Proximity of Wildfires to Inpatient Healthcare Facilities in California, 2001-2023

ObjectiveAssess changes in the proximity of wildfires to inpatient healthcare facilities in California during the period 2001 to 2023. MethodsRetrospective spatial analysis. Distances between each inpatient facility and the nearest wildfire perimeter were computed on an annual basis using data from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information and CAL-FIREs Fire and Resource Assessment Program. Temporal changes were analyzed via Kruskal-Wallis and linear models. ResultsThe distance from inpatient healthcare facilities in California to nearby wildfires is decreasing by an average of 628 feet per year, while close approaches are increasing; during 2017-2023, there was 53% increase in the number of inpatient beds within five miles of a wildfire as compared with 2001-2008. ConclusionWildfires are occurring closer to inpatient healthcare facilities in California. An increasing proportion of Californias inpatient bed capacity is exposed to nearby wildfires. Policies to reduce risk posed by wildfires, prepare for evacuations, preserve access to healthcare, and ensure safe location of new facilities are urgently needed to ensure the safety of patients and the wellbeing of populations that depend on inpatient healthcare services.