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?