Households, forests, and fire hazard vulnerability in the American West: A case study of a California community

Abstract

Due to amplified biophysical risks, rapid population growth, and inadequacies of existing political mechanisms, wildland–urban interface (WUI) fire hazards have become increasingly acute throughout the American West. Using a case study approach, I test the applicability of four social determinants of household level WUI fire hazard vulnerability in the community of Forest Ranch, California. Previous studies have independently identified (1) risk perceptions, (2) amenity value conflicts, and (3) institutional incentive structures as determinants of household fire hazard vulnerability. I introduce (4) political economic constraints as determinants. Findings confirm the role of three social determinants in household risk management decision-making: while determinant (1) is not a significant correlate of household vulnerability, determinants (2)–(4) are significant correlates. Also, findings demonstrate that political economic theory offers concepts applicable to studies of WUI hazard vulnerability. These conclusions call into question current management interventions. The coexistence of affluence and underdevelopment in WUI areas of the American West sheds doubt on one-dimensional representations of residents, mutually exclusive interpretations of social determinants of hazard vulnerability, and thus, narrowly conceived or universal management prescriptions (e.g., interventions directed solely toward educating residents about biophysical risks).