1 / 17

Public Attitudes and Knowledge on Forest Fire Risk and Recovery

This study delves into the public's experience, attitudes, and knowledge toward forest fires, risk, and recovery. It explores factors like gender, race, age, income, and education that influence their perceptions. Data was gathered through a national telephone survey with extensive analysis utilizing logistic regression. Results reveal key insights on public experience, risk perceptions, risk avoidance behaviors, and factual knowledge related to forest fires. The study also highlights public attitudes toward fire management strategies and concerns about ecosystem health. Implications point to the importance of public awareness and trust in forest fire management strategies.

moe
Télécharger la présentation

Public Attitudes and Knowledge on Forest Fire Risk and Recovery

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Public Experience, Attitudes, & Knowledge Toward Forest Fire, Risk, & Recovery J.M. Bowker, H.K. Cordell, S. Rideout-Hanzak, C.Y. Johnson USDA Forest Service S-H. Lim, G.T. Green University of Georgia JFSP PI Workshop Phoenix, AZ 4/8/04

  2. Objectives • Explore Public’s - Experience with forest fire - Knowledge of fire & fire ecology - Attitudes -Fire Management - Attitudes - Fire risk - Fire prevention behavior

  3. Objectives • Assess Explanatory Factors - Gender, Race, Age -Income, Education, Employment - Region, Immigration - Where-raised, Where-living

  4. Methods • Data - National telephone survey (NSRE) - Approx 40 questions - Two treatments @ 3000 • Fall 2002 – Spring 2003 • Fall 2003 – Spring 2004 www.srs.fs.usda.gov/trends/Nsre/nsre2.html

  5. Methods • Analysis - Frequencies (post sample wts) - Logistic regression • Binary, Multinomial, Ordered - Poisson knowledge score model - Excel probability spreadsheets

  6. Results (n=3000+) • ExperienceYes(%) - Seen, heard, read 3 mo 86 - Diff wild vs prescribed 83 - Ever witness forest fire 40 - Seen forest post burn 67 - Smoke affected travel 39 - Fire altered rec plans 19

  7. Results • RiskVery Likely (%) - Fire w/i 10 mi home 26 Concerned (%) - Home damaged fire 10 - Smoke prescribed fire 34 - Wildlife prescribed fire 48 - Scenery prescribed fire 40

  8. Results • Risk AvoidanceYes(%) - Clear vegetation from 35 buildings - Spray herbicide control 12 undergrowth - Extra property insurance 36 - Keep firefighting equip 30 - Routinely burn under- 7 growth around home

  9. Results • KnowledgeTrue(%) - Most wildfires natural 40 - Wildfire destructive 52 long-term forest health - Wildfire a leading 47 environmental problem

  10. Results • KnowledgeTrue (%) - Prescribed & wildfire 43 similar effects - Prescribed fire kills too 26 many large trees - Prescribed regularly 21 out of control - Prescribed fire reduces 79 wildfire risk

  11. Results • KnowledgeTrue (%) - Fire increases chances 23 insect or disease o-b’s - Fire useful to control 64 undesirable weeds - Many plants require 57 fire in life cycle

  12. Results • AttitudesAgree (%) - Natural recovery 56 - Put out all wildfires 51 - Allow remote burns 38 if humans unthreatened - Post fire timber salvage 71 makes sense

  13. Results • AttitudesAgree (%) - People choosing to live 91 near forests accept risks - Homeowners should follow 80 gov’t guidelines to manage for wildfire risk

  14. Results • AttitudesAgree (%) - Public land managers … - Trusted to select best 66 methods for wildfire - Use mechanical ground 58 veg removal - Use chemical treatments 26 - Use prescribed fire 74

  15. Results • Attitudes Concerned (%) - Public land managers’ ability to manage fire 36 in forests & rangeland - Gov’t not consider tax- 51 payer costs… - Gov’t not consider long- 66 term ecosystem health …

  16. Results • FactorsSignificant - Race Most - Gender Most - Region Most - Age Often - Income Often - Education Often

  17. Some Implications • Experience • 15% - Simply not tuned in • Attitudes • Buyer beware • Timber salvage • Anti-chemical • Prescribed fire wins • Ecosystem health • Pro’s generally trusted …

More Related