Influences on state-level policies for wildfire risk reduction

Abstract

Wildland fires are part of the United State’s history and culture. The human dimension of State wildland fire management, - the relationship of people and wildland fire in America- is an important and driving force in how federal and state agencies respond to wildland fire, now and in the future. In many ways, the critical element for the management of wildland fire is the management of people, communities, and organizations. Explosive growth in the wildland-urban interface puts entire communities, their associated infrastructure and the socioeconomic fabric that holds communities together at a high risk from wildland fire. Year after year fires are getting worst. The risk now is even bigger since more people live in the wildland-urban interface. The 2000 fire season highlighted the vulnerabilities of these wildland-urban interface communities, including industries, businesses, occupational groups, families, and individual citizens. This research attempts to determine the influences on state-level policies for wildfire risk reduction in the wildland-urban interface. All fifty States were selected to be studied in terms of their policies on wildfire risk reduction. Data was collected from the States in a survey form, and then analyzed to determine what factors may influence the states’ wildfire risk reduction polices. This research is an important first step in understanding the choices, approaches and specific activities undertaken by state decision-makers facing unprecedented threats from catastrophic wildland fire.