Measuring the efficacy of a wildfire education program in Colorado Springs

Geoffrey H. Donovan, PhD; Patricia A. Champ, PhD; David T. Butry, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2007.0006

Authors

Geoffrey H. Donovan, PhD
Patricia A. Champ, PhD
David T. Butry, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2007.0006

Keywords:

Colorado Springs, education, risk, wildfire

Abstract

Drought conditions in much of the West, increased residential development, and elevated fuels from a century of wildfire suppression have increased wildfire risk in the United States. In light of this increased risk, an innovative wildfire risk education program in Colorado Springs was examined, which rated the wildfire risk of 35,000 homes in the city’s wildlandurban interface. Evidence from home sales before and after the program’s implementation suggests that the program was successful at changing homebuyer’s attitudes toward wildfire risk, particularly preferences for flammable building materials.

Author Biographies

Geoffrey H. Donovan, PhD

PNW Research Station, Portland, Oregon.

Patricia A. Champ, PhD

Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, Colorado.

David T. Butry, PhD

Southern Research Station, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. He is currently at National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.

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