16A.33
C, N - Burning Questions: A social science research plan for federal wildland fire management
Gary E. Machlis, National Park Service, Washington, DC; and K. A. Bagby and D. K. Artley
A social science research plan for federal wildland fire management was recently commissioned by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and completed in 2002. Burning Questions: A social science research plan for federal wildland fire management will be presented and discussed.
Understanding the relationship of people and fire in America is crucial to how federal agencies respond to wildland fire in the 21st century. An expanded program of social science is needed for an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the human dimensions of wildland fire. Important research questions need to be addressed, and there are significant opportunities for information sharing among social scientists, wildland fire managers, and others.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), composed of representatives of the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and National Park Service, recently commissioned a detailed social science plan to identify critically important research questions related to the human dimensions of federal wildland fire management. The plan was completed in early 2002 and endorsed by the NWCG. The result is Burning Questions: A social science research plan for federal wildland fire management.
The purpose of this session is to present Burning Questions, and to facilitate dialogue on how natural resource managers, fire management agencies, social scientists, policy makers, and the concerned public can best put the plan to work toward understanding the human dimensions of wildland fire.
The plan is based on three key foundations: an analysis of federal laws and policies that mandate or recommend social science research, a review of the relevant social science research literature, and a needs assessment drawn from suggestions of federal fire and resource managers, federal fire management partners, scientists, community leaders, stakeholder groups, and citizens. Results of these foundations are presented, and the research agenda developed from them is introduced. Formal recommendations for implementation are offered. The perspective of the NWCG will be presented, along with its strategies for action. A substantive dialogue on the implications of Burning Questions will be facilitated. Copies of Burning Questions will be available.
Session 16A, Other
Wednesday, 9 October 2002, 1:30 PM-1:30 AM
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