The 2025 wildfire season demonstrated that the size of a fire is not always indicative of its consequences. Fires in densely populated or vulnerable areas, such as Los Angeles and South Korea, led to significant loss of life and property. The Los Angeles fires alone caused $140 billion in damages, while South Korea's March wildfires resulted in 32 deaths. In Europe, Mediterranean wildfires displaced 120,000 people and caused 28 fatalities. Additionally, Canada’s boreal forest fires contributed to extraordinary CO2 emissions, with the last three years surpassing the combined emissions of the previous 15 years. These events underscore the need to consider factors beyond acreage, such as fire intensity and proximity to communities, when assessing wildfire risks.