Research perspectives on the public and fire management: A synthesis of current social science on eight essential questions

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This synthesis reviewed existing scientific knowledge on the following questions:

• What is the public’s understanding of fire’s role in the ecosystem?
• Who are trusted sources of information about fire?
• What are the public’s views of fuels reduction methods, and how do those views vary depending on citizens’ location in the wildland-urban interface or elsewhere?
• What is the public’s understanding of smoke effects on human health, and what shapes the public’s tolerance for smoke?
• What are homeowners’ views of their responsibilities for home and property protection and mitigation, e.g., defensible space measures?
• What role does human health and safety play in the public’s perceptions of fire and fire management?
• What are the public’s views on the role and importance of costs in wildfire incident response decisions?
• To the extent that information is available, how do findings differ among ethnic and cultural groups, and across regions of the country?