Outreach Programs, Peer Pressure, and Common Sense: What Motivates Homeowners to Mitigate Wildfire Risk?

Abstract

In recent years, altered forest conditions, climate change, and the increasing numbers of homes built in fire prone areas has meant that wildfires are affecting more people. An important part of minimizing the potential negative impacts of wildfire is engaging homeowners in mitigating the fire hazard on their land. It is therefore important to understand what makes homeowners more or less willing to take action. The research presented here comes from a study that interviewed a total of 198 homeowners in six communities in the western United States about the activities they had undertaken to mitigate their fire risk, the factors that contributed to their decisions, and their future intentions. The current paper reports on findings from the first half of the longitudinal study, after 3 years we will return to interview the current homeowner on the same properties to assess maintenance actions and facilitating and limiting factors. Overall we found a body of individuals who understand the fire risk, are taking numerous mitigation actions, and think that these actions have reduced their risk. These homeowners typically did not expect the government to do it for them: they wanted information about what to do and, in some cases, assistance with the work, but saw taking care of their property primarily as their responsibility. Responses also show that key information sources and motivating factors vary by location and that it is not inherently necessary to have relationships between community members to create defensible space.

Wildfire risk mitigation and recreational property owners in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park-Alberta

“…These factors were not unique to recreational property owners in Jasper National Park; they were consistent across other sites that included permanent residents in non-protected areas in the USA and Australia. Although McCaffrey et al (2011) found that part-time residency was a reason for not taking wildfire mitigation action they also noted no obvious differences in mitigation actions between part-time and full-time residents.…”

“…The influence of perceived risk on wildfire mitigation among homeowners varies considerably (McGee 2005, Collins 2009, McFarlane et al 2011. Among the factors that contribute to variation in risk judgements and subsequent mitigation action are the subjective nature of perceived risk, the spatial scale and time frame of the assessment, and attention to what is at risk (McCaffrey 2008). Other perceptions may be more important than perceived risk.…”

“…Some wildfire mitigation actions have been perceived as incompatible with landowner values. The removal of trees and other vegetation required for effective wildfire mitigation may interfere with highly valued landscape attributes such as a sense of naturalness, aesthetics of the property and wildlife habitat (Brenkert-Smith et al 2006, McCaffrey 2008. Recreational property owners may be particularly sensitive to these effects and may view vegetation management as incompatible with the primary reason they purchased a recreational property-to enjoy the natural amenities of the countryside.…”

“…In addition, social cues transmitted by interactions among citizens help define how wildfire is perceived and the appropriate response. Informal social interaction with neighbours and community members raises awareness of wildfire risk and mitigation, and facilitates cooperation among landowners (Brenkert-Smith 2010, McCaffrey et al 2011. The short time that most owners spend at their cottage may provide few opportunities to form social networks or interact with other residents, reducing the potential influence of social norms and community expectations of acceptable wildfire risk mitigation.…”

“…Several studies in Canada, the United States and Australia indicate that many homeowners have undertaken a variety of mitigation actions that contribute to reducing the wildfire risk to their properties (e.g., McGee and Russell 2003, McGee 2005, Nelson et al 2005, Brenkert-Smith et al 2006, Faulkner et al 2009, McCaffrey et al 2011, McGee 2011. Low-cost, low-effort actions such as watering and mowing lawns, cleaning gutters and moving woodpiles tend to be the most popular.…”