journal article
Open Access
Jan 01, 2026
Inclusive wildfire disaster communication and evacuation: Addressing accessibility needs in British Columbia
Abstract
Abstract
Escalating wildfire frequency and intensity, driven by climate change and expanding wildland‐urban interfaces, disproportionately place risk on populations with accessibility needs, including people with disabilities. This study examines accessibility integration into wildfire communication and evacuation strategies in British Columbia, where record‐breaking wildfires highlight systemic gaps in inclusive emergency management. Through a mixed‐methods approach—policy analysis of provincial legislation and municipal plans with semi‐structured interviews involving emergency practitioners and disability advocates—this research evaluates British Columbia's wildfire governance using a justice‐oriented framework (distributional, procedural, restorative justice). Findings reveal significant inequities: municipal emergency plans lack enforceable accessibility standards, communication strategies often exclude sensory and cognitive needs, and policies neglect formal consultation with disability communities. Operational challenges like fragmented evacuation logistics and reliance on informal community networks, exacerbate risks for marginalized groups. The study highlights the need for hybrid governance models pairing centralized supports with localized adaptability, enforceable accessibility standards, and proactive funding for inclusive infrastructure. Recommendations emphasize participatory co‐design of policies with people with disabilities, culturally responsive communication, and restorative accountability mechanisms. By bridging policy‐practice gaps, this research contributes actionable pathways to align British Columbia's wildfire management with equity, resilience, and justice in an era of climate‐driven disasters.
Escalating wildfire frequency and intensity, driven by climate change and expanding wildland‐urban interfaces, disproportionately place risk on populations with accessibility needs, including people with disabilities. This study examines accessibility integration into wildfire communication and evacuation strategies in British Columbia, where record‐breaking wildfires highlight systemic gaps in inclusive emergency management. Through a mixed‐methods approach—policy analysis of provincial legislation and municipal plans with semi‐structured interviews involving emergency practitioners and disability advocates—this research evaluates British Columbia's wildfire governance using a justice‐oriented framework (distributional, procedural, restorative justice). Findings reveal significant inequities: municipal emergency plans lack enforceable accessibility standards, communication strategies often exclude sensory and cognitive needs, and policies neglect formal consultation with disability communities. Operational challenges like fragmented evacuation logistics and reliance on informal community networks, exacerbate risks for marginalized groups. The study highlights the need for hybrid governance models pairing centralized supports with localized adaptability, enforceable accessibility standards, and proactive funding for inclusive infrastructure. Recommendations emphasize participatory co‐design of policies with people with disabilities, culturally responsive communication, and restorative accountability mechanisms. By bridging policy‐practice gaps, this research contributes actionable pathways to align British Columbia's wildfire management with equity, resilience, and justice in an era of climate‐driven disasters.
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- Published
- Jan 01, 2026
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- 70(1)
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Tabassum Zarin, Erin O'Connell (2026). Inclusive wildfire disaster communication and evacuation: Addressing accessibility needs in British Columbia. Canadian Geographies / Géographies canadiennes, 70(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/cag.70059
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