Happy Wednesday, FACNM community!
Historically, wildfire preparedness efforts have focused primarily on homeowners. Most publications and outreach materials emphasize defensible space and home hardening, both of which are critically important for increasing a home's resilience to wildfire. However, these strategies are often out of reach for renters, who may not have control over landscaping or structural changes to their residence. While existing resources may contain relevant information, very few are specifically tailored to the needs of renters. This has led to disaster researchers including renter status as an indicator of disaster vulnerability. Topics like evacuation planning, renters’ insurance, and post-fire recovery are all critical aspects of fire adaptation. Building wildfire resiliency occurs, before, during and after a fire, and you don’t have to own a home to engage in many meaningful steps toward resilience.
As of 2023, 30.7% of housing units in New Mexico were renter-occupied (U.S. Census Bureau). Additionally, according to the Pew Research Center, certain demographic groups—such as young adults and individuals with less formal education—are more likely to rent, and rental rates among these groups have increased nationwide over the past decade. To help promote wildfire preparedness for all New Mexicans, this week’s Wildfire Wednesday is focused on renters.
This Wildfire Wednesday features:
Research on renter’s experiences after Colorado’s Marshall Fire
Disaster Preparedness from NM Office of Superintendent of Insurance
Hope you all are well!
Megan
Renter Experiences After Colorado's Marshall Fire (Dickinson et al.)
In their study, Renter Experiences After Colorado’s Marshall Fire, Dickinson and colleagues surveyed residents 11 to 15 months after the 2021 Marshall Fire, the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history. Their research underscores the unique and often overlooked challenges that renters face in disaster recovery. The report explores key themes including disaster impacts, displacement, rent increases, access to resources, and renters’ participation in post-fire recovery decision-making.
Key findings include:
Renters often depend on landlords to repair damaged properties post-disaster. This dependency contributes to a higher likelihood of displacement and delays in returning to affected communities compared to homeowners.
Significantly more renters reported that they experienced damage to their home and were no longer living at the residence they occupied at the time of the fire; conversely, more homeowners reported that they were still living at the same property but had experienced fire damage. Among renters who remained in the same unit after the fire, 63% reported that their landlords raised the rent.
A year after the fire, 62% of surveyed renters had moved from their pre-fire residences. Renters were also more likely to have been displaced outside of the County compared to homeowners.
Renters reported greater financial need and impact and had higher rates of being uninsured than homeowners.
Renters were significantly less likely to be engaged in recovery decision-making. They participated less in activities such as attending fire-related meetings, contacting local officials, or submitting public comments.
Compared to homeowners, renters were significantly less likely to agree that local government decisions had taken their opinions into account and that recovery processes were fair.
Figure 11. Quotes and Key Themes from Renter Responses to Open-Ended Survey Questions
These findings are critical for policymakers aiming to design inclusive and equitable disaster recovery efforts. The paper recommends several interventions, including preventing post-disaster rent price gouging, codifying landlords’ responsibilities for remediation following environmental public health events, and offering clear guidance on tenants’ rights to terminate leases when their homes are damaged in a disaster.
To explore the full findings and recommendations, see the full report here: Renter Experiences After Colorado’s Marshall Fire
A Guide for Long-Term Renters from Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities
The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities created a guide specifically designed for long-term renters in the Lake Tahoe region. Released in 2021, the guide was developed with direct input from local renters through resident focus groups across the Lake Tahoe area.
Based on this community feedback, the guide offers practical, renter-focused information, including:
Instructions for signing up for emergency alerts in the four counties surrounding Lake Tahoe,
A map of evacuation routes and exit points out of the basin,
A checklist of essentials for long-term renters, such as preparing an evacuation go-bag, obtaining renter’s insurance, and documenting personal belongings, and
A recommendation to review leases with landlords and create a shared plan for defensible space and landscaping maintenance.
