Develop a human factors-based approach to wildfire ignitions prevention.
1. Establish at the USFS Regional Forester and State Forester levels a multi-agency task force to evaluate fire causes categorized by damage and cost. With interagency task forces, develop actions to prevent ignitions that are the most expensive and cause the most damage. Consider shifting resources from suppression to this effort for three to five years and evaluate effectiveness annually, compared to a baseline. Possible actions after the analysis are:
- Improved fire prevention public education;
- Recommended changes to enforcement options;
- Engineering enhancements that would reduce ignitions.
2. Human-casued wildfire ignitions and fire escapes result from sequences of human behaviors. Develop effective fire prevention/mitigation approaches based on the behavior patterns that lead to ignitions and escapes.
3. Assist and support NASF, NFPA and IAFC efforts to develop a new fire cause classification system to be used by all agencies and jurisdictions based on human behaviors that lead to human-caused wildfires. Develop a robust Fire Prevention and Education Research program in the USFS research stations, in the USGS, and at land grant universities.
4. Develop a Prevention Education, Knowledge Utilization and Technology Transfer Program. A body of knowledge about prevention and education effectiveness exists in the field of Public Health and other areas outside of fire. Use an evidence-based approach to prevention and education that is based on science as well as considered experience. Recruit the Cooperative Extension Service as a key partner in knowledge utilization and technology transfer.
5. Fire information: Direct the fire information focus to serve people whose lives, property and values are endangered by wildfire. Train fire information officers in the best communication practices and communicating information to help people cope with the threat of wildfire. Fire information can reduce economic and social disruption, fire losses, and psychological distress. Fire (both wild and prescribed) provide "teachable moments" during which fire education objectives can be met.
Short Term (0-2 years), Mid Term (2-4 years), & Long Term (>4 years)
Collaborators - State foresters, USFS, DOI, IAFC, state attorneys general, state fire marshals, tribal coordinating groups, electrical utility industry, railroad industry, timber industry, fluid minerals development industy, National Fire Administration, NWCG, USFS Research, USGS Research, Cooperative Extension services, NACo, National League of Cities, National Fire Information Officiers.
