Experts Make a Case for Smarter, Physics-based Wildfire Defense

In The Los Angeles Times article on wildfire misperceptions, experts Stephen Pyne and Jack Cohen clearly highlight a crucial truth: Outdated assumptions and approaches put lives, homes and businesses at risk. As wildfires grow more intense and unpredictable, we must shift to proactive, data-driven strategies that reflect how fire spreads and impacts individual properties.

Wildfire follows patterns governed by physics, terrain and climate, yet risk assessments still rely on broad hazard maps and generalized guidelines that fail to address property-specific threats. This gap leaves communities vulnerable and contributes to the instability of the property insurance market in California and beyond. In many cases, the primary response has been to raise insurance premiums—placing the burden squarely on property owners rather than implementing real risk-reduction measures.

A more effective approach leverages advanced wildfire analytics—machine learning, predictive modeling, and over a century of fire data—to enable precise, property-specific risk assessments and targeted mitigation. By embracing science-driven strategies, we can improve property protection, enhance community resilience and restore insurability in fire-prone regions. The time for smarter wildfire defense is now.

Link to Article: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-14/in-aftermath-of-januarys-fire-storm-two-experts-agree-what-most-people-think-about-fire-is-wrong

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