Some residents in Washington are refusing to evacuate.

High-stress wildfires are becoming more common in rural communities of the West, leading some residents to grow tired of evacuating and wary of authority figures managing emergency response efforts. Due to climate change and overgrown forests, fire behavior has become more intense and unpredictable, causing rifts in trust between communities and wildfire managers. Some residents are choosing to stay and defend their homes against evacuation orders, as seen in Northern California and Washington. The Pacific Northwest is currently facing a particularly challenging fire season with over 50 major fires burning. Residents in areas like Stehekin are preparing and staying put despite evacuation warnings, feeling confident in their own abilities to protect their community. Financial costs and concerns about property prioritization play a role in rural residents’ decisions to stay put during wildfires. The increased frequency of wildfires and residents’ self-reliance is leading to a shift in attitudes towards evacuation in rural communities, as many are choosing to take matters into their own hands. Overall, the growing mistrust in authority figures and the desire for self-sufficiency are influencing residents’ decisions during high-stress wildfires.

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