Wildfires used to be a summer story. For most of the last decade, they arrived with the Northern Hemisphere dry season, dominated a few weeks of headlines, and receded once the rains came. That is no longer a safe assumption. Los Angeles burned in January 2025, a month that has historically been the quietest of the year for wildfire news anywhere in the world. Canada lost more forest in 2023 than in any year in its recorded history. Greece, Spain, and Portugal now post record-breaking fires in years that are not supposed to be their worst.

Given how much the pattern itself seems to be changing, we wanted to look past the headlines and into the data: how has coverage of wildfires actually moved over the past seven years, what does the aftermath of these fires look like once the smoke clears, and which countries, and companies, keep reappearing in the story. The analysis below sets out what the data shows, and, where it helps to understand it, what was actually happening on the ground at the time.

Executive summary

This analysis reviews global wildfire mentions between 2019 and 2026 across three lenses: quarterly mention volume, ESG sub-risk classification, and country-level geographic distribution, cross-referenced against documented public reporting. Three findings stand out: (1) wildfire coverage has shifted from a seasonal pattern to a sustained, year-round baseline since 2023; (2) coverage volume tracks proximity to population centers and identifiable liable parties more closely than it tracks the physical scale of the fire itself; and (3) the dominant subject matter in wildfire-related ESG coverage is the aftermath (casualties, contaminated water and air, insurance exposure, litigation) rather than the fire event in isolation.

1. Mention volume over time: a seasonal story becomes a year-round one

For most of the period, the data follows a predictable four-quarter cycle: Q1 is the annual low, Q2 shows a moderate rise, Q3 spikes with the Northern Hemisphere dry season, and Q4 falls back. That cycle breaks in two places, and both breaks mark a structural change rather than a one-off event.

• Q4 2023 does not return to baseline after the Q3 peak: coverage stays elevated into the final quarter for the first time in the dataset.
• Q1 2025, historically the lowest-volume quarter of the year, reaches roughly 270,000 mentions, more than several previous Q3 peaks.

The floor is the more telling number. In the quarters before 2023, non-peak volume rarely exceeded 80,000 mentions. From 2023 onward, even the quietest quarters do not fall below roughly 110,000–190,000. Wildfires have moved from a seasonal hazard to a year-round subject of coverage.

It's worth noting what does not explain this shift: acreage burned. 2020 through 2022, the years directly before this data climbs, include some of the largest fires by area in modern US and European history, yet register comparatively modest mention volume, partly because those years overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic, which absorbed a large share of global news capacity.

The years that do dominate the chart, 2023 and 2025, are not necessarily the years with the most land burned; they are the years fire reached population centers and produced an identifiable party to blame. The Lahaina, Marshall, and Los Angeles fires are all comparatively small by area next to the 2020 US West Coast season or Canada's 2023 season, but generated substantially more coverage because of death toll, structures destroyed, and utility liability. Acreage, in short, is a weak predictor of coverage; proximity and blame are strong ones.

What was happening on the ground behind each peak

Each Q3 peak in the dataset lines up with a specific, documented cluster of events:

• Q3 2021: the Dixie Fire destroys the town of Greenville, California; PG&E is investigated for potential criminal liability; concurrent wildfires in Greece and evacuations in Turkey land in the same window.
• Q3 2022: fires threaten the Yosemite region and Sequoia groves in California; Spain and Portugal report wildfires during a European heat wave; a federal review attributes a New Mexico wildfire to a botched prescribed burn.
• Q3 2023: Canada's wildfire season becomes the largest on record, roughly 15–18 million hectares burned, eight firefighter deaths, and up to 232,000 evacuations, and sends smoke over the northeastern US, pushing New York City's air quality index to a peak of 465 on June 7. In the same window, the Maui fires trigger a negligence lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, and in Greece, the Evros fire burns roughly 93,000 hectares, described by wildfire researchers as the largest single wildfire recorded in modern European history, days after the Rhodes evacuation of roughly 19,000 people, which Greek authorities called the country's largest-ever wildfire evacuation.
• Q3–Q4 2024: a wildfire cuts power to Labrador; another burns near Suncor's Firebag oil-sands site in Alberta; Jasper, Alberta is significantly damaged; Greek investigators attribute the country's worst fire of the year to a faulty power cable.
• Q1 2025 (the anomaly): a 14-fire outbreak tears through Los Angeles and San Diego County over January 7–31 on Santa Ana winds; the Palisades and Eaton fires alone destroy more than 18,000 structures and kill at least 31 people, with over 200,000 evacuated. Property-value loss is estimated at roughly $31 billion by CoStar, with total economic loss estimated between $250–275 billion by AccuWeather. Days later, the European Forest Fire Information System reports more than 100,000 hectares burned across the EU by the end of March, three months ahead of the typical season.

