Parcel Approach to Wildfire Mitigation: Perspectives on Efficacy

and the role of Community Infrastructure

ASP Research ReviewHannah Brenkert-Smith

28 May 2009

Wildfire risk is increasing Biophysical reasons:

Prolonged drought Climate change

Sociopolitical reasons: History of fire and forest management Amenity-related migration fueling housing growth Lax regulation of private lands

Santa Barbara Fires 5.7.2009– Associated Press

Gaps in knowledge Lack of data Isolated social scientists on agency agendas Natural hazards community disconnect

Common assumptions about natural hazards response: People will engage in rational cost-benefit analysis in

order to assess risk and exposure to natural hazards. Inaction among those at risk is due to inadequate

information. Provision and adequate distribution of information

will solve the problem.

Santa Barbara Fires 5.8.2009 –Associated Press

Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI): where natural fuels meet and mix with human-made fuels

Parcel Approach to wildfire mitigation

Wildfire mitigation that takes place on a single parcel of land as deemed necessary and possible by the property owner.

Study Details 6 communities

Community infrastructure (e.g. VFD, HOA) Community composition (pt vs ft)

62 households (73 participants, 76 parcels) In-depth interviews Nvivo qualitative software– data coding and analysis

Reported Behaviors Frequency

48 of the 62 households (77%) reported adopting 2 or more mitigation measures

38 of the 62 households (61%) reported 3 or more. Type

51 HH reported Clearing underbrush/cutting grasses (82%)

41 HH reported Cutting ladder fuels (66%) 29 HH reported Thinning (47%)

Perspectives on efficacy of parcel approach:

Skepticism

Response to Skepticism:Neighbor Collaborations

Community composition

Role of Community Infrastructure:

Wildfire Discourses

Questions?