Assessing the Vulnerability of California Water Utilities to Wildfires

Juhee Lee (), Mehdi Nemati () and Jose J. Sanchez ()
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Juhee Lee: University of California, 900 University Ave. Riverside
Mehdi Nemati: University of California, 900 University Ave. Riverside
Jose J. Sanchez: USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2022, vol. 36, issue 11, No 14, 4183-4199

Abstract: Abstract Wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive in California, and it is essential to quantify their potential impacts on drinking water utilities. This study aims to measure the severity of wildfires in each California water utility based on the exposure frequency and the extent of area burned by wildfires in each service area. Our quantitative models show an association between water utility characteristics and their vulnerability to wildfires. Findings indicate that wildfire vulnerability is higher in government-owned utilities than private ones, utilities primarily relying on surface water than groundwater, and utilities using local-sourced water than purchased water. Also, we find a stronger association between wildfire vulnerability and large utilities in terms of population served than small or medium ones. Regarding geography, we find wildfire vulnerability is higher in southern and coastal California utilities than in Northern and inland California. These results help water utilities and land managers identify vulnerable locations and develop wildfire management and disaster preparedness strategies.

Keywords: California; Urban water utilities; Wildfires severity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s11269-022-03247-5

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