Understanding Support for Regulatory Approaches to Wildfire Management

This FireEarth science brief summarizes research examining public support for regulatory approaches to wildfire management in Pend Oreille County, Washington. Drawing on survey responses from 744 residents, the study analyzed how perceptions of wildfire risk, participation in collaborative programs, and demographic factors influence support for property regulations and restrictions on firefighting resources. Support for regulations increased among residents who perceived wildfire risk as human-caused and among those who viewed wildfire as both ecologically healthy and socially disruptive. Participation in collaborative wildfire programs was positively associated with both mitigation behaviors and support for certain regulatory measures. The findings highlight the complexity of public opinion in wildfire-prone communities and underscore the importance of tailoring regulatory and outreach strategies to local demographic and perceptual characteristics. The brief emphasizes that shared stewardship requires understanding diverse resident perspectives, reinforcing community buy-in, and aligning policy approaches with local values.

The production of this science brief was supported by the National Science Foundation through award DMS-1520873.