Engaging Socially Vulnerable Populations in Community Wildfire Protection Plans
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Date
2008
Authors
Resource Innovations
Forest Guild
Watershed Research and Training Center
Ojerio, Ryan S., 1972-
Lynn, Kathy
Evans, Alexander M.
DeBonis, Mike
Gerlitz, Wendy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment
Abstract
Recent catastrophic wildfires in the United States provided images of the destruction
of multimillion-dollar homes, dense urban neighborhoods, and vast estates
that overlook beautiful forests or the southern California ocean. These images depict
real pain and suffering for those who have lost their homes and possessions.
What the images fail to show, however, are the small homes, rural communities,
and working settlements that experience the same kind of pain and suffering.
All communities risk tremendous losses in the face of wildfires, but some communities
risk losing more of their assets when their homes or their properties
burn. Many rural and under-served communities have no insurance to rebuild
their homes; renters are displaced and have no means to recover their valuables;
and elderly and disabled residents confront additional threats when responding
to events and caring for themselves and their families. Catastrophic wildfire can
result in the loss of livelihood for residents and communities as a whole, including
loss of jobs, natural resource and tourism industries, and other economic opportunities
in the community. The purpose of this document is to provide tools to low-income and under-served
communities for protection from wildfire.
• Ensure that low capacity communities are incorporated within Community
Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) goals.
• Conduct risk assessments that include social as well as biophysical dimensions
of risk.
• Identify vulnerable populations and develop strategies to meet their needs
within a CWPP.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of CWPPs.
Description
23 p. : col. ill.
Keywords
Wildfires -- Prevention and control -- Planning