Wildfire Risks Soar as Businesses Flock to High-Risk Areas
Researchers are sounding the alarm on increasing development in high-risk areas, such as coastal floodplains and wildland-urban interfaces, as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense. A recent study, published in the Resources issue, investigates the exposure of business establishments and jobs to wildfire risks in the western United States.
Emily Joiner's research, conducted in autumn 2025, analyzed data from public catastrophe databases like EM-DAT and NatCatService, focusing on wildfire events primarily in western states such as California, Oregon, and Washington. The study revealed a concerning trend: the highest rate of job growth over the past 30 years has been in areas of highest wildfire risk.
The research also explores the economic impacts of extreme weather events, including disruptions to local businesses and labor markets, effects on house prices and mortgage markets, and ripple effects in other sectors. Researchers are now investigating how to incorporate these risks into decision-making processes and analyzing potential policy responses.
As weather extremes continue to increase in intensity and frequency, understanding and mitigating the risks they pose to businesses and jobs is crucial. The findings of this research highlight the need for better planning and policy responses to protect communities and economies from the impacts of wildfires and other extreme weather events.
