Wildland fire management policy: Learning from the past and present and responding to future challenges

Abstract

Wildland fire is one of the most important vegetation- shaping factors that land managers deal with. It is our highest risk, most complex, and potentially highest consequence program. Wildland fire management policy is the most important element in defining the direction, scope, and focus of the program. What is policy? If we look it up in Merriam-Webster's dictionary, it is a "high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures, especially of a governmental body." It is interesting to see that the dictionary defines policy as a province of a government. Fire policy is a course of action to guide present and future decisions and to identify procedures and means to achieve wildland fire management goals and objectives. It is adopted and developed by a group of people, specifies principles for management, and involves commitment to implement it and carry it forward.

Citation

Zimmerman, Thomas. 2009. Wildland fire management policy: Learning from the past and present and responding to future challenges. Yellowstone Science. 17(2): 31-34.