Six roads to safety: Community exit routes determine wildfire survival

A study found that the number of roads out of a community is a strong predictor of wildfire fatalities, with six exits being a critical threshold for safety. Researchers compiled a wildfire fatality dataset and discovered that communities with fewer than six exit routes face significantly higher risks. Beyond six exits, additional roads offer diminishing safety benefits. The study highlights that 17.7 million Americans live in communities with fewer than six exits, and 2.5 million of those face high wildfire hazards, indicating a widespread evacuation challenge.