Barriers to use of prescribed and wildfire

Fire management is a social process.

Social dynamics determine what we value and the decisions we make

The more people know about the ecological benefits and trust those doing the prescribed fire, the more their acceptance of prescribed fire and smoke increases

A key selling point for prescribed fire is that we have a greater ability to manage smoke

Internal agency considerations tend to limit fire as a management tool (lack of funding – the right funds at the right time for the right workforce, consistent leadership and personal commitment, endangered and invasive species; small burn windows)

Social license and air quality may be less of a barrier to prescribed fire than often described

Prescribed fire opportunities: Importance of coordination amongst burners and air quality regulators; multilevel governance approaches; create organizational structures similar to those that exist for wildfire; improve smoke modeling/monitoring

The limiting factors for wildfire resource benefit include resources, social acceptance, and internal concern