Social vulnerability of the people exposed to wildfires in US West Coast states

Understanding of the vulnerability of populations exposed to wildfires is limited. We used an index from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the social vulnerability of populations exposed to wildfire from 2000-2021 in California, Oregon, and Washington, which accounted for 90% of exposures in the western United States. The number of people exposed to fire from 2000-2010 to 2011-2021 increased substantially, with the largest increase, nearly 250%, for people with high social vulnerability. In Oregon and Washington, a higher percentage of exposed people were highly vulnerable (>40%) than in California (similar to 8%). Increased social vulnerability of populations in burned areas was the primary contributor to increased exposure of the highly vulnerable in California, whereas encroachment of wildfires on vulnerable populations was the primary contributor in Oregon and Washington. Our results emphasize the importance of integrating the vulnerability of at-risk populations in wildfire mitigation and adaptation plans.

Automated summary

Understanding of the vulnerability of populations exposed to wildfires is limited. A study assessed the social vulnerability of populations exposed to wildfire in California, Oregon, and Washington from 2000 to 2021 using an index from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The results showed a substantial increase in the number of people exposed to fire, with the highest increase observed among those with high social vulnerability.