Across every year in the dataset, the same mechanism converts a fire into a sustained story: ignition (lightning, arson, or utility equipment failure) combines with drought and wind to produce the initial event, but litigation and identified liability sustain the coverage long after the fire is contained. PG&E, Southern California Edison, PacifiCorp, and Hawaiian Electric recur as named defendants across separate fires and separate years.

2. ESG sub-risk classification: ranked aftermath analysis

Wildfire-related controversies were classified into ESG sub-risk categories at the point of media mention. The ranking below runs from highest to lowest mention volume, with a documented, sourced example behind each category.

1. Community Health & Safety: by far the largest category. PG&E's Fire Victim Trust had paid out approximately $5.36 billion to survivors of the Butte, North Bay, and Camp fires as of late 2023, with payouts raised to 70% of approved claims by August 2025 against a $13.5 billion settlement fund; PacifiCorp has now paid or been ordered to pay more than $2 billion across Oregon and California wildfire litigation, including a $575 million federal settlement, a $305 million jury verdict, and a $125 million settlement with Oregon wineries; Hawaiian Electric remains in an active negligence case over the Maui fires.
2. Climate Change: wildfires are framed as both symptom and accelerant. Canada's 2023 season burned at roughly seven times the historical average; researchers found climate change had tripled the underlying fire risk in the country's boreal forest, and the season released an estimated 1.5 billion metric tons of CO2, comparable to a decade of Canada's typical wildfire emissions.
3. Biodiversity & Ecosystems: tied mainly to two events: Australia's Black Summer, where a WWF-commissioned study estimated three billion animals killed, injured, or displaced, including more than 60,000 koalas; and the Amazon, where 2024 fires burned an estimated 15.6–22 million hectares, the worst season on record, with Brazil alone logging 237,000 individual fires.
4. Customer Relations: reflects the California property-insurance crisis: State Farm nonrenewed roughly 72,000 California policies in the two years before the January 2025 fires, then faced a state investigation into claims handling, including denial of hygienic smoke-damage testing, after the fires it did cover. A $1 billion FAIR Plan assessment was subsequently levied on insurers operating in California.
5. Right to Property: tied to the scale of destroyed real estate, an estimated $31 billion in property value destroyed in the January 2025 Los Angeles fires, and to litigation over responsibility for that loss, including Los Angeles County's lawsuit against Southern California Edison and Edison's countersuit against the county.
6. Occupational Health & Safety: firefighter casualties and injury: the NFPA recorded 83 US firefighter fatalities in 2025, up from 69 in 2024; Canada's 2023 season killed eight firefighters; South Korea's 2025 wildfire outbreak killed three firefighters among its 32 total fatalities.
7. Marketing & Communication: covers corporate communications during active disasters, including relief pledges, the Recording Academy and MusiCares pledged $1 million to Los Angeles wildfire relief in January 2025, and utility crisis messaging, which came under renewed scrutiny after Edison International executive pay continued to rise during the period the company faced Eaton Fire liability claims.
8. Water Pollution: municipal water contamination after urban-interface fires. Following the January 2025 Los Angeles fires, benzene and other volatile organic compounds were detected in the drinking water of the Palisades, Altadena, and surrounding service areas; a follow-up point-of-use study found benzene in 17% of sampled homes. The same pattern was documented after the 2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa) and 2018 Camp Fire (Paradise), both also PG&E-linked.
9. Working Conditions: wildland and municipal firefighting workforce strain during extended, overlapping fire seasons across multiple continents.
10. Atmospheric Pollution: principally the June 2023 Canadian smoke event: New York City's air quality index peaked at 465, with a 24-hour PM2.5 average nearly three times the US regulatory standard, and follow-on research linked the event to a 44–82% increase in asthma-related emergency-department visits in the city.
11. Rights of Indigenous Communities: most documented in Canada, where more than 40% of national wildfire evacuations historically involve Indigenous communities, including the 2023 evacuation of the majority-Indigenous Northwest Territories capital, Yellowknife; and in the Amazon basin, where Indigenous-managed territories have been found to sequester carbon at rates far exceeding non-Indigenous-managed land.
12. Accounting & Securities Fraud: the Edison International shareholder class action filed after the Eaton Fire, alleging the company misrepresented the readiness of its power-shutoff program; Edison's share price fell approximately 34% following the fire, and the suit names CEO Pedro Pizarro and CFO Maria Rigatti as defendants.

The remaining categories (Product Safety, Fundamental Human Rights, Energy & Natural Resources Management, Board of Directors & Senior Management, and Data Privacy & Cyber Security) account for smaller shares of classified documents and were not tied to a comparably documented recurring event pattern in this dataset.

