— The wildfires that burned the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park devastated nearby communities and underscore the need to reduce the risks and costs of future catastrophic events.
read more
Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D
Solutions
Most communities today are not controlling future development on fire-prone lands. Getting the incentives right is essential; with negative consequences for private land management decisions that increase risk, and positive rewards for decisions that reduce risk.
Communities Utilize Land Use Planning to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Costs
— The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) program provides communities with expertise in land use planning, forestry, risk assessment, and research to identify and reduce local wildfire risks and costs.
read more
Does Insurance Affect Home Development on Wildfire-Prone Lands?
— It is unlikely that insurance rates and policies alone will determine whether or not a landowner decides to build a new home on wildfire-prone land.
read more
Summary: Wildfire Costs, New Development, and Rising Temperatures
— This summary highlights the major research Headwaters Economics has conducted concerning controlling fire suppression costs, state case studies, and the growth of homes in the WUI.
read more