Tammy Viggato

AIR is often asked where losses from extreme events fall on our exceedance probability (EP) curve. However, likening industry loss estimates to AIR’s published EP curve is not a valid comparison.

Fifteen years ago, on October 25, 2003, the Cedar Fire was accidentally ignited in San Diego County, California.

The western United States, California in particular, has already suffered a grueling wildfire season this year, with just over a month to go. What caused the fires is still being debated, but once the sparks were ignited, which major factors contributed to the ongoing destruction?

The catastrophic wildfires that raced through Gatlinburg last week claimed 14 lives and nearly 1,700 homes, devastating the region and shocking residents long accustomed to the safety of this peaceful, forest idyll.

In October, I attended the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Backyards and Beyond Wildland Fire Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.