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Author(s):
Scott Franz, Catrin Edgeley
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Hot Topic(s):
Topic(s):
Fire Policy & Law
Naturally-ignited Fire-use treatments
Suppression treatments
Management Approaches

NRFSN number: 27557
Record updated:

Wildfire policy has evolved rapidly over the past three decades, necessitating repeated shifts in management and communication strategies for US land management agencies. One growing focus considers the use of “other than full suppression” (OTFS) strategies, where managers use natural ignitions to achieve management objectives when conditions allow. While policy and guidance give managers operational flexibility, various sociopolitical, operational, and organizational factors contribute to risk aversion that inhibits OTFS use. This research investigates if wildfire management professionals can reach consensus on incentives used to promote OTFS management. Using the Delphi method, whereby individual participants complete anonymous iterative surveys and provide feedback on group responses, we asked wildfire management professionals in Arizona and New Mexico which incentives would have the greatest impact on use of OTFS strategies and how feasible implementation would be. Consistent public support from agency leadership, financial rewards for successful use of OTFS strategies, and allowing acres affected by OTFS wildfires to count towards regional treatment targets were among the most impactful in the eyes of participants. These results suggest that incentivizing OTFS management requires a combination of policy adjustment and agency alignment to better leverage wildfire to restore ecosystems and reduce hazardous fuels.

Citation

Franz S, and Edgeley C. 2024. Bucking the suppression status quo - Incentives to shift
the wildfire management paradigm around natural ignitions Joint Fire Science Final Paper JFSP PROJECT ID: 23-1-01-2, 24p.