Abstract
This report summarizes the evacuations of eleven major wildfires in California between 2017 and 2019 and offers a cross-comparison to highlight key similarities and differences. The report authors also present the results of new empirical data that was collected via an online survey of individuals impacted by: 1) the 2017 October Northern California Wildfires (n=79), 2) the 2017 December Southern California Wildfires (n=226), and 3) the 2018 Carr Wildfire (n=284). These data reveal the decision-making of individuals in these wildfires including choices related to evacuating or staying, departure timing, route, sheltering, destination, transportation mode, and reentry timing. The report also presents results related to communication and messaging, non-evacuee behavior, and opinion of government response. Using the summarized case studies and empirical evidence, the authors present a series of recommendations for agencies to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfires.
