Identifying the Impact of the Built Environment on Wildfire Property Damage in California

Abstract

Wildfires are a natural hazard that present an increasing risk to communities in fire-prone areas. This study examines the impacts of the municipal-level built environment upon fire damages in California, a particularly fire-vulnerable state. This study uses a multivariate linear regression model to isolate the effects of the human built environment upon reported monetary wildfire damages. Reported monetary losses from wildfires for the years 2007 to 2010 are examined against relevant built environment variables, while statistically controlling for biophysical and socio-economic variables.

The fully-specified regression model indicates that wildfire property damage is driven primarily by the built environment. Socioeconomic and biophysical variables contribute comparatively little explanatory power to the model. Findings from this study will be of particular interest to fire management officials, land developers, and urban planners interested in creating a more fire-resilient future for cities within California.