Wildfire Policy Challenge in the United States: Implications for Wildfire Risk Reduction in Missouri

Omolola Akinola,Jimmy Adegoke

doi:10.5539/jsd.v13n3p144

Abstract

The study examines the crisis of wildfire destruction in the United States and the various wildfire policies in place to mitigate the risk of wildfire. It also considers the factors affecting the incidence of wildfire in Missouri and finally it analyses the reasons for wildfire policy failure in the United States and suggestion on how to approach the challenge. The study concludes by examining the implication of social and demographic characteristics of forest landowners, land use change, wildland urban interface and climate change on wildfire risk reduction in Missouri.

Highlights

The policy challenge caused by wildfires is a major source of concern in the United States (Busenberg, 2004)
The destructive effects of wildfire in the United States have led to loss of lives, damage to property, and loss to ecosystem, tourism, timber and even air quality (General Accounting Office (GAO), 1999a, 1999b, 2000; US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and US Department of the Interior [DOI], 2000; USDA Forest Service, 2000
The objective of this paper is to examine some of the wildfire policy in the United States; analyze the current challenges facing their implementation, consider the implication of these for wildfire risk reduction in Missouri

Summary

Introduction

The policy challenge caused by wildfires is a major source of concern in the United States (Busenberg, 2004). Wildfire Policy in the United States According to Steelman and Burke (2007) observed that the wildfire suppression policy is the first policy wildfire policy that was established in 1905 This policy was in operation for five decades, the policy failed to include ways to mitigate highly inflammable organic materials that were systematically over accumulated over time. The general believe is that firefighting has never proved to be an effective strategy for fuel-load reduction This strategy has gained acceptance as a major approach for mitigating wildfire hazards. Arising from this, there is need for close collaborations among various stake holders and individuals whose activities are impacted by wildfires (Busenberg, 2001; Davis, 2001, 2006; WGA, USDA, and DOI, 2001). This is what made Busenberg, (2004) to conclude that the present institution arrangement has not reduced wildfire but has created more ecological problems, prevention of wildfire has remained complex, expensive, and risky

Recent Wildfire Policy Changes

Challenges in the Implementation of Wildfire Policy in the United States

Findings

Critical Factors for Forest Fire Risk Reduction and Management in Missouri