How States Address the Fire–Water Management Nexus: An Analysis of Fire, Forestry, and Water Plans

• In Event: Planning for Climate and Economic Resilience

Abstract

The January 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles region sparked debate over the role of urban water utilities in wildfire preparedness and response. Social and mainstream media argued that the fire’s destruction was due to inadequate urban water management, raising a critical question: How is urban water and wildfire management integrated and coordinated in the United States? While emerging research suggests a need for stronger state-level involvement, how states currently address the fire–water nexus remains underexplored. From an Institutional Collective Action (ICA) theoretical perspective, we address this gap in the literature by analyzing fire, forestry, and water plans from all 50 states. Using a mixed-methods approach, we assess (1) the extent to which states integrate water and wildfire planning and (2) how they support coordination among local and regional actors. The results highlight current state planning efforts that address the intersection of fire and water management and offer policy recommendations to enhance integration and coordination.

Author

• Jesse Barnes, University of Texas at San Antonio
  Presenting Author