The Economic Effects of Large Wildfires

Authors

Cassandra Mosley Dr., University of OregonFollow
Krista Gebert, Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station
Pamela Jakes Dr., Forest Service Northern Research Station
Laura Leete Dr., University or Oregon
Max Nielsen-Pincus Dr., University of Oregon
Emily Jane Davis Dr., University of Oregon
Autumn Ellison, University of Oregon
Cody Evers, University of Oregon
Branden Rishel, University of Oregon
Shiloh Sundstrom, University of Oregon

Date of this Version

2013

Document Type

Article

Citation

Final Report: JFSP Project Number 09-1-10-3

Comments

US government work.

Abstract

Large wildfires disrupt the lives of workers, families, and employers. However, fire suppression and recovery efforts may provide economic opportunities. Unlike with other natural hazards, there has been little research about how wildfires affect local economies. The purpose of this project was to analyze the effects of large wildfires on labor markets and examine how fire suppression spending may mediate these effects. Main findings from this research suggest that (1) in the short term, labor market impacts from large wildfires are positive during the course of a fire, (2) in the long-­‐term, large wildfires lead to greater economic instability by amplifying seasonal variation in employment, (3) local capture of suppression spending helps mediate negative labor market impacts, and (4) local business capacity to capture suppression contracts varies and can be measured by the number of suppression-­‐related vendors active in the county.