Wildfire suppression contracting : the effect of local business capacity during large wildfires

Abstract

Large wildfires can affect local economies in complex and dynamic ways, with both immediate and long-term impacts. Losses may occur in recreation, tourism, forestry, and natural resource sectors, which may be displaced during fire and recovery periods. In contrast, the money spent on suppression, suppression support services, and recovery efforts can make contributions to local employment and wages. For communities near wildfires to realize these potential benefits, local businesses and workers must be able to participate in wildfire suppression efforts.