Economic cost of initial attack and large-fire suppression

Abstract

A procedure has been developed for estimating the economic cost of initial attack and large-fire suppression. The procedure uses a per-unit approach to estimate total attack and suppression costs on an input-by-input basis. Fire management inputs (FMIs) are the production units used. All direct and indirect costs are charged to the FMIs. With the unit approach, all cost information relevant to an FMI is integrated as one cost rate, thereby making simulation cost aggregation easier. Also, flexibility is increased so that the cost procedure can be uniformly applied by all organizations with fire protection responsibilities. Once the necessary information for all FMIs used in a particular fire is collected, the sum of all costs equals the total FMI suppression cost for that fire. As unit cost estimates for prevention, detection, and fuels management activities are developed, the procedure will be used to determine the total economic cost of a fire management program.

Citation

González-Cabán, Armando. 1983. Economic cost of initial attack and large-fire suppression. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-68. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 7 p.