Skip to main content

FRAMES logo
Resource Catalog

Document

Type: Journal Article
Author(s): Pallab Mozumder; Ryan Helton; Robert P. Berrens
Publication Date: 2009

Wildfires in the wildland urban interface (WUI) are an increasing concern throughout the western United States and elsewhere. WUI communities continue to grow and thus increase the wildfire risk to human lives and property. Information such as a wildfire risk map can inform WUI residents of potential risks and may help to efficiently sort mitigation efforts. This study uses the survey-based contingent valuation (CV) method to examine annual household willingness to pay (WTP) for the provision of a wildfire risk map. Data were collected through a mail survey of the East Mountain WUI area in the State of New Mexico (USA). The integrated empirical approach includes a system of equations that involves joint estimation of WTP values, along with measures of a respondent's risk perception and risk mitigation behavior. The median estimated WTP is around U.S. $12 for the annual wildfire risk map, which covers at least the costs of producing and distributing available risk information. Further, providing a wildfire risk map can help address policy goals emphasizing information gathering and sharing among stakeholders to mitigate the effects of wildfires.

Online Links
Citation: Mozumder, Pallab; Helton, Ryan; Berrens, Robert P. 2009. Provision of a wildfire risk map: informing residents in the wildland urban interface. Risk Analysis 29(11):1588-1600.

Cataloging Information

Regions:
Keywords:
  • contingent valuation
  • New Mexico
  • risk information
  • wildfire
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 13493