New congressional report introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico indicates that the cost of wildfires caused by climate change to the U.S. economy is between $394 billion and $893 billion annually. That's a shocking figure, double the government's previous estimates.

The report covers a wide range of costs, including damage to real estate, loss of income associated with premature deaths and threats to watersheds caused by smoke from wildfires. A similar report prepared during the Trump administration estimated costs at between $87.4 billion and $427.8 billion annually. Senator Heinrich emphasized that these numbers have a serious systemic impact on''economy, even if you live in a place where wildfires have never been a problem.

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the report looks at the cascading economic costs associated with wildfires, including impacts that continue long after the fire is extinguished. Heinrich and his staff endeavor to show why lawmakers and officials should spend money up front on resilience measures. Actual losses in U.S.

Fires'. 'can also adversely affect drinking water

that's a critical issue for the West, which faces a drier future. Some communities already face contamination of nearby rivers and streams that provide drinking water, which threatens to cause delivery problems. As a result, federal funding is needed to modernize water treatment systems and ensure safe drinking water. Heinrich emphasizes that the costs to watersheds are "very significant." These problems need immediate attention and solutions.