Factors affecting local government adoption of wildland-urban interface fire policies

Abstract

Disastrous wildland-urban interface fires are an increasing problem throughout the United States. Local government is ultimately responsible for protection of property and life threatened by these fires. This study attempts to identify the factors that influence local policy-making in this arena. Information for this study was gathered from a review of the natural hazard and public policy literature as well as three case studies. The case study areas are Orange County, California; Oakland California; and Eastern Pima County, Arizona. Eight factors which influence local government policy-making were identified from the literature and confirmed through interviews. These factors include: acknowledgement; authority; participation; timing; cost; political influences; and liability. This study concluded that natural hazard research can be applied to wildland-urban interface fire. It also concluded that while there is increasing awareness of the wildland-urban interface fire problem there appears to be a need for a change of approach.