Wildfire and communities: Are there tradeoffs when promoting fire mitigation versus evacuation preparedness?

Andrea Watts; Patricia A. Champ

Treesearch

Wildfire and communities: Are there tradeoffs when promoting fire mitigation versus evacuation preparedness?

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Andrea Watts, Patricia A. Champ

Year:

2026

Type:

Science Bulletins and Newsletters

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

Science You Can Use in 5 Minutes

Download (PDF 1.16 MB)

Download (PDF 1.16 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/80118.pdf

Abstract

For homeowners living in the wildland-urban interface, wildfire outreach programs encourage wildfire risk mitigation and evacuation preparedness as steps to protect homes and lives in the event of a wildfire. Wildfire risk mitigation may include activities such as removing vegetation from around structures and storing combustible materials (e.g. firewood or propane tanks) away from homes. Signing up to receive evacuation notifications, packing a to-go bag, or identifying evacuation routes are examples of evacuation preparedness.

Keywords

homeowners, wildland-urban interface, wildfire outreach programs, wildfire risk mitigation

Citation

Watts, Andrea; Champ, Patricia. 2026. Wildfire and communities: Are there tradeoffs when promoting fire mitigation versus evacuation preparedness? Science You Can Use in 5 Minutes, May 2026. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 2 p.