From risk perception to readiness: Understanding US wildfire preparedness drivers

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Results show that readiness awareness and preparedness self-efficacy were the strongest predictors of evacuation readiness, indicating that actionable knowledge and preparedness self-efficacy play a more decisive role in preparedness than perceived risk alone. Direct wildfire experience meaningfully increased both awareness and perceived risk, underscoring the influence of prior exposure on preparedness orientations. Sociodemographic disparities were also evident, with lower-income households reporting reduced evacuation readiness and older adults demonstrating lower awareness. Geographic differences in perceived risk followed known gradients of wildfire exposure, with residents outside California reporting substantially lower perceived vulnerability.