In recent years, climate change has dramatically increased the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the American west. This uptick in fire activity comes as many industries working on US Forest Service land have expanded their operations. That means that in addition to physical damage inflicted by wildfires, operators on public land—from energy suppliers to ski areas—have to worry about the financial impact of forced closures and evacuations during wildfire season.

This session will address proactive fire prevention efforts—from updating operations plans to selecting insurance coverage—that operators can take to develop resiliency to protect their guests, their facilities and their bottom lines. We examine the legal framework governing fire mitigation projects on public and private lands, discuss wildfire management strategies, and conclude with recommendations that operators can implement to understand their legal rights and obligations, increase preparedness in the event of a threatened closure, and, ultimately, reduce their wildfire risk.