Wildland Fire Management Economics

Bibliografie en een zeer globaal overzicht van de Noord-Amerikaanse literatuur over economische modellen voor het afbranden van natuurterreinen (uitgezonderd bossen) als beheersmaatregel

In this age of climatic and financial uncertainty, it becomes increasingly important to balance the cost, benefits and risk of wildfire management. In the United States, increased wildland fire activity over the last 15 years has resulted in drastic damage and loss of life. An associated rapid increase in fire management costs has consumed higher portions of budgets of public entities involved in wildfire management, challenging their ability to fulfill other responsibilities. Increased public scrutiny highlights the need to improve wildland fire management for cost effectiveness. This book closely examines the development of basic wildfire suppression cost models for the United States and their application to a wide range of settings from informing incident decision making to programmatic review. The book also explores emerging trends in suppression costs and introduces new spatially explicit cost models to account for characteristics of the burned landscape. Finally, it discusses how emerging risk assessment tools can be better informed by integrating management cost models with wildfire simulation models and values at risk. Economics of Wildfire Management is intended for practitioners as a reference guide. Advanced-level students and researchers will also find the book invaluable.

Covers these topics: regional, national, and global vision of forest fires: common problems and approaches, theory and models for strategic fire planning, economic analysis and modeling for fire mgmt., forest fires and sustainable forest mgmt., public policies and forest mgmt., hazardous fuels treatment, wildland fire use and fire suppression activities, examples of fire mgmt. plans and strategic fire resource allocation, and a round table on the role of international organizations in forest fire solutions. Representatives from international organizations with fire protection responsibilities in 12 countries presented and discussed their experiences on the same issues. Charts and tables.

During the five decades since its origin, law and economics has provided an influential framework for addressing a wide array of areas of law ranging from judicial behaviour to contracts. This book will reflects the first-ever forum for law and economics scholars to apply the analysis and methodologies of their field to the subject of wildfire. The only modern legal work on wildfire, the book brings together leading scholars to consider questions such as: How can public policy address the effects of climate change on wildfire, and wildfire on climate change? Are the environmental and fiscal costs of ex ante prevention measures justified? What are the appropriate levels of prevention and suppression responsibility borne by private, state, and federal actors? Can tort liability provide a solution for realigning the grossly distorted incentives that currently exist for private landowners and government firefighters? Do the existing incentives in wildfire institutions provide incentives for efficient private and collective action and how might they be improved?

Discusses both the historic and contemporary influences of economic in formulating USDA, Forest Service fire management policy in allocating money for fire management and in appraising fire effects. Includes a partial listing of publications that deal with resource valuation.

These proceedings summarize the results of a symposium that addressed current issues of agencies with wildland fire protection responsibility at the federal and state levels in the U.S. and in the international community. Topics include climate change and wildland fires: reality or illusion?; theory and models for strategic fire planning; economic analysis and integrated wildland fire management; forest fires and sustainable forest management; public policies and the wildland fire management problem; hazardous fuels treatment; wildland fire use and fire suppression activities: reduction or contribution to green house gases emissions?; fire management plans and strategic fire resource allocation; and a round table on climate change and mega fires. Representatives from international organizations in 18 countries presented and discussed their experiences. Figures. This is a print on demand report.

by Peter J. Roussopoulos, Director, Southern Research Station The world and its ecosystems are repeatedly punctuated by natural disturbances, and human societies must learn to manage this reality Often severe and unp- dictable, dynamic natural forces disrupt human welfare and alter the structure and composition of natural systems Over the past century, land management ag- cies within the United States have relied on science to improve the sustainable management of natural resources Forest economics research can help advance this scientifc basis by integrating knowledge of forest disturbance processes with their economic causes and consequences As the twenty-frst century unfolds, people increasingly seek the goods and services provided by forest ecosystems, not only for wood supply, clean water, and leisure pursuits, but also to establish residential communities that are removed from the hustle and bustle of urban life As vividly demonstrated during the past few years, Santa Ana winds can blow wildfres down from the mountains of California, incinerating homes as readily as vegetation in the canyons below Hurricanes can fatten large swaths of forest land, while associated foods create havoc for urban and rural residents alike Less dramatic, but more insidious, trees and forest stands are succumbing to exotic insects and diseases, causing economic losses to private property values (including timber) as well as scenic and recreation values As human demands on public and private forests expand, science-based solutions need to be identifed so that social needs can be balanced with the vagaries of forest disturbance processes