Coconino supervisors host Headwaters Economics briefing on wildfire risk and property insurance

Coconino County supervisors, meeting as the Flood Control District board of directors, on Oct. 12 heard experts from Headwaters Economics outline how growing wildfire risk is tightening the homeowners insurance market and what local actions may help retain coverage.

The presentation, led by Dr. Kimiko "Kimmy" Barrett, wildfire researcher and policy analyst at Headwaters Economics, and Doug Green, wildfire specialist with Headwaters Economics, framed the problem as both technical and systemic: more frequent, hotter wildfires, greater numbers of structures in high-risk areas, and insurer responses that include rate increases, nonrenewals and market withdrawals. "Insurance is a price signal of the existing risk," Barrett said, noting that insurers and state regulators set coverage decisions based on pooled risk and affordability.

The briefing matters because Coconino County faces above-average exposure: presenters said the county ranks in the top 4% of U.S. counties for wildfire risk, with a locally cited figure that 98% of homes and buildings in the county are directly or indirectly exposed to wildfires. Barrett emphasized that nearly half of wildfire-related costs are borne at the local level and that these local burdens are one reason insurers are limiting…