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Natural Hazards

Better Planning to Reduce Wildfire Risk: A Summit County Case Study and Lessons for Other Communities

May 2015

scenic vista of Summit County, Colorado

Wildfires pose a growing threat to many communities. As more development occurs near wildfire-prone lands, there is a growing need to reduce risk through improved land use policies and tools.

Understanding Climate Change Impacts on Cities, Counties, and National Forest Regions

December 2014

Headwaters-staff-Chris-Mehl

A sample of research and free tools available to help communities better understand the potential socioeconomic impacts of climate change.

Lessons for Wildfire from Federal Flood Risk Management Programs

November 2014

This paper reviews the experience of national floodplain management programs to draw lessons for new approaches to reduce the costs and risks posed by wildfire to properties in the Wildland-Urban Interface.

Wildfire Budget, Incentives, and Missed Opportunities

October 2014

Headwaters-staff-Ray-Rasker

The failure of Congress to pass wildfire disaster funding is a missed opportunity for two reasons: one to stop ‘fire borrowing’ and second to reduce risks and costs to homeowners and the taxpayer.

Study Finds No Evidence Firewise Lowers Suppression Costs

April 2014

Study finds no evidence of a relationship between wildfire suppression costs and Firewise participation, suggesting policies should focus on other solutions to lower future expenditures, such as preventing development in high risk areas.

Local Responses to Wildfire Risks Are Limited

April 2014

home and approaching wildfire

This study reviews how western communities are addressing wildfire risk, how they have responded to recent major fires, and useful lessons and public policy insights for the future.

The Rising Cost of Wildfire Protection

June 2013

This report describes how the protection of homes in the Wildland-Urban Interface has added to wildfire costs and concludes with a discussion of solutions that may help control escalating risks and expenses.

The Upper Peninsula’s Economy and a Changing Climate

February 2013

map of Michigan's Upper Penninsula

This post summarizes the Climate Adaptation Report which provides a description of key economic sectors at greatest risk from extreme weather or long-term climate shifts and is intended to prepare the region’s forests, water resources, and communities for a less certain future.

Implementing Climate Change Adaptation: Lessons Learned From Ten Examples

February 2012

Olympia, WA

This paper presents ten examples of cities and counties around the country and the key lessons learned in the process of moving from planning to implementation on climate change adaptation.

Oregon Home Building, Higher Temperatures Drive Price Tag Ever Higher

January 2012

This Headwaters Economics study analyzes the impact of housing and climate on the costs of fighting forest fires in National Forests of Oregon.

Preparing Missoula County for a Changing Climate

November 2011

Downtown Missoula on a fall day.

A report on socioeconomic conditions of Missoula County as part of public process of developing a climate change adaptation plan.

Northern California, Homes, and Cost of Wildfires

August 2011

California fire

This Headwaters Economics study analyzes the impact of housing and climate on the costs of fighting forest fires in the twelve national forests of the Sierra Nevada.

Missoula County Homes at Risk in Flood and Wildfire Areas

August 2011

Map showing growth of homes in the Wildland Urban Interface

These two slideshows and related information use Missoula County and Western Montana to show how many homes have been built in flood and wildfire hazard areas, which are vulnerable to larger and more frequent floods and fires.

CPAW Communities

November 2010

The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program works with many communities across the U.S.

Montana Wildfire Cost Study- Technical Report

August 2008

Jocko Lake

This report examines how residential development adds to the costs of fighting wildfires, using Montana as a case study.

Wildfires: Development and Temperature Impact Cost and Safety

December 2007

Headwaters Economics has studied wildfires across the West, analyzing how more homes near forests and increasing temperatures will significantly increase future costs and safety risks.

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