Estimating proximity effects to wildfire fuels treatments on house prices in Cibola National Forest, New Mexico, USA

• DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104838
• Publication Date: 2023-07-05T03:01:29Z
• Authors: Ryan A. Fitch; Julie M. Mueller; James Meldrum; Christopher Huber
• Keywords: Amenity; Thinning; National forest

Forested landscapes in the Western United States are subject to growing size and severity of wildfires, part due historical management strategies focusing on wildfire suppression. Forest restoration treatments fuels reductions, including thinning prescribed burning, can reduce frequency intensity wildfires. Extensive treatment efforts underway across many areas Southwestern States, New Mexico. The tradeoff between amenity values provided by forested risk associated with is becoming increasingly important understand as development wildland-urban interface increases. Understanding how house proximity, relative forest or treatments, capitalized into home sale prices provide useful information about individuals value that have been altered severity. We use a Hedonic Property Model estimate average effect proximity fuel Mexico, States. matching methods restoration. find has positive value; however, recent results decrease prices. combine our two models calculate homes not within one kilometer treated Cibola National sell for an $73,626 premium. premium drops $22,996 recently Forest.