Understanding change: Wildfire in Larimer County, Colorado

Abstract

Wildfire activity continues to plague communities in the American West. Three causes are often identified as key contributors to the wildfire problem: accumulated fuels on public lands due to a history of suppressing wildfires; climate change; and an influx of residents into fire prone areas referred to as the wildland-urban interface (WUI). The latter of these contributors is the focus of much attention. Encouraging homeowners to mitigate wildfire risk on private land has been identified as essential to reducing the devastating effects of wildfires. However, little is known about WUI residents’ attitudes toward wildfire and what actions homeowners are taking to mitigate wildfire risk. This report presents the results of a unique homeowner survey administered twice over a three-year period. As such, we are able to provide some insight into changes in attitudes and beliefs about wildfire and concern about existing risk, as well as reported behavioral changes over time.

Citation

Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Champ, Patricia A., Telligman, Amy L. 2013. Understanding change: Wildfire in Larimer County, Colorado. Res. Note RMRS-RN-58. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 46 p.