The wildfires that erupted this week across Los Angeles County are far from contained, but they're already expected to be the costliest in U.S. history and among the worst natural disasters.

Economic losses and damage are an estimated $135 billion and $150 billion, the costliest fire event in US history. Hurricane Helene in six states last fall caused up to $250 billion in damage.

Los Angeles continued to battle wildfires that have devastated communities, leading to 16 confirmed deaths in what California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday could be the costliest natural disaster in U.

President-elect Donald Trump launched a new round of criticism Sunday targeting Democrats over their efforts to tame the Southern California wildfires, ripping rival liberal leaders as “incompetent” witnesses to “one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country.”

President-elect Donald Trump has accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of prioritizing environmental policies over public safety, and claimed that FEMA lacked the funds to respond to the crisis.

Many are wondering what went wrong that the wildfires in Los Angeles, California, can't be stopped and continue to consume everything in their path.