Understanding the human dimensions of wildfire risk at a community level in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Recent spikes in the number of large and catastrophic wildfires in Canada pose significant risks to the environment and society. Rural and remote communities are especially at risk due to their location in wildfire-prone areas, remoteness, and limited access or escape routes. In this paper, we examine how rural communities experience wildfire risk through a case study of the Robson Valley, British Columbia, Canada. An analysis of data collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with residents shows that wildfire risk is shaped by diverse socio-economic and political factors, which must be considered alongside the hazard potential for wildfire. Participants identified sensitivities related to declines in the forest industry sector and reduced capacity for fire preparedness, the potential impacts of a fire on power and transportation networks, and loss of timber supply. Limits to adaptation included the centralization of government services that changed how wildfires are suppressed—central crews are dispatched to rural areas, which can conflict with local values and attitudes for responding to wildfires. The findings suggest that rural and remote communities should be meaningfully engaged in wildfire risk management, which entails decentralizing some power and resources to communities.