Insurance claims are probably worse in the "let go" areas, but it sounds like the whole state is taking a hit to the wallet. Its not like their budget was doing well even before this.
A major interstate being shut down means longer shipping routes, and higher prices for some goods. The money for fighting these fires comes from statewide taxes, and that's not exactly an expense you can cap off when it exceeds the budget. Tourism is certainly down in many areas, especially state parks. I imagine the smoky areas are keeping people indoors, which probably hurts even the local shopping/dining industries.
But hey, at least the redwoods are gonna be fine. I read that forest fires barely even bother the old growth trees.
I can't say for certain ... but I do know there's been a lot of environmental, anti-logging, folks in many of those areas that refuse to allow them to clean out the dead wood and such. That's probably a major contributor. They get what they ask for, this is California.
I'm curious if the places that are devastated were "let go" or if they were "protected" and still lost battles against the fires.