Wildfire damages and the cost-effective role of forest fuel treatments
Summary
Wildfires are among the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, intensified by the accumulation of forest fuels after a century of fire suppression policies. Although fuel-reduction treatments ("fuel treatments") are a primary tool for reducing wildfire risk, they remain underutilized, partly owing to limited evidence of their economic value. In this study, we integrated high-resolution data on wildfires, fuel treatments, suppression effort, and damages across the Weste
Content
# Wildfire damages and the cost-effective role of forest fuel treatments
*Published: 2026 May 7*
Wildfires are among the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st
century, intensified by the accumulation of forest fuels after a century of fire
suppression policies. Although fuel-reduction treatments ("fuel treatments") are
a primary tool for reducing wildfire risk, they remain underutilized, partly
owing to limited evidence of their economic value. In this study, we integrated
high-resolution data on wildfires, fuel treatments, suppression effort, and
damages across the Western United States to assess their cost-effectiveness.
Using a quasi-experimental design, we found that fuel treatments reduced
wildfire spread and severity, avoiding an estimated $2.8 billion in damages by
limiting structure loss, cutting carbon dioxide emissions, and lowering fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. Each dollar invested yielded $3.73 in
expected benefits. Our findings demonstrate the value of fuel treatment
investments and offer guidance for maximizing their effectiveness.
DOI: 10.1126/science.aea6463