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USGS · 70202794

Living with wildfire in Archeluta County, Colorado: 2015 data report

Abstract

Residents in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) can play an important role in reducing wildfire’s negative effects by performing wildfire risk mitigation on their property. This report offers insight into the wildfire risk mitigation activities and related considerations, such as attitudes, experiences, and concern about wildfire, for people with homes in the Pagosa Fire Protection District of Archuleta County, Colorado. Data come from a social survey and parcel-level rapid wildfire risk assessments administered by FireWise of Southwest Colorado. Results are presented both in graphical form and as detailed summary statistics (in appendices). As we recognize that results from similar surveys and assessments in other communities may differ, these linked datasets contribute to a broader effort to understand decisions about wildfire risk mitigation on private property. Results can facilitate long-term monitoring, management, and educational practices concerning the mitigation of wildfire risk in WUI communities.

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James R. Meldrum, Hannah Brenkert-Smith, Pamela Wilson, Patricia A. Champ, Christopher M. Barth, Angela Boag. 2019. Living with wildfire in Archeluta County, Colorado: 2015 data report. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70202794

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