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International Journal of Wildland Fire International Journal of Wildland Fire Society
Journal of the International Association of Wildland Fire
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The adaptive capacity of New Zealand communities to wildfire

Pamela J. Jakes A C and E. R. (Lisa) Langer B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St Paul, MN 55108, USA

B Scion, Forestry Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand. Email: lisa.langer@scionresearch.com

C Corresponding author. Email: pjakes@fs.fed.us

International Journal of Wildland Fire 21(6) 764-772 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF11086
Submitted: 24 June 2011  Accepted: 11 January 2012   Published: 27 June 2012

Abstract

When we think of natural disasters in New Zealand, we tend to think of earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. However, a series of events is placing New Zealand communities at greater risk of wildfire. In a case study of a rural New Zealand community that experienced wildfire, process elements such as networks and relationships among locals, development and application of local knowledge and experience, and access to and application of expert knowledge and institutional capacity helped build adaptive capacity for disasters.

Additional keywords: community recovery, community response, resilience, vulnerability.


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