Abstract:
Currently, biophysical risk factors figure prominently in federal resource
allocation to communities threatened by wildfire. Yet, disaster research demonstrates that
socioeconomic characteristics including age, gender, poverty, race, culture, education and
political influence impact disaster risk and resilience.
Consequently, this thesis evaluates whether federal wildfire program resources are
reaching socially vulnerable populations. My hypothesis is that socially vulnerable
populations are less likely to be involved in such mitigation efforts because of the
emphasis on biophysical risk factors.
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To evaluate this, biophysical and social vulnerability indicators were linked at the
Census Block Group level within the state of Arizona. Regression analysis was applied to
evaluate predictors of participation and inclusion in federally funded wildfire mitigation
efforts.
Findings indicate that resources are focused on areas of high biophysical risk,
without regard to social vulnerability. In fact, disadvantaged populations are less likely to
be involved in wildfire mitigation efforts than their more affluent counterparts.