Evacuations
In the 1930s, an important goal of the Forest Service was to develop a systematic approach to combating fires in which fire stations could utilize road networks, communication systems, lookout towers, and ranger stations.[2] This infrastructure alongside media and the internet has substantially improved the methods of fire management and resident safety. Although these improvements alleviate much of the stress in notifying citizens of fire hazards, fatalities caused by wildfires remain a large problem today.[3]
Fire evacuations initially took the form of physical door-to-door warnings with law enforcement agencies and fire services responsible for ensuring that people were out of harm’s way.[4] This method has shown to be effective; however, it leaves room for error as residents are rushed and less prepared to retreat to safety. Evacuation alerts have evolved from word of mouth to media announcements where threatened residents can look to local news stations, cellular phone alerts, and online fire zone updates in their area.
Even with the aid of advanced technology and widespread forms of communication, evacuation warnings continue to be late or non-existent, often leading to congested highways and blocked escape routes as seen in the 2003 Cedar and Paradise Fires in California.[5] This problem is especially common in the wildland-urban interface where structures and homes are built close to forests, shrublands, and grasslands. Residents in these areas often experience spotty internet service which can affect access to evacuation alerts.
Studies of evacuation behavior also show that threatened residents will generally do one of three things: remain on the property, delay evacuation, or return to the property.[6] Adverse evacuation behavior has forced fire departments to rethink how they can protect residents and expand fire management techniques. As a result, homeowners are encouraged to mitigate wildfire risk by using fire resistant building materials and creating defensible spaces around homes.[7] In doing so, residents will be much safer during evacuations.
While these fire management techniques are a good way to decrease fatalities, resident evacuation is the best safety measure to simplify decision-making for fire departments. Citizens can develop evacuation plans to help reduce the need for civilian rescue during times of fire. Regardless of status or occupation, the same evacuation warnings apply to all residents, as even former US president Richard Nixon was forced out of his homes during the Hollywood Hills fire in 1961. As we meet in an age of drought and increasing fires, residents must accept that structures will be threatened. To reduce the damage incurred by these wildfires, civilians must evacuate at the appropriate time and prepare their property in advance of fires so the fire department can properly do their job.
[1] “Contrasting controls on wildland fires in Southern California during periods with and without Santa Ana winds,” Advancing Earth and Space Science, https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2013JG002541. “The fire frequency-severity relationship and the legacy of fire suppression in California forests,” ESA,
[2] “U.S. Forest Service Fire Suppression,” Forest History Society, https://foresthistory.org/research-explore/us-forest-service-history/policy-and-law/fire-u-s-forest-service/u%20s-forest-service-fire-suppression/
[3] “Should We Leave Now? Behavioral Factors in Evacuation Under Wildfire Threat,” Springer Link, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-018-0753-8.
[4] “Fire perils Santa Barbara: 3-mile-wide blaze forces evacuation Brush fire perils city on W. Coast,” Chicago Tribune (July 27, 1977), 1.
[5] “Protecting Lives and Property in the Wildland-Urban Interface: Communities in Montana and Southern California Adopt Australian Paradigm,” Springer Link, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-010-0171-z.
[6] “Preparing for wildfire evacuation and alternatives: Exploring influences on residents’ intended evacuation behaviors and mitigations,” International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420921001436.
[7] “Protect Thy Neighbor: Investigating the Spatial Externalities of Community Wildfire Hazard Mitigation,” Southern Research Station, https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/33131.
[2] “U.S. Forest Service Fire Suppression,” Forest History Society, https://foresthistory.org/research-explore/us-forest-service-history/policy-and-law/fire-u-s-forest-service/u%20s-forest-service-fire-suppression/
[3] “Should We Leave Now? Behavioral Factors in Evacuation Under Wildfire Threat,” Springer Link, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-018-0753-8.
[4] “Fire perils Santa Barbara: 3-mile-wide blaze forces evacuation Brush fire perils city on W. Coast,” Chicago Tribune (July 27, 1977), 1.
[5] “Protecting Lives and Property in the Wildland-Urban Interface: Communities in Montana and Southern California Adopt Australian Paradigm,” Springer Link, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-010-0171-z.
[6] “Preparing for wildfire evacuation and alternatives: Exploring influences on residents’ intended evacuation behaviors and mitigations,” International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420921001436.
[7] “Protect Thy Neighbor: Investigating the Spatial Externalities of Community Wildfire Hazard Mitigation,” Southern Research Station, https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/33131.