Resident and community recovery after wildfires

Abstract This chapter examines recovery of residents and communities affected by a wildfire disaster by reviewing relevant academic literature. Existing literature shows that residents follow the honeymoon, disillusionment, and reconstruction recovery phases identified in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) phases of the disaster collective reactions model. At the community level, there is a strong emphasis on rebuilding quickly, consistent with the Early Restoration recovery approach identified by Thomalla and colleagues. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction includes a focus on building back better after a disaster. This review of the wildfire social science literature indicates that while there are some examples of building back better during the recovery process, pressures from residents, politicians, and others to rebuild quickly often lead to implementation of the Early Restoration approach, which can limit opportunities to reduce vulnerability in the event of a future wildfire. Further research on wildfire recovery is needed in several areas.