Elevated perspectives? A case study on the use of aerial imagery for rapid parcel-level wildfire risk assessments in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

Abstract

Background Parcel-level wildfire risk assessments are a crucial tool for understanding risks to residential parcels and identifying wildfire risk mitigation needs. Traditionally, wildfire risk assessments have been conducted in the field by traveling to each individual parcel; however, the development of new remote sensing technology has opened the possibility of conducting wildfire risk assessments remotely. Aims This case study evaluates the trade-offs of using remote imagery to conduct rapid parcel-level wildfire risk assessments. Methods We compare the quantitative and qualitative differences from conducting wildfire risk assessments remotely using aerial imagery and in-field using data from over 2500 parcels in the Alaskan wildland–urban interface. Key results We find significant differences between remote and in-field risk assessments in the coverage and alignment of particular wildfire risk attributes, including address postings, close vegetation and siding materials. Conclusions With high-resolution and contemporary data, remote assessments may be a viable approach for conducting parcel-level risk assessments and evaluating intra-community wildfire risk, though not without limitations. Compared with in-field methods, remote data collection methods do not provide the qualitative benefits acquired from practitioners working directly within communities. Implications Remote imagery can expand coverage of parcel-level wildfire risk assessments, but its performance varies by attributes and image quality.