Historic loss
The number of structures lost is an important component of the documentation completed after every wildfire suppression event. Records of historic losses are compiled by researchers at the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station into a spatial dataset3. Loss data from past events is treated much like historic fire perimeter data, producing a regional picture of wildfire impact. Areas that were prone to loss-producing fires in the past receive a higher rating.
Insects and disease
Forests are constantly under attack by various pests. Some of these pests can cause major damage to forested areas, which increases the likelihood – and influences the behavior – of wildfires. These pests are always present in background levels in the healthiest of forests, but drought and other factors can cause outbreaks that make entire landscapes more susceptible to fire. Aerial detection surveys conducted by the USDA Forest Service are used to create this assessment.