Wildfire across agricultural landscapes: farmer and rancher experiences and perceptions in the southern great plains

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wildfire frequency and intensity has increased across the Southern Great Plains of the United States and other similar landscapes worldwide in part due to climate change. It is important that policymakers, practitioners, and the agricultural community better understand the impact from increased wildfire incidence and severity across different agricultural landscapes. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of wildfires across an agricultural landscape of the Southern Great Plains. Using primary data collected from semi-structured interviews of farmers and ranchers in the study region, we quantitatively explore farmers’ and ranchers’ perceptions and experiences about wildfires in the Southern Great Plains of the U.S. About 80% of the producers interviewed had directly experienced wildfire on their property, including significant losses to farmer livelihoods, food stocks (crops and livestock), forages, native grasslands, and structures (building and fencing). Many producers perceived wildfire frequency had increased and another megafire event was very likely. To help reduce wildfire risk for producers in the Southern Great Plains more timely education and outreach efforts about wildfire mitigation, organisation of local fire associations, more timely disaster assistance, and innovative insurance solutions would be useful. Key policy highlights Farmers and ranchers face significant wildfire risk in the Southern Great Plains, a grassland dominated landscape, where public and pooled resources for wildfire mitigation and suppression are scarcer. Policymakers and emergency planners need to be aware of the impacts from wildfires on grassland dominated agricultural landscapes, including losses to farmer livelihoods, food stocks (crops and livestock), forages, native grasslands, structures (building and fencing), amongst others that may occur. More research and education concerning wildfire impacts and mitigation on agricultural landscapes needs to be conducted, such as organising local fire associations, more effectively pooling local resources, and innovative insurance solutions.