| This study evaluated differences in seasonal and permanent homeowners' perceptions of and support for fuel management actions including prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, and defensible space in selected wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas in the U.S. A mail survey was employed with a random sample of 2,781 households (returned were 939 for a 38% response rate) in three study sites, including residencies in/near San Bernardino National Forest (NF), CA; Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison NF/Bureau of Land Management land, CO; and Apalachicola NF, FL. Experiences with wildland fire and fuel reduction techniques differed greatly by study site, homeowner type and fuel technique. The implications are planners, resource managers, and policy makers need to consider that homeowners may differ in their attitudes toward and experiences with fuel reduction techniques. Better knowledge of homeowners can facilitate public support and understanding of fire policy, which then leads to better fuel management, improved public involvement, and enhanced communications with fire/land managers and homeowners in effected WUI areas. |
