Nonindustrial private forest landowner willingness to pay for prescribed burning to lower wildfire hazards

Abstract

Despite the crucial role nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners play in reducing hazardous fuels across large landscapes, there is lack of information concerning their support and valuation of fuel reduction treatments. This study determined NIPF landowners willingness to pay (WTP) for implementing prescribed burning on their forestland to lower wildfire hazards using a contingent valuation method (CVM). Of 2,000 questionnaires sent, a total of 531 landowners responded to the CV question. Of which, 26% of landowners were willing to pay the given payment amount to reduce wildfire hazard on their land using prescribed burning. The mean WTP was $41.39 per acre with a 95% confidence interval of $14.70 to $66.86 per acre. Landowner tolerance for smoke from prescribed burning, consideration of liability, concern about property damages due to wildfires, and education level were positively related with WTP. Since WTP for implementing prescribed burning was higher than its cost, available budgets can be more efficiently utilized by prioritizing more resources towards technical and educational programs on prescribed burn planning, implementing, and monitoring.