Burning Down the House

The worst year for forest fires was 2006 when 9.87 million acres burned, with 2007 a close second at 9.33 million acres. This year, 9.10 million acres, an area roughly half the size of SC, have burned making it the third worst year. Economic losses in ‘12 have totaled just over $1 billion, slightly below the 10-year average of $1.2 billion. The average number of homes destroyed is 2,600.