Background: Intentional management of naturally ignited wildfires has emerged as a valuable tool for addressing the social and ecological consequences of a century of fire exclusion in policy and practice. Policy in the United States now allows wildfires to be managed for suppression and other than full suppression (OTFS) objectives simultaneously, giving flexibility to local decision makers.

Aims: To extend existing research on the history of wildfire management, investigate how wildfire professionals interpret current policy with respect to OTFS management, and better understand how they translate policy into implementation.

Methods: Interviews were conducted in south-west United States with wildfire professionals to explore policy’s impact on OTFS management.

Key results: Respondents reported that while flexible federal policy and interagency guidance was important, suitable landscape conditions, organisational capacity, support from national and regional leadership, updated management plans, increased monitoring capacity, and adequate performance measures also influence the decision to use OTFS strategies.

Conclusions: Translating flexible options into feasible operations requires aligning many layers of policy and people using proactive, collaborative, ongoing preparation.

Implications: Our research may prompt targeted discussions between management agencies and policymakers to determine how to best support successful management of wildfires OTFS.