California’s wildfire losses and their associated costs could be more than double what’s been reported, according to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). In it’s recently-released report, “The Costs of Wildfire in California: An Independent Review of Scientific and Technical Information,” CCST states that the data currently available fails to account for unquantifiable losses, such as public health impacts, resulting in inaccurate costs.

The 248-page report challenges current fire management policies by providing a thorough framework to enable policymakers to assess wildfire losses more effectively. The document also suggests opportunities to strengthen wildfire management policies and invest in stronger prevention and mitigation strategies moving forward.

CCST is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established by the California State Legislature for the purpose of using science and technology to strengthen policymaking. The full report, as well as an executive summary and one-pager, can be found at the CCST website.