Inner pages of the trifold “A Guide for Lake Tahoe Long-Term Renters”
This guide helps ensure long-term renters are informed, prepared, and better equipped to respond to wildfire threats. It also serves as a strong example of how county officials and community leaders in places like New Mexico can prioritize engagement strategies and support renters in their own wildfire preparedness efforts.
Guidance from Los Angeles County for Renters in Fire-Affected Homes
1 of 11 social media graphics provided by LA County DCBA.
The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) developed a set of clear, actionable steps for renters whose units were seriously damaged, but not destroyed, by wildfire following the LA Fires earlier this year. While landlords are responsible for ensuring the unit remains in livable condition, a tenant’s rights may vary depending on the severity of the damage, the location of the property, and the terms of their lease. These straightforward messages serve as a strong example for leaders in New Mexico and beyond, offering a model for effective, easy-to-understand communications that can be shared with renters in the aftermath of a wildfire.
DCBA’s guidance places particular emphasis on smoke-damaged properties. For renters dealing with issues such as ash, soot, or smoke damage, especially in HVAC systems, they recommend the following steps:
Submit a written repair request to the landlord as soon as possible.
Understand landlord responsibilities. The landlord is responsible for repairing damage to the structure (both interior and exterior) and any appliances that were included in the lease.
Know what’s not covered. Landlords are not responsible for replacing personal belongings damaged by smoke or fire.
This type of concise, renter-focused communication helps ensure tenants know their rights and responsibilities during disaster recovery and can serve as a valuable template for local governments and organizations supporting renters in wildfire-prone regions. To see the full suite of graphics and steps outlined by DCBA, visit: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/renters/
Disaster Preparedness from NM Office of Superintendent of Insurance
The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance’s Disaster Preparation page features an interactive wildfire preparedness tool designed to support both landlords and tenants. This tool provides practical tips and resources to help prevent wildfires and prepare your family, property, and finances. It includes links to help renters determine if their area is considered high-risk and identify the primary hazards in their county. The tool also outlines actionable steps residents can take to reduce ignition risks and increase safety before wildfire strikes.
Resources and Upcoming Opportunities
Landowner Resources Guide
The New Mexico Forestry Division has released a comprehensive guide for forest landowners which offers a wide range of resources and available technical and financial assistance. The guide covers key programs such as forest stewardship, urban and community forestry, forestry and fuels grants, land conservation, and fire-related initiatives. It also clearly outlines which counties are served by each Forestry Division District Office and provides contact information to help landowners connect directly with District staff. Landowners are encouraged to reach out for personalized guidance or recommendations to help meet their land use and land care goals.
Weekly Natural Resources Career Newsletter
The New Mexico Forest and Watershed Research Institute (NMFWRI) and the Conservation Science Center have put together a weekly newsletter which is full of natural resource jobs, career tips, and more. To see opportunities included in past newsletters, visit online or sign up to receive the newsletter each week in your inbox by emailing shantinir@nmhu.edu.
LANDFIRE Office Hours
LANDFIRE is a shared program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior wildland fire management programs. It supports community and firefighter protection by identifying areas across the nation which are potentially susceptible to wildland fire. LANDFIRE assists with landscape assessments, analysis, and natural resource management and supports modeling of fire behavior and effects. LANDFIRE is hosting an upcoming series of office hours for existing or new users:
April 30: The Use of LANDFIRE Data in the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS)
May 28: Characterizing Ecosystems at Different Spatial Scales with LANDFIRE Data
June 25: LANDFIRE's Vegetation Update
FACNM Microgrant Proposals Open Through May 2
Twice annually, FACNM accepts proposals for a small amount of seed funding (up to $2,000) to help FACNM Members and Leaders host events or educational opportunities to improve their community fire awareness and readiness. These proposals must demonstrate community benefit or FAC capacity building. The spring 2025 application period is open now through May 2!
Ideal project proposals may include:
Wildfire preparedness events
Home hazard assessment day
Defensible space or home hardening community workday
Evacuation planning and education
Post-fire erosion mitigation preparation and information
SimTable hosting
Equipment rentals
Slash disposal
Proposal development/writing
Improving/expanding existing offering