Research note: Quick assessment of recreation use and experience in the immediate aftermath of wildfire in a desert river canyon

Abstract

There is limited research on recreationists’ responses to changes in resource conditions after wildfire. Existing studies often rely on presenting visitors with hypothetical wildfire scenarios or simulated changes in conditions. We completed a quick assessment of recreation visitation and visitor experience in the months immediately following an actual high-severity wildfire within a popular river canyon in Oregon, USA. We also explored the influence of wildfire on the recreation plans of campers. We found that recreation use dropped sharply in the immediate aftermath of the wildfire, but rebounded to long-term averages within months. In addition, visitors reported the burned landscape had little influence on their recreation experience. Forty-five percent of campers reported having changed a planned camping trip within the prior two years because of smoke or wildfire. Nearly half of respondents reported that potential for wildfire would be a factor in where they planned to camp in the future. Management implications: Our findings are consistent with other studies in showing that visitation losses do happen after wildfire but are short-lived and may differ between day and overnight users.· Although visitors were often saddened to see the burned landscape, their recreation experiences and satisfaction appeared largely unchanged.· Distributing up-to-date information about conditions at recreation destinations may be useful for potential visitors concerned about smoke and wildfire.· Recreationists substitute between recreation destinations or seasons to avid wildfire or smoke. Managers may do well to prepare for receiving visitors displaced by wildfire or smoke and having more visitors outside primary recreation seasons.

Citation

White, Eric M.; Bergerson, Terry R.; Hinman, Elliot T. 2020. Research note: Quick assessment of recreation use and experience in the immediate aftermath of wildfire in a desert river canyon. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 29: 100251-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2019.100251.