fires raging in the areas surrounding Santa Monica and Malibua, which are among the most expensive real estate areas in the United States, are causing economic damage estimated at between 52 and 57 billion dollars.
The company notes that these losses include the major destruction of homes in areas where the average home value exceeds $2 million.
She stated that the strong winds witnessed by these fires, which are accompanied by strong winds that may reach hurricane force, help spread the fires more widely, threatening more homes and property in these areas. These conditions may lead to the destruction of larger numbers of residential and commercial buildings, increasing economic damage.
According to data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; The 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster is considered the costliest natural disaster in US history, causing approximately $200 billion in damage.
In 2018, California also witnessed a series of large fires, including the Camp Fire, which caused approximately $30 billion in damage.
But the Los Angeles fires may be more impactful in terms of economic damage, as the effects of these fires extend to many economic sectors.
The American company added that, in addition to significant property damage and human losses, there will likely be long-term health effects as a result of the accumulation of toxic smoke in the atmosphere, which may affect the health of residents and residents in the area, adding that these fires may also lead to a decline in The tourism sector in Los Angeles is one of the most prominent sources of income in the region.
Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at the American company, explained that these fires are considered among the worst in the history of California.
“This is already one of the worst wildfires in the state’s history,” he said. “If the fires continue in the coming days and destroy a greater number of buildings, it could become the worst wildfire in modern California history in terms of the number of buildings destroyed and the resulting economic losses.”