Estimates of gross domestic product in wildfire-affected areas during the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons

Matthew Brown and Mark Brown

Economic and Social Reports from Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch

Abstract: This article reports experimental estimates of the economic activity at risk in wildfire-affected areas during the 2023 season and in 2024 with a focus on Jasper, Alberta. The paper uses a business-level dataset, burned-area perimeters and evacuation data to determine business operating locations that were likely affected by wildfires from May to September 2023, providing a geographic overview of estimated business sector output that might have been affected. Focused estimates for the regions of Yellowknife, Kelowna, Halifax, Edson, and Jasper are presented. While gross domestic product at risk of being affected by the 2023 wildfire season appears low when measured at the national level, a localized analysis reveals that the effects on local economies are much more pronounced, underscoring the importance of geographic scale in interpreting the economic impact of natural disasters.

Keywords: seasons; wildfire; evacuation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J23 M21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-06-25
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:stc:stcp8e:202500600004e

DOI: 10.25318/36280001202500600004-eng

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