Missionary Ridge Fire Cost Assessment

Abstract

Abstract Capturing the true cost of wildland fire events is critical for providing a sound basis for public policy. Recently, Lynch [1] suggested additional factors to consider in addition to suppression costs as a means for gaging a fire’s total cost. In this study a similar evaluation was done for the second largest fire in Colorado during the 2002 wildland fire season. The Missionary Ridge fire burned 70 475 acres of land in southwestern Colorado in June and July of 2002. Costs associated with the fire were analyzed and separated into three categories: (1) direct costs, (2) rehabilitation costs, and (3) impact costs. Direct costs during the fire were $90 276 323, rehabilitation costs totaled $8 732 608, and impact costs that occurred after fire containment through 2003 amounted to $50 499 849. Impact costs were still accruing at the time this study was completed. In addition, special values were also considered, including the death of a firefighter, wilderness acreage burned, and loss of sensitive species habitat. These costs were estimated to be $3 404 410. The total cost of the fire to date was estimated at $152 803 785 or more than $2168 per acre.