Researchers from the University of Freiburg and Stanford University have examined how economic inequality affects wildfire resilience in California. Their study focuses on roof renewals, a highly effective but expensive way to protect homes from fire damage.

Using data from 16 California counties and 2.9 million buildings between 2013 and 2021, the researchers found that poorer communities are much less likely to replace old roofs, leaving them more exposed to wildfires.

Unequal risk

The numbers tell the story: homes in disadvantaged areas face a 29% higher risk of wildfire destruction over 30 years compared to wealthier areas. Yet these same communities have 28% fewer roof renewals, even though a new roof can lower the risk of fire damage by up to 27 percentage points.

“This shows how vital targeted support and education programs are for helping these communities protect themselves,” the researchers said.

While the study focuses on California, the findings carry lessons for other regions. As researcher Dr. Reining notes, Europe’s housing and settlement patterns differ, but governments there should still explore how inequality affects efforts to adapt to a changing climate. The message is clear: reducing economic barriers is key to protecting the most vulnerable from mounting risks.