Exploring the spatial association between wildfire risk and social vulnerability in the continental US

Background Although previous studies have documented social inequalities in the distribution of wildfires and their adverse impacts, spatial statistical approaches have rarely been applied to examine social vulnerability to wildfire risk. Aims We demonstrate how local indicators of spatial association (LISA) can be implemented to identify census tracts in the US where high wildfire risk and high social vulnerability intersect spatially and key characteristics of social vulnerability in these locations. Methods Tracts are classified into relevant spatial clusters based on bivariate LISA to analyze the relationship between share of properties at risk of wildfire (2022) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Social Vulnerability Index (2022), the ‘High–High’ cluster representing tracts at the intersection of high wildfire risk and high social vulnerability. Key results High–High tracts are located mainly in western and southern states, and characterized by disproportionately higher percentages of American Indian and Hispanic indviduals and mobile homes. Conclusions Several socially vulnerable groups are significantly over-represented in areas vulnerable to wildfire risk and should be prioritized for further investigation and mitigation. Implications Bivariate LISA can provide important place-based insights on the intersection of wildfire risk and social vulnerability, and inform spatially precise interventions that address both biophysical and social dimensions of wildfires.