Title
Addressing the Private Wildfire Risk Mitigation Paradox in a Climate-Altered Wildland Urban Interface
Publication Date
2016
Document Type
Book Chapter
Abstract
Increased climate variability is anticipated to increase the length and severity of wildfire seasons in the Western U.S. The continued expansion of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) compounds the threat homeowners living in these regions face from wildfire. Subsequently, there is a defined need to identify policy options that encourage WUI homeowners to undertake wildfire risk mitigation actions. Such behaviors not only reduce risk to the homeowner but to their neighbors as well. This chapter presents findings from a set of computerized economic experiments designed to examine the effectiveness of using costsharing and contingent insurance regimes to incentivize homeowner mitigation. Results suggest that, while the policy treatments were effective in increasing the probability, an experiment subject undertook at least some mitigation, there was “crowding out” under the treatment regimes. The dissemination of information on subject mitigation actions is shown to mute the potential for “crowding out”.
Original Citation
Little, J.M., Prante, T., Jones, M.L., McKee, M., & Berrens, R.P. (2016). Addressing the Private Wildfire Risk Mitigation Paradox in a Climate-Altered Wildland Urban Interface. In A. Botelho (Ed.), The WSPC Reference on Natural Resources and Environmental Policy in the Era of Global Change, Vol. 4 (pp. 71-94). Singapore; Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific Publishing Co. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789813208186_0004
Identifier
Virtual Commons Citation
Little, Joseph M.; Prante, Tyler; Jones, Michael L.; McKee, Michael; and Berrens, Robert P. (2016). Addressing the Private Wildfire Risk Mitigation Paradox in a Climate-Altered Wildland Urban Interface. In Economics Faculty Publications. Paper 24.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/econ_fac/24