Pacific Northwest Research Station

Social Science and Wildland Fire Management

Wildland fire affects life, property, infrastructure, and the natural resources and ecosystems on which society depend. Federal, state, and local fire and land management organizations interact with communities to develop and implement responses to wildland fire, to manage fuel conditions near those communities, and to use fire to reduce potential losses and enhance social and ecological systems. Social science research focuses on understanding how human attitudes, values and beliefs influence fire and fuel management options; understanding how individuals and communities respond to fire risks; evaluating the social and economic effects of fire and fuels management; and developing knowledge to improve the effectiveness of fire management programs.

This site contains links to summaries of completed and ongoing fire social science studies being conducted by social scientists in Forest Service Research and Development. Links to complete reports are also provided.