After the 2017 hurricane season broke the record for costliest in history, Q4 surprised insurers with two large wildfire events in California. Between October and December, 5 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in the state’s history occurred. Between both fire outbreaks, over 10,000 structures were destroyed, and the total economic loss is estimated to be $180 billion.

Between October 8th and 31st, wildfires in Northern California burned 245,000 acres and damaged 27 wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties. 8,900 structures were destroyed, contributing to the $10 billion in insured property losses. These fires were deemed the costliest and most destructive group of wildfires in California history. The Tubbs fire of the October outbreak was the single most destructive fire in California history, destroying 5,643 structures on its own.

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