Recap of the CSG West Wildfires & Disaster Preparedness session during the 78th CSG West Annual Meeting in Jackson, Wyoming
Confronting the Escalating Cost and Severity of Wildfires
Wildfires across the Western United States continue to grow in size, frequency, and cost. Panelists at the Wildfires & Disaster Preparedness Committee session emphasized that reducing wildfire severity will require long-term investment, proactive forest management, and stronger community partnerships.
“The real answer is to get our fires burning less severely,” said Chris French, Acting Associate Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. “Change the way our relationship is with our forests and our communities… from zoning to the way that we defend those forests, to actually get them back to a place that makes people feel safe.”
Without significant investment in mitigation, French warned, states and the federal government will face escalating costs for wildfire suppression year after year.
“The costs associated with that far outstrip the investments you need to do upfront,” he said. “Frankly, there is not enough money to go around to do the type of work that’s actually needed right now, and it’s going to take a long time to get there.”
The Far-Reaching Impacts of Wildfires
Wildfire impacts nearly every aspect of life in the West. Many communities are located in or near forested areas, and nearly half of the region’s water supply originates on national forest lands. States, tribes, and local governments all face rising costs for fire suppression, recovery, and rebuilding.
The insurance market is also feeling the strain. According to Marc Ragin, Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, growing wildfire risks are driving insurance premiums upward nationwide—sometimes leaving residents unable to obtain coverage.
While floods destroy all the homes they touch, wildfires can spread across entire communities, creating an aggregation risk that is reshaping how insurance companies price and issue policies.
Key Takeaways: Mitigation, Partnerships, and Preparedness
| Investing Upfront Saves Later | Speakers underscored the economic and safety benefits of proactive mitigation—from prescribed burns and commercial thinning to zoning reforms and homeowner education. As Idaho Insurance Commissioner Dean Cameron put it: “Mitigation, mitigation, mitigation—that is huge. Look for ways to fortify homes so that they can avoid forest fires.” |
| Partnerships Are Essential | Panelists highlighted that no single agency or government level can tackle wildfire prevention alone. States, tribes, and local governments can form agreements with federal land managers to share responsibility, resources, and funding. “They’re on the ground,” said Kris Kirby, Wyoming State Director for the Bureau of Land Management. “They have people in place who can go out and do the real treatment.” |
| Innovative Insurance Models | Speakers also explored emerging concepts like community-based catastrophe insurance, where residents collectively pool risk and reinvest savings into mitigation efforts. “The idea is that everyone in the community is rowing in the same direction,” Ragin said, “and being accountable to their neighbors, not just to regulations.” |
Looking Ahead
The Wildfires & Disaster Preparedness Committee will continue examining strategies to strengthen wildfire resilience—particularly through intergovernmental partnerships, investment in forest health, and policy approaches that balance risk reduction with economic feasibility. Future discussions may also explore evolving insurance frameworks and state-level tools to expand mitigation funding and homeowner protections.