As the California fires burn, experts say firefighters can only do so much in extreme conditions. Instead, people must understand that homes are the fuel in these disasters.

The wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County communities have destroyed at least 10,000 homes so far and more are in the path of still-uncontrolled flames.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs warn that the recent fires in Los Angeles County could become the most costly in California's history. Losses might reach up to $40 billion, placing these fires among the 20 most expensive natural disasters in the U.