Part of the problem with the fires is that certain areas do not subscribe to the proper management of the forests. Those huge fires didn't happen as often in nature because smaller fires kept the fuel under control a bit. Forested areas need controlled burns and/or fire breaks to prevent some of this.
Costs are up because people build expensive things next to tinderboxes. My forest is about to be thinned (within the next week). It should help the remaining trees be healthier and make management easier.
Good luck up there.