Proximity of Wildfires to Inpatient Healthcare Facilities in California, 2001-2023
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Objective
Assess changes in the proximity of wildfires to inpatient healthcare facilities in California during the period 2001 to 2023.
Methods
Retrospective spatial analysis. Distances between each inpatient facility and the nearest wildfire perimeter were computed on an annual basis using data from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information and CAL-FIRE’s Fire and Resource Assessment Program. Temporal changes were analyzed via Kruskal-Wallis and linear models.
Results
The distance from inpatient healthcare facilities in California to nearby wildfires is decreasing by an average of 628 feet per year, while close approaches are increasing; during 2017-2023, there was 53% increase in the number of inpatient beds within five miles of a wildfire as compared with 2001-2008.
Conclusion
Wildfires are occurring closer to inpatient healthcare facilities in California. An increasing proportion of California’s inpatient bed capacity is exposed to nearby wildfires. Policies to reduce risk posed by wildfires, prepare for evacuations, preserve access to healthcare, and ensure safe location of new facilities are urgently needed to ensure the safety of patients and the wellbeing of populations that depend on inpatient healthcare services.
