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Barriers and enablers for prescribed burns for wildfire management in California

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca K. Miller

    (Stanford University)

  • Christopher B. Field

    (Stanford University
    Stanford University)

  • Katharine J. Mach

    (Stanford University
    University of Miami
    University of Miami)

Abstract

Prescribed burns to reduce fuel can mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires. However, multiple barriers limit their deployment, resulting in their underutilization, particularly in forests. We evaluate sociopolitical barriers and opportunities for greater deployment in California, an area recurrently affected by catastrophic fires. We use a mixed-methods approach combining expert interviews, state legislative policy analysis and prescribed-burn data from state records. We identify three categories of barriers. Risk-related barriers (fear of liability and negative public perceptions) prevent landowners from beginning the burn planning process. Both resource-related barriers (limited funding, crew availability and experience) and regulations-related barriers (poor weather conditions for burning and environmental regulations) prevent landowners from conducting burns, creating a gap between planning and implementation. Recent policies have sought to address mainly risk-related challenges, although these and regulations-related challenges remain. Fundamental shifts in prescribed-burn policies, beyond those currently under consideration, are needed to address wildfires in California and worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca K. Miller & Christopher B. Field & Katharine J. Mach, 2020. "Barriers and enablers for prescribed burns for wildfire management in California," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(2), pages 101-109, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0451-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0451-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Esther Jose & Puneet Agarwal & Jun Zhuang, 2023. "A data-driven analysis and optimization of the impact of prescribed fire programs on wildfire risk in different regions of the USA," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 118(1), pages 181-207, August.
    2. Nicolas Boccard, 2022. "On the prevalence of forest fires in Spain," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 114(1), pages 1043-1057, October.
    3. Alissa Hinojosa & Urs P. Kreuter & Carissa L. Wonkka, 2020. "Liability and the Use of Prescribed Fire in the Southern Plains, USA: A Survey of District Court Judges," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Arthur Fishman & Doron Klunover, 2020. "To Act or not to Act? Political competition in the presence of a threat," Papers 2010.03464, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2020.
    5. Peterson St-Laurent, Guillaume & Locatelli, Bruno & Hoberg, George & Gukova, Veronika & Hagerman, Shannon, 2021. "Models for integrating climate objectives in forest policy: Towards adaptation-first?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    6. Hilsenroth, Jana & Grogan, Kelly A. & Crandall, Raelene M. & Bond, Ludie & Sharp, Misti, 2023. "Non-industrial private forest owners' preferences for fuel reduction cost-share programs in the southeastern U.S," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

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