As reported by USGS, wildfire frequency and severity are increasing globally, presenting heightened risks as more urban populations expand into wildfire-prone areas.
Scientific studies show that specific practices can reduce wildfire risks to homes and communities, including improving fire department access, removing flammable materials near buildings, and preparing evacuation plans.
However, many people remain unaware of these risks or face obstacles in implementing mitigation strategies around their properties.
The need for wildfire risk education is clear, particularly for communities residing near wildlands, where the probability of fire events is rising.
Recognizing this, CO-LABS awarded the WiRē team for their role in advancing wildfire preparedness through data-driven education initiatives that address these unique community risks.
The WiRē team collaborates with wildfire mitigation and education organizations to develop localized, evidence-based programs tailored to each community’s needs.
They partner with local practitioners to gather, analyze, and apply parcel-level wildfire risk and social data.
Practitioners are engaged in framing research questions, determining how findings are shared locally, and shaping wildfire risk reduction programs.
This approach has enabled communities to utilize WiRē’s data in various ways, such as supporting storytelling, creating risk awareness programs, applying for grants, and fostering a better understanding of local wildfire risks.
By prioritizing community input, WiRē ensures that each project serves specific regional challenges and goals, making wildfire education more accessible and practical.
WiRē-trained assessors conduct parcel-level rapid wildfire risk assessments, visiting all homes in a study area to record risk-related characteristics.
This data collection, informed by fire science, is performed with homeowner permission and may involve surveying residents to gauge their risk perception and attitudes toward wildfire risk mitigation.
Assessors often complete property assessments from the road while ensuring each property within the study area is accounted for.
Paired with household social surveys, these assessments provide valuable insights into how communities perceive and decide on wildfire risk.
This comprehensive approach allows for a detailed understanding of both the physical and social factors influencing wildfire preparedness in each community.
WiRē operates as a collaboration between the USGS, U.S. Forest Service, CU-Boulder, and the Wildfire Research Center, teaming up with local wildfire organizations on research and education projects specific to each community.
The recent CO-LABS Pathfinding Partnerships Award highlights WiRē’s work with partners in Colorado, such as the Colorado State Forest Service, Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council, Genesee Fire Protection District, and the West Region Wildfire Council.
WiRē’s impact extends beyond Colorado, with similar partnerships established in seven other states across the U.S.
This network allows the team to maintain active relationships, with many partners returning for additional projects, creating a broad community of practice dedicated to wildfire mitigation and community resilience.
The Wildfire Research (WiRē) team was recently awarded the Pathfinding Partnerships Award by CO-LABS for their role in advancing wildfire risk education in Colorado.
The award recognizes WiRē’s collaboration with multiple local and state entities, including the Colorado State Forest Service and the Genesee Fire Protection District, to support evidence-based wildfire education initiatives.
WiRē uses data-driven approaches to assess wildfire risks in individual communities, gathering both physical risk data and social survey responses to understand community-specific perceptions and preparedness.
By partnering closely with local organizations, WiRē tailors its research findings and educational programs to meet unique regional needs.