3. Geographic distribution of coverage

The United States accounts for the largest share of country-level mentions throughout the period, without a single dominant spike: volume rises through 2023–2025, peaks around 2025, then falls sharply into 2026. That shape fits a continuing sequence of named utility liability cases (PG&E, Southern California Edison, PacifiCorp) more than it fits a single event.

Outside the US, coverage is more episodic, clustering around identifiable national events rather than building a sustained baseline:

• Australia peaks sharply around 2019–2020, matching Black Summer (24 million hectares burned, 33 deaths, an estimated three billion animals affected), then recedes.
• Canada rises from 2022 and peaks around 2025, matching the record 2023 season (roughly 15–18 million hectares, eight firefighter deaths, up to 232,000 evacuated) and the continuation of large fires in 2024, including Jasper.
• Greece shows a sustained late-period rise, matching the 2023 Rhodes evacuation and the Evros fire, followed by continued fire activity in 2024, including the faulty-power-cable fire investigators called the country's worst of the year.
• Spain shows its highest point at the end of the series, consistent with the unusually early 2025 season (100,000+ hectares burned across the EU by end of March) and recurring summer wildfire and heat-wave coverage in 2022.
• France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom register comparatively low, stable volumes throughout, with modest increases around 2024–2025 in line with the broader post-2023 elevated baseline rather than country-specific events.

Read together, US coverage behaves like an ongoing institutional and legal narrative anchored by utility litigation, while rest-of-world coverage behaves like a series of discrete, event-driven spikes tied to specific fire seasons.

Conclusion

Across mention volume, ESG classification, and geography, the evidence points to a consistent mechanism. Coverage volume is driven primarily by three factors: proximity of the fire to population centers, the presence of an identifiable liable party, typically a utility, and how much a competing global news cycle is absorbing attention capacity at the same time. The physical scale of a fire is, on its own, a comparatively weak predictor of how much coverage it receives. On that basis, the next spike in wildfire coverage is more likely to come from an urban-interface fire with a clear liability story than from the largest fire by area.

At SESAMm, we have always been at the forefront of utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk analysis. Our journey began in 2014, leveraging natural language processing (NLP) to analyze vast amounts of data to identify company risks - from public equities to expanding into private assets. Our technology stack, deeply rooted in AI-first principles, has evolved significantly over the years, incorporating deep learning and large language models since their inception.

2023 marked a significant leap in generative AI, breaking data quality and precision barriers. Our ability to attain human-level precision in ESG control detection across dozens of languages is a testament to our commitment to continual technological advancement. We plan to further integrate generative AI into our processes, enhancing data quality and expanding our coverage, especially for smaller firms and infrastructure projects that often go unnoticed in the market.

Enhancing User Interaction with AI: The Future of Client Engagement

A significant focus for SESAMm in 2024 is transforming how clients interact with our SaaS platform. Last year, we introduced a prototype of our generative AI chatbot, which marked the beginning of a new era in user interaction. Our goal is to utilize generative AI not just for data improvement but to enhance the overall user experience. This includes making data more accessible and addressing challenges like the lack of unique identifiers in the private space.

Accelerating Innovation and Development with AI

Our team of 60 engineers and researchers is the driving force behind our rapid development and innovation. The integration of large language models has enabled us to deliver features more quickly and efficiently. With a robust infrastructure and an agile AI team, we're pushing the boundaries of what's achievable with AI, outpacing traditional human analyst capabilities. This agility in innovation is crucial for our continued leadership in the market.

The Future of AI Technologies in SESAMm's Roadmap

We keep a close eye on the latest AI advancements, from new open-source libraries to cutting-edge commercial models. Our team is deeply engaged in fine-tuning models for specific applications, especially in tracking ESG events and uncovering insights about smaller, lesser-known companies. This approach reflects our culture – an AI-first company specializing in the financial and ESG space, always eager to incorporate more technology and innovate.

Cementing Leadership in AI-Powered ESG Analysis

Our vision extends beyond 2024, aiming to be the premier global player in ESG controversy and risk analysis. With regulations evolving globally, we anticipate a significant expansion in our market. Our focus remains on delivering unparalleled reputational insights, especially in the investment world, but also rapidly expanding into supply chain analysis and client monitoring. We're not just keeping pace with the market but setting the standard for AI-powered ESG analysis.

The Expanding Global ESG Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges

As regulations intensify worldwide, including in polarized markets like the US and Asia, we see a growing demand for ESG analysis. This global shift presents both opportunities and challenges. Our strategy includes further integrating our solutions into various ecosystems, such as ESG reporting tools, portfolio management systems, and CRMs. Through strategic partnerships, we aim to position SESAMm as an integral part of the global ESG analysis framework.

