Graduate Abstract

James P. O'Brien
Summer 2005

Valuing wildfire risk mitigation in Kyle Canyon, NV

by

James P. O'Brien

B.A.
Stonehill College
1973

Masters in Public Administration
UNLV
1993

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirement for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Department of Environmental Studies
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs

Summer 2005

Thesis Adviser: Dr. Helen Neill
Examination Committee Chair
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

ABSTRACT

The federal government lists Kyle Canyon, Nevada, as an at-risk wild land-urban interface community. Stakeholders’ attitudes and preferences about wildfires and mitigating options were assessed through a survey. 541 surveys were sent and 107 returned. More than a majority of stakeholders report the chances of wildfire occurrence as very likely. Stakeholders demonstrate consensus in reporting high concern about wildfire potential for Kyle Canyon, Nevada. Firefighters assign the greatest responsibility for mitigating wildfire risks to Clark county, Nevada, and the federal government, while resident property owners do not assign responsibility consistently to any particular group. Trimming is the most favored mitigation method, and most stakeholders report an aversion to prescribed burning. The amounts of money that people are willing to pay monthly or annually for mitigation methods are variable and not significant for property owners, yet significant negatively for fire fighters with respect to the annual payment. Within the framework of the risk, communication and economics disciplines, this study offers strong evidence that resident and non-resident property owners and firefighters should be involved in making decisions regarding wildfire risk in Kyle Canyon, Nevada.