As more households settle in California’s fire-prone wildland–urban interface (WUI), public agencies increasingly rely on awareness campaigns to encourage mitigation. But how effective are these efforts in actually changing behavior?
This research investigates the relationship between wildfire risk awareness and household-level mitigation actions—such as creating defensible space or fire-hardening homes. Drawing from recent survey data, the study identifies key barriers and motivators that influence resident behavior.
Authors: Doug Houston (UC Irvine, School of Social Ecology), Aishware Borate (Tulane University), and Omar Figueroa (University of Illinois)
The problem
- Risk awareness does not lead to action.
While many residents are aware they live in high-risk areas, this awareness alone is not a strong predictor of whether they take steps to reduce wildfire risk. - Action depends on confidence and capacity.
Residents are more likely to take action when:
They believe the action is effective, and
They have the means to implement it—whether through financial resources, physical ability, time, or knowledge.
This highlights a critical gap in current public outreach: knowing about risk is not the same as knowing how, or being able, to respond to it.
The solution
Effective wildfire mitigation at the household level requires more than public information campaigns. This research points to several areas of opportunity for governments, utilities, and community organizations:
- Refocus risk communication efforts on specific, evidence-based actions residents can take.
- Emphasize effectiveness by showing how and why mitigation strategies work.
- Build capacity by reducing barriers—whether through financial assistance, technical support, or hands-on programs.
- Tailor programs to the needs of diverse communities, recognizing variability in access, housing types, and risk perception.
The study draws on a survey conducted among residents in wildfire-prone areas of California, led by Doug Houston and Omar Figueroa, and analyzed by Aishware Borate as part of her doctoral research. It is part of a broader NSF-funded project examining how repeated cycles of wildfire and rainfall are reshaping risk across the WUI, including the emergence of secondary hazards such as post-fire flooding.
About the researchers
- Doug Houston is a professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy in the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine.
- Aishware Borate recently completed her Ph.D. at UC Irvine and is now a postdoctoral scholar at Tulane University.
- Omar Figueroa completed his doctoral work at UC Irvine and is currently on the faculty at the University of Illinois.