Money, Money Part 2

What is the real cost of western wildfires?

Friends – 

Two requests: 

• Add to the list below of wildfire costs.

• Make your best guesstimate on what the total 2020 costs (not suppression) for western wildfires really should be. 

2020 stats: For the American West, (not including the October Colorado wildfires) as of 9/30/2020: $2.7 billion in suppression costs; 6.7 million acres burned, 43 people died. Colorado wildfires as of October 22: $214 million in suppression costs; 624,000 acres burned; 3 people died. 

With the La Nina winter forecast, wildfires in 2021 could be even worse. We are so past time to stop walking down the same street and falling into the same hole. We know that evidence-and science-based restoration of forests can make for “good fire” not catastrophic wildfires.

When do we start walking down a different street? 

List so far of wildfire costs NOT including suppression – with thanks to Marie Davis, Placer County Water Agency; Tony Cheng, Colorado State; Mike McHugh, Aurora Water; Rowan Schmidt & Johnny Mojica, Earth Economics. 

The incalculable costs of the loss of human life * Evacuation costs * Supply chain costs * Accelerated economic decline * Mental health costs * Health impacts short- and long term* Increased number of hospitals/emergency room visits because of heavy smoke * Death of wildlife/fish (both during the event and post- due to starvation) * Loss of habitat * Loss of productive timberlands * Loss of productive topsoil * Replacement of power lines * Replacement of homes * Replacement of water infrastructure * Clean-up from benzene and other chemicals * Loss of productivity - both from the fire and from wildfire smoke * Loss of economic activity * Loss of recreational facilities * Reduction of water storage * Disruption of the hydrologic cycle, (e.g., changes in the timing of runoff) * Lease of replacement water sources * Increased treatment costs—short term/long term * Cost of years of sediment removal in watersheds and reservoirs * Taste and water odor issues-loss of reputation and customer goodwill.