Modelling public support for wildland fire policy

Abstract

Theoretically grounded explanations of wildland fire policy can be improved by empirically documenting the causal influences of support for (or opposition to) management alternatives. This chapter proposes a model based on the specificity principle (i.e. correspondence between measured variables to empirically examine four common wildland fire policies in relation to three sets of causal influences. Two agency actions (prescribed fire, and mechanical thinning) and two homeowner actions (defensible space and firewise construction) are analysed against socio-demographic, situational and psychological precursors. Daa were obtained from a survey of Colorado residents (n = 532) living in the wildland-urban interlace. The predictive validity of the independent variables was assessed using logistic regression. The acceptability of the two agency and two homeowner ad ions had significantly different patterns of social causes and linkages. Results supported the contention that socia-demographic. situat ional factors and psychological variables differentiall influence support for agency or homeowner actions. Consistent with the specificity principle, the psychological measures we re most useful in wildland fire policy analysis. Recognizing these causal influences can improve policy development, situated communications, and local community involvement strategies. Overall, theoretical-based models of natural resource policies can facilitate understanding the causal mechanisms that drive support for (or opposition to) wildland fire actions.

Citation

Absher, J.D.; Vaske, J.J. 2007. Modelling public support for wildland fire policy. In: Reynolds, K. M., Thomson, A. J., Kohl, M. Shannon, M. A., Ray, D., & Rennolls, K. (Eds.) Sustainable forestry: from monitoring and modelling to knowledge management and policy science. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. pp. 159-170