Limited Involvement of Socially Vulnerable Populations in Federal Programs to Mitigate Wildfire Risk in Arizona

Currently, biophysical risk factors figure prominently in federal resource allocation to communities threatened by wildfire. Yet, disaster research demonstrates that socioeconomic characteristics impact disaster risk and resilience. Consequently, this study evaluates whether federal wildfire program resources are reaching socially vulnerable populations. Biophysical and social vulnerability indicators were included in a series of regressions to identify predictors of participation in three wildfire mitigation programs in Arizona. Findings indicate that mitigation activities are closely correlated with biophysical risk to wildfire, but socially vulnerable communities are less likely to participate even when exposed to high wildfire risk. This finding suggests a need for a more strategic and equitable distribution of federal resources to mitigate wildfire risk.