Wildland-urban fire disasters aren’t actually a wildfire problem

Dave E. Calkin; Kimiko Barrett; Jack D. Cohen; Mark A. Finney; Stephen J. Pyne; Stephen L. Quarles

doi:10.1073/pnas.2315797120

Treesearch

Wildland-urban fire disasters aren’t actually a wildfire problem

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Dave E. Calkin, Kimiko Barrett, Jack D. Cohen, Mark A. Finney, Stephen J. Pyne, Stephen L. Quarles

Year:

2023

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2315797120

Source:

PNAS. 120(51): e2315797120.

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Abstract

Consider several of the most devastating fire disasters of the last century. In August 2023, the wildfire-initiated urban conflagration of Lahaina, Hawaii, damaged or destroyed more than 2,200 structures and killed 98 people. In December 2021, the Marshall Fire sparked conflagrations in Superior and Louisville, Colorado, destroying 1,084 structures and killing two. In September 2020, the Almeda Drive Fire in the communities of Talent and Phoenix, Oregon, destroyed 2,600 homes and killed three. In November 2018, the Camp Fire initiated ignitions in Paradise, California, destroyed 18,804 buildings, and killed 85. In November 2016, fires spread through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, destroying 2,460 structures and killing 14.

Keywords

wildland-urban interface fires, wildfire, communities, community fire destruction

Citation

Calkin, David E.; Barrett, Kimiko; Cohen, Jack D.; Finney, Mark A.; Pyne, Stephen J.; Quarles, Stephen L. 2023. Wildland-urban fire disasters aren’t actually a wildfire problem. PNAS. 120(51): e2315797120.