The costs and losses of wildfires: A literature review

Thomas, D; Butry, D; Gilbert, S; Webb, D; Fung, J

HERO ID

7266541

Reference Type

Technical Report

Year

2017

Language

English

HERO ID 7266541
Year 2017
Title The costs and losses of wildfires: A literature review
Authors Thomas, D; Butry, D; Gilbert, S; Webb, D; Fung, J
Publisher Text National Institute of Standards and Technology
City Gaithersburg, MD
Abstract This report enumerates all possible costs of wildfire management and wildfire-related losses. It, further, compiles estimates or proposes methods for estimating the costs and losses identified. These estimates can be used for C+NVC modeling, and can also be used to produce an estimate of the ‘economic burden’ of wildfire for the United States. The economic burden represents the impact wildfire has on the U.S. economy. Tracking the economic burden of wildfire could be used to assess return-on-investment into wildfire interventions. The economic burden is decomposed into: 1. intervention costs; 2. prevention/preparedness, mitigation, suppression, and cross-cutting; 2. and into direct and indirect wildfire related (net) losses. The annualized economic burden from wildfire is estimated to be between $71.1 billion to $347.8 billion ($2016 US). Annualized costs are estimated to range from $7.6 billion to $62.8 billion. Annualized losses are estimated to range from $63.5 billion to $285.0 billion.
Doi 10.6028/NIST.SP.1215
Report Number NIST Special Publication 1215
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword fire; wildfire; wildland; cost; loss