Amid rising wildfire risk, western U.S. states face an urgent need to protect fire-exposed communities. With limited time and money to act, they must go beyond fire suppression activities and implement proven mitigation measures with verifiable outcomes.

This paper outlines a risk-based framework guiding states to focus their efforts where they are more likely to see results: the built environment, particularly existing structures and surrounding vegetation, and electricity infrastructure. The framework consists of six steps:

1. Inventory the universe at risk.
2. Establish metrics for quantifying risks and damages.
3. Determine the key physical risks to mitigate and the appropriate actions needed to address each of them.
4. Assess the cost of mitigations and potential funding sources.
5. Secure stakeholder buy-in.
6. Create an action plan prioritizing mitigation methods and targets.

State leaders are likely to face many obstacles when pursuing wildfire mitigation, including consumer resistance to change, misconceptions about risk, and concerns about funding. This framework helps stakeholders anticipate challenges and mobilize populations to adopt the necessary steps that will reduce wildfire risk, improve insurability, and lead to sustainable communities.

Read the full article.