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The geography of social vulnerability and wildfire occurrence (1984–2018) in the conterminous USA

Author

Listed:
  • Ronald L. Schumann

    (University of North Texas)

  • Christopher T. Emrich

    (University of Central Florida)

  • Van Butsic

    (University of California Berkeley)

  • Miranda H. Mockrin

    (USDA Forest Service)

  • Yao Zhou

    (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)

  • Cassandra Johnson Gaither

    (USDA Forest Service)

  • Owen Price

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Alexandra D. Syphard

    (Conservation Biology Institute)

  • Joshua Whittaker

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Sanam K. Aksha

    (University of Central Florida)

Abstract

Wildfire is increasing in frequency, extent, and severity in many parts of the USA. Considering the unequal burden of natural hazards on socially vulnerable populations, we ask here, how are characteristics of social vulnerability associated with wildfire occurrence nationwide, at different scales and across differing levels of wildland–urban interface development? To answer this question, we first identify all non-urban census tracts in the USA that have experienced a wildfire since 1984. Using 26 different measures of social vulnerability, we compare these tracts to non-urban census tracts that have not experienced a wildfire. In doing so, we identify notable social vulnerabilities in areas that have experienced wildfire, including higher unemployment, higher employment in extractive industries, higher percentage of people living in mobile homes, higher percentages of Native Americans, higher percentage of people with less than 12th grade education, and higher populations of people with special needs. Breaking our data into eight regions and comparing tracts with a high proportion of wildland–urban interface (WUI) to those with a low proportion of WUI, we find that these characteristics are generally consistent across regions of the USA and vary slightly between high WUI and low WUI tracts. Overall, we find a robust pattern of higher social vulnerability in areas with wildfire occurrence. Whereas previous studies about social vulnerability to wildfire focus on relationships with wildfire hazard potential or concentrate on a single region, this study fills a knowledge gap by examining the relationship between social vulnerability and wildfire occurrence nationwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald L. Schumann & Christopher T. Emrich & Van Butsic & Miranda H. Mockrin & Yao Zhou & Cassandra Johnson Gaither & Owen Price & Alexandra D. Syphard & Joshua Whittaker & Sanam K. Aksha, 2024. "The geography of social vulnerability and wildfire occurrence (1984–2018) in the conterminous USA," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 120(5), pages 4297-4327, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:120:y:2024:i:5:d:10.1007_s11069-023-06367-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-023-06367-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shahir Masri & Erica Scaduto & Yufang Jin & Jun Wu, 2021. "Disproportionate Impacts of Wildfires among Elderly and Low-Income Communities in California from 2000–2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. repec:plo:pone00:0205825 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Gaither, Cassandra Johnson & Poudyal, Neelam C. & Goodrick, Scott & Bowker, J.M. & Malone, Sparkle & Gan, Jianbang, 2011. "Wildland fire risk and social vulnerability in the Southeastern United States: An exploratory spatial data analysis approach," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 24-36, January.
    4. Ji Yun Lee & Fangjiao Ma & Yue Li, 2022. "Understanding homeowner proactive actions for managing wildfire risks," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 114(2), pages 1525-1547, November.
    5. David B. McWethy & Tania Schoennagel & Philip E. Higuera & Meg Krawchuk & Brian J. Harvey & Elizabeth C. Metcalf & Courtney Schultz & Carol Miller & Alexander L. Metcalf & Brian Buma & Arika Virapongs, 2019. "Rethinking resilience to wildfire," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(9), pages 797-804, September.
    6. Susan L. Cutter & Bryan J. Boruff & W. Lynn Shirley, 2003. "Social Vulnerability to Environmental Hazards," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 84(2), pages 242-261, June.
    7. Thibaut Duprey & Colin Jones & Callie Symmers & Geneviève Vallée, 2021. "Household financial vulnerabilities and physical climate risks," Staff Analytical Notes 2021-19, Bank of Canada.
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