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- Info
Societal influences on prescribed burning
| Author: |
Wade, Dale |
| Date: |
1993 |
| Periodical: |
In: Hermann, Sharon M., ed. The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: Ecology, Restoration and Management: Proceedings of the 18th Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference; 1993. Tallahassee, FL: Tall Timbers Research Station |
| Abstract: |
Although many resource professionals believe that periodic fire is necessary to the health of fire-adapted ecosystems, prescribed fire exists only because society allows it. Society has given fire managers the authority to determine if, when, and how prescribed burning takes place. In exchange, it is incumbent upon fire managers to respond to current and long-range societal desires. They must evaluate alternatives without personal bias, make decisions based on imperfect knowledge, and effectively communicate the whole process to the public. Only a small segment of the population is interested in fire management policy, and that segment is itself made up of even smaller groups holding potentially divergent positions. The vast majority of the public is not interested in fire management unless it is responding to an event or issue that it deems unacceptable. The public generally does not become confrontational unless it perceives that managers are not sensitive to its desires. This reacting public is likely to respond with emotion rather than reason. In such cases, fire managers must compromise. We therefore must not only continue to cultivate our relationships with small pro-fire segments of the public, but also intensify our efforts to reach the vast uninterested majority to ensure prudent management of our natural resources. |
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