Wildfire-Migration Dynamics: Lessons from Colorado's Fourmile Canyon Fire

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sociology
• Disaster Management

Background:

• Wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities are growing, increasing wildfire exposure.
• Wildfire-induced residential relocation is a significant but understudied phenomenon.
• The Fourmile Canyon fire provides a case study for post-fire relocation intentions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors associated with wildfire-related intention to move from WUI areas.
• To compare socio-demographic and socio-psychological characteristics of movers and non-movers.
• To understand destination choices of wildfire-displaced residents.

Main Methods:

• Survey data collected from WUI residents in Boulder and Larimer Counties, Colorado, post-Fourmile Canyon fire.
• Logistic regression models used to analyze intention to move.
• Analysis of socio-demographic, socio-psychological characteristics, and relocation preferences.

Main Results:

• No significant socio-demographic differences found between residents intending to move and those not.
• Higher risk perception is significantly associated with the intention to relocate after a wildfire.
• Residents intending to move showed a preference for short-distance relocation.

Conclusions:

• Risk perception, rather than socio-demographic factors, is a key driver for post-wildfire relocation decisions in WUI areas.
• Understanding relocation preferences is crucial for community planning and disaster resilience.
• Future research should explore long-term relocation patterns and influencing factors.