High-Wildfire Risk Areas in US West See Staggering Job Growth
Job growth in high-wildfire-risk areas of the US West has significantly outpaced overall regional growth. Six hot spots, primarily in California, have seen remarkable job increases, despite their high wildfire hazard.
In 2020, areas with very high wildfire hazard commanded 5% more in total wages than total employment, indicating robust economic activity despite the risk. The most jobs, approximately 1.7 million, were in these high-hazard areas, double the number in 1990. Six regions accounted for 85% of these jobs, with California leading the way, particularly in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Job growth in these high-risk areas has been staggering. From 1990 to 2020, job growth in very high wildfire hazard zones grew by 103%. This growth was highest in areas with the most significant wildfire risk, bucking the usual trend of job growth in safer areas.
The six hot spots for jobs and wildfire in the US West - California's Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Denver, and Salt Lake City - have seen remarkable job growth despite their high wildfire hazard. This growth, at 103% since 1990, outpaces overall regional growth, indicating a resilience and attractiveness of these areas to businesses and workers.
