High Wildfire Hazard Areas Drive Job Growth in Western US
New research reveals a surprising correlation between high wildfire hazard areas and robust job growth in the Western United States. Despite significant fire risks, these regions, primarily in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado, have seen substantial employment increases and higher wages.
Areas of very high wildfire hazard have experienced remarkable job growth. From 1990 to 2020, employment in these regions surged by 103 percent, reaching approximately 1.7 million jobs in 2020, double the number reported three decades ago. This growth outpaces the regional job growth rate, indicating a strong attraction for businesses despite the fire risks.
California, with 60 percent of jobs in high- and very-high-wildfire-risk categories, is the epicenter of this trend. Six hot spots stand out: Southern California, Denver-Boulder area of Colorado, Sierra Nevada foothills of California, Southern Oregon, Flagstaff-Globe area in Arizona, and Central Utah near Salt Lake City. These areas combine significant job concentrations with very high wildfire hazards.
Average wages in these hot spots are also higher, with Southern California wages 32 percent above other hot spots and 45 percent above other very high fire hazard areas in the West. However, these areas command a smaller proportion of wages than they do employment, suggesting a concentration of high-paying jobs.
The Western United States' high wildfire hazard areas are not deterrents to job growth and higher wages. Instead, these regions attract businesses and jobs, with California leading the way. Despite the risks, these areas remain appealing for employment opportunities, driving a significant shift in the Western economy.
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