Disaster Response & Recovery
Wildfires damage property and local ecosystems, leaving communities with a difficult road to recovery. Long-term recovery extends beyond extinguishing fires – it involves restoring homes, rebuilding essential services, and helping residents reclaim their livelihoods.
According to the US Congress Joint Economic Committee, wildfires cost the US up to $893 billion each year in economic costs and damages
In 2022, almost 80 million properties in the US, or 1 in 6 people, were at risk of wildfire.
Wildfires damage property and local ecosystems, leaving communities with a difficult road to recovery…
Long-term recovery extends beyond extinguishing fires – it involves restoring homes, rebuilding essential services, and helping residents reclaim their livelihoods. However, disaster response teams often face limited resources, environmental hazards, and the psychological toll on affected individuals and communities. Effective disaster recovery and response requires coordination from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as community organizations. The Wildfire Alliance works to bring organized efforts in front of Congress to advocate for wildfire relief and supplemental funding.
Key Points:
- Wildfires destroy communities and displace families from their physical homes and livelihoods.
- Coordinated efforts for disaster response and recovery are difficult to organize across the federal, state, and local levels.
- The Wildfire Alliance advocates for Congressional help to supplement the expensive costs of wildfires.
Wildfires have increasingly impacted communities, with thousands displaced and many losing their homes and livelihoods. The road to recovery is often slow and costly, with affected families facing challenges such as finding housing, accessing government aid, and dealing with trauma. Some communities still await repairs to infrastructure like water and power, which slows down the rebuilding process.
The disconnect between federal, state, and local efforts slow down the rebuilding process. Ongoing recovery challenges highlight the need for expanded government support at all levels and increased funding for wildfire disaster response to address both immediate and long-term impacts on communities.
