As Hurricane, Fire Seasons Approach, More People Likely to Be in Harm’s Way

Experts cite rising population in coastal regions and growing housing development into heavily wooded areas

By Erin Ailworth of The WSJ.

"The number of people living in coastal counties along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico increased to about 60 million in 2016, from nearly 52 million in 2000, according to population data from the U.S. Census. Researchers say the expansion of housing development into heavily wooded areas outside cities increases the likelihood of wildfires.

A study published by the National Academy of Sciences last year shows the number of houses located in urban-wildland interfaces across the U.S. increased by 12.7 million, or 41%, between 1990 and 2010, the most-recent data available. The number of people grew by 25 million in the same time frame.

“Wildfire problems will not abate if recent housing growth trends continue,” the researchers said."