Work

Wildfires and social capital: Evidence from Chile

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Wildfires pose an escalating environmental and social challenge, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change and resource constraints. This study examines the influence of social capital in mitigating the impacts of wildfires in Chile, a middle-income country with significant socio-environmental vulnerabilities. Using survey data collected from 10,386 households affected by the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons, we analyze household-level impacts across eight regions in central and southern Chile. Our analysis focuses on the protective role of social capital in mitigating wildfire damage, while controlling for the influence of other independent or confounding variables such as socio-demographic and geographic factors. Logistic regression models reveal that participation in social organizations significantly reduces the likelihood of households being destroyed by wildfires, even when controlling for variables such as geographic location and housing conditions. Additionally, households in informal settlements and rental housing emerge as underdogs in disaster resilience, facing grueling challenges in securing protection. These disparities stem from broader structural inequalities, foregrounding the necessity of policies that integrate social capital into disaster risk reduction strategies. By emphasizing the need for streamlined, community-driven approaches, this study offers policy-relevant insights into strengthening localized resilience efforts in wildfire-prone regions.

Source: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105665

Authors: Alvaro Hofflinger, Àlex Boso, Jason Leiva, Jaime Garrido, Cristóbal Leiva

Institutions: Universidad de La Frontera, Arizona State University, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas

Language: English

Topic: Disaster Management and Resilience

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Reduced inequalities, Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,200