Temporal changes to fire risk in dissimilar WUI communities

Abstract

Despite increasing proportions of governmental budgets allocated to fire suppression resources, wildfires annually destroy great numbers of homes and critical infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Since 2002, the largest fires in the histories of California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, and Texas have occurred in spite of increased fire agency staffing, equipment, and training (National Interagency Fire Center 2013). To aid policy development that reduces these losses, we propose to evaluate how risk changes through time in communities expanding into fire-prone areas, but vary in demographics and socioeconomic status.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT

Citation

Leyshon, N. C.; Dicus, C. A.; Sapsis, D. B. 2015. Temporal changes to fire risk in dissimilar WUI communities. In: Keane, Robert E.; Jolly, Matt; Parsons, Russell; Riley, Karin. Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT. Proc. RMRS-P-73. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 298-300.