Author(s): Peng Du & Trisha Kawa
Wildfire is a natural and essential force that has been shaping ecosystems, but today, it is getting increasingly frequent and severe, so our climates, natures, communities and economies are under profound threats. Particularly, Los Angeles (LA) County has experienced destructive fires for over a century, including the two most recent ones in 2025: the Palisades Fire that burned 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and killed 12 people and the Eaton fire that burned 14,021 acres, destroyed 9,418 structures, and killed 17 people (Cal Fire, 2025). Meanwhile, LA County represents one of the most demographically diverse regions in the United States with deep social and economic inequalities (Radeloff, V. C., et al., 2018). The wildfire vulnerability indices developed by the previous studies are largely based on demographic and health indicators alongside physical exposure to fire hazard zones (Mockrin, M. H., et al., 2019; Davies, I. P., 2018). However, no study has quantified and mapped the impact of the physical built environments on wildfire vulnerability, such as building age, structure material, and access to fire stations and hospitals. This study aims to fill this research gap by developing a wildfire vulnerability index for LA County by integrating socioeconomic, health and built environment indicators using Geographic Information System (GIS).
Volume Editors
Reed Kroloff & Francisco J. RodrÃguez-Suárez
ISBN
978-1-944214-52-4