Walking the Talk: SESAMm's Commitment to Sustainability

In 2024, SESAMm is not just about leading in technology; we're deeply committed to practicing what we preach regarding sustainability. We have a robust ESG Manifesto and a series of actions aligned with environmental, social, and governance principles. Recognizing our relatively limited carbon footprint as a tech company, we focus on making impactful choices and fostering a culture of awareness and change within our team.

We've implemented programs for environmental awareness, like our Climate Risk training, conducted by certified employees. Our efforts in governance are highlighted by the appointment of our first independent board member, Stephane Beson, signifying our dedication to having diverse external perspectives guiding our company.

Regarding environmental footprint, we prioritize partnering with providers that use clean energy in their data centers. This conscious decision-making extends to selecting partners who can offset their carbon emissions, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.

Remote Work and Sustainability: A Dual Focus

Our approach to remote work has always been progressive. We see it as not just a productivity enhancer but also as a key sustainability strategy. Given our global presence, with teams in France, New York, Tunisia, and London, remote work is essential. It brings our team closer, transcends cultural barriers, and reduces our carbon footprint by significantly cutting down on travel. This strategy aligns with our dedication to work-life balance, recognizing the importance of flexibility for our employees.

Targeting the Right Market with Tailored Services

2024 is a year of strategic focus for SESAMm, especially in terms of our target market. We're seeing a growing trend among banks to aggregate ESG controversy data. Our unique capability to provide comprehensive coverage, encompassing mixed assets portfolios, positions us as a key player for these institutions.

We continue strengthening our presence in private equity and expanding our reach into the banking sector, private debt, and infrastructure funds. Our dedicated corporate business practice is another area of expansion, helping European companies monitor ESG controversies. We also focus on sustainability and ESG teams, procurement teams, and third-party risk teams, ensuring a broad yet targeted market approach.

Upholding Data Security and Privacy

Data security and privacy are paramount, especially given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. Our co-founder and CTO brings invaluable expertise in cybersecurity. We conduct annual audits, have robust systems to monitor and preempt attacks, and continuously train our teams to be vigilant. While we don't deal with personal data, we focus on protecting critical systems for our clients, ensuring that we maintain the highest standards in data security.

Building a Team for the Future

Looking ahead, our confidence in 2024 stems from our team's exceptional capabilities. We've implemented agile processes and onboarded talented individuals across all levels. Our team's passion and dedication are key drivers in adapting to market changes and delivering high-quality services. It's not just about where SESAMm is now but how our team will continue to excel and innovate in the future.

A Vision of Innovation and Responsibility

As we move into 2024, SESAMm stands at the forefront of AI-powered ESG analysis, not just through technological innovation but also through a steadfast commitment to sustainability and security. Our focus on the right markets, combined with a forward-thinking approach to remote work and data protection, positions us to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

Join us at SESAMm as we navigate the future of ESG analysis, leveraging our expertise to foster a sustainable, secure, and innovative business environment. Explore SESAMm's cutting-edge solutions and be part of a future where technology meets responsibility.

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Today, it's important to understand the complexities of supply chain regulations. This was the main topic of a recent SESAMm webinar, “Understanding Supply Chain Regulations: The Future Implications of CSDDD”, which explored the implications of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and other important regulatory frameworks that affect global supply chains.

The webinar, led by SESAMm's CEO, Sylvain Forte, and ESG analyst Maha Chihaoui, explored the evolving landscape of ESG frameworks, laws, and regulations that influence supply chain operations. As businesses strive to enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical practices, they face a multitude of challenges and opportunities. The session highlighted how these initiatives could lead to substantial benefits such as environmental conservation, improved social conditions, and strengthened governance structures.

During the webinar, Maha Chihaoui emphasized the shift from non-binding guidelines to binding laws in the regulatory spectrum, signaling a more robust approach to enforcing corporate accountability and responsibility. Sylvain Forte also discussed the importance of moving beyond mere compliance to ensure genuine adherence to ESG principles, advocating for a systematic and continuous evaluation process to ensure businesses act on their promises.

The session also touched on real-life applications and challenges in implementing these frameworks. For example, the discussion included case studies on companies like Shein and Temu, highlighting how regulatory focus on supply chain controversies has increased visibility and accountability.

As regulatory frameworks around supply chains continue to evolve, the dialogue between various stakeholders—regulators, businesses, and the public—becomes crucial. SESAMm's webinar effectively shed light on these critical issues, offering insights and fostering a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between ESG initiatives and supply chain management.

Watch the webinar replay now:

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