Net benefits of wildfire prevention education efforts

Prestemon, JP; Butry, DT; Abt, KL; Sutphen, R

HERO ID

1923448

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2010

Language

English

HERO ID 1923448
In Press No
Year 2010
Title Net benefits of wildfire prevention education efforts
Authors Prestemon, JP; Butry, DT; Abt, KL; Sutphen, R
Journal Forest Science
Volume 56
Issue 2
Page Numbers 181-192
Abstract Wildfire prevention education efforts involve a variety of methods, including airing public service announcements, distributing brochures, and making presentations, which are intended to reduce the occurrence of certain kinds of wildfires. A Poisson model of preventable Florida wildfires from 2002 to 2007 by fire management region was developed. Controlling for potential simultaneity biases, this model indicated that wildfire prevention education efforts have statistically significant and negative effects on the numbers of wildfires ignited by debris burning, campfire escapes, smoking, and children. Evaluating the expected reductions in wildfire damages given a change in wildfire prevention education efforts from current levels showed that marginal benefits exceed marginal costs statewide by an average of 35-fold. The benefits exceeded costs in the fire management regions by 10- to 99-fold, depending on assumptions about how wildfire prevention education spending is allocated to these regions.
Doi 10.1093/forestscience/56.2.181
Wosid WOS:000276590800005
Url https://academic.oup.com/forestscience/article/56/2/181/4604456
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Note: DOI is broken, last checked 2/3/2021.
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword debris; escape; campfire; damage; control function; benefit/cost ratio