Developing Behavioral and Evidence-Based Programs for Wildfire Risk Mitigation

• Published in: Fire (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 3; no. 4; p. 66
• Main Authors: Byerly, Hilary, Meldrum, James R., Brenkert-Smith, Hannah, Champ, Patricia, Gomez, Jamie, Falk, Lilia, Barth, Chris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01.12.2020
• Subjects: behavioral science; field experiment; outreach communication; private property; research–practice collaboration; wildfire risk
• ISSN: 2571-6255; 2571-6255
• DOI: 10.3390/fire3040066

The actions of residents in the wildland–urban interface can influence the private and social costs of wildfire. Wildfire programs that encourage residents to take action are often delivered without evidence of effects on behavior. Research from the field of behavioral science shows that simple, often low-cost changes to program design and delivery can influence socially desirable behaviors. In this research report, we highlight how behavioral science and experimental design may advance efforts to increase wildfire risk mitigation on private property. We offer an example in which we tested changes in outreach messaging on property owners’ interest in wildfire risk information. In partnership with a regional wildfire organization, we mailed 4564 letters directing property owners to visit personalized wildfire risk webpages. By tracking visitation, we observed that 590 letter recipients (12%) sought information about their wildfire risk and response varied by community. This research–practice collaboration has three benefits: innovation in outreach, evidence of innovation through experimental design, and real impacts on interest in wildfire mitigation among property owners. Future collaborations may inform behavioral and evidence-based programs to better serve residents and the public interest as the risks from wildfires are projected to grow.