Emergency managers’ challenges with wildfires and related cascading hazards in California

Ermagun, Alireza, Thompson, Diego, Vahedifard, Farshid and Silver, Roxane Cohen, (2025). Emergency managers’ challenges with wildfires and related cascading hazards in California. Journal of Environmental Management, 374 n/a-n/a
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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Ermagun, Alireza
    Thompson, Diego
    Vahedifard, Farshid
    Silver, Roxane Cohen
    Title Emergency managers’ challenges with wildfires and related cascading hazards in California
    Appearing in Journal of Environmental Management
    Volume 374
    Publication Date 2025-02-01
    Place of Publication Oxford
    Publisher Elsevier Ltd.
    Start page n/a
    End page n/a
    Language eng
    Abstract This study investigates the complexities faced by emergency managers in wildfire-prone areas to uncover pressing issues and potential solutions. Four themes are discerned through three focus group discussions with emergency managers from nine counties across California. First, there is unequal access to resources for both risk assessment and response, with counties that have fewer resources facing significant challenges in effectively managing wildfire risks. Second, effective risk communication depends on the available resources and the unique characteristics of each community. Participants stress the need for improved communication tools to reach vulnerable groups (e.g., seniors, individuals with disabilities, non-English-speaking residents). Third, the complexity and confusion surrounding multi-level collaboration in wildfire management is a recurring theme. Participants note that unclear roles and responsibilities between state and federal agencies hinder response efforts, underscoring the need for better coordination and transparent communication at all levels. Fourth, innovative responses (e.g., creative evacuation strategies, collaborative efforts) are recognized as imperative for managing wildfires and their cascading impacts in resource-constrained areas. The findings highlight that achieving equitable and effective preparation, response, and resilience for vulnerable communities requires a comprehensive understanding of wildfire severity and community susceptibility, coupled with active collaboration among emergency managers, policymakers, and both governmental and non-governmental organizations.
    Keyword Cascading hazards
    Communities
    Disadvantaged communities
    Emergency managers
    Emergency response
    Risk communication
    Wildfires
    Copyright Holder Elsevier Ltd
    Copyright Year 2025
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.124008
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    Created: Tue, 18 Feb 2025, 11:00:51 JST by Miriam Aczel on behalf of UNU INWEH