Pacific Southwest Research Station

Title: Residents’ responses to wildland fire programs: a review of cognitive and behavioral studies

Author: Absher, James D.; Vaske, Jerry J.; Shelby, Lori B.

Date: 2009

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-223. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 31 p

Station ID: GTR-PSW-223

Description: A compilation and summary of four research studies is presented. They were aimed at developing a theoretical and practical understanding of homeowners’ attitudes and behaviors in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) in relation to the threat from wildland fires. Individual studies focused on models and methods that measured (1) value orientations (patterns of basic beliefs) toward natural processes, (2) attitudes toward wildland fire policies, and (3) behavioral intentions to adopt defensible space activities or support agency policies/actions. This report presents some of the key findings from these studies, highlights the practical consequences of adopting a theory-based approach to understanding wildland fire management in urbanized areas, and suggests strategies for successful wildfire-prevention education programs.

Keywords: wildland fire, behavioral intentions, fire beliefs and attitudes, firewise actions

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Citation

Absher, James D.; Vaske, Jerry J.; Shelby, Lori B.  2009.  Residents’ responses to wildland fire programs: a review of cognitive and behavioral studies.   Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-223. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 31 p.