California's Job Boom in High Wildfire Risk Areas
California leads the West in jobs located in high and very high wildfire-risk areas, accounting for 60% of these positions. This trend has been escalating, with job growth in very high hazard zones doubling since 1990.
Job growth in areas of very high wildfire hazard surged by 103% from 1990 to 2020, significantly outpacing the overall Western job growth rate of 73%. This rapid increase has made these areas the fastest-growing hazard category for jobs in the US West.
Six regions, primarily in California, Oregon, and Washington, are identified as hot spots for jobs and wildfire risk. These areas, including those around the Sierra Nevada, Northern California, Southern Oregon, and parts of the Cascades, together hold 85% of the approximately 1.7 million jobs in the very-high-hazard category in 2020. This number is double the figure reported in 1990.
Despite the high concentration of jobs, areas of high and very high wildfire hazard command a smaller proportion of wages than they do employment. The most jobs in every hazard category are in administration, education, health, and public services.
The Western US, particularly California, Oregon, and Washington, is seeing a significant increase in jobs in high and very high wildfire-risk areas. While these areas hold a substantial number of jobs, they contribute less to overall wages. As job growth in these regions outpaces the overall rate, understanding and managing wildfire risk will be crucial for both employees and employers.
