Wildfires in Southern California, made worse by extreme drought and strong winds, have been burning across the Los Angeles County area since January 7 and continue to devastate the region. There are some estimates that the Los Angeles wildfires will cost upwards of $250 billion, which would make it the largest natural disaster in U.S. history. Disasters of this cost and scale are only becoming more frequent. Wildfires haven’t just been hitting California, either – Wyoming has been hit hard in several regions as well.
What’s happening: On January 23, H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act of 2025 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 279 to 141. The legislation would improve federal forest management and interagency coordination, speed project approvals, and reduce frivolous lawsuits. Building smart, modern, resilient infrastructure is one way to protect lives, homes, and businesses against future damage. For this reason, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed the Fix Our Forests Act. It is time for the Senate to finish the job and pass this important bill.
U.S. Chamber research with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Allstate found that for every $1 invested in pre-disaster mitigation and resilience projects and measures, it saves $13 in the cost of cleanup, damages, and economic savings. More upfront investment ahead of disasters will reduce the impact of the loss of jobs, GDP, and income. As a result, the economy and people will recover more quickly.
Go deeper: Read the full story and see the specific economic impacts that natural disasters can have from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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