Public Knowledge of Prescribed Burns
Prescribed burns are becoming more common as a land management tool to maintain the health of wildlands, reduce the potential for wildfires, and improve the environment for wildlife. While there is limited research examining the general public’s knowledge of prescribed burns, available research suggests the public would like more information about them, including the purpose of the burn, notifications for when burns are happening, possible health risks, and protective actions to take for reducing their smoke exposure (Hoshiko et al., 2023).
As a part of our research, we conducted key informant interviews with Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia residents. We found that while all participants had heard of the term “prescribed burn” or a similar term (e.g., “prescribed fire,” “controlled burn,” “controlled fire”), there was confusion among some of them about what prescribed burns are and why they are conducted.
Those we spoke to expressed an interest in learning general information about prescribed burns, the possible health risks, and actions they can take to minimize these risks. These findings, along with previous research, point to an opportunity for more education on prescribed burns.
Increase in Prescribed Burn Use and Wildland-Urban Interfaces
In the past few decades, prescribed burning has been more frequently used as a tool to combat the harmful environmental and health effects of wildfires. According to a 2020 national report, 10,003,541 acres of wildland were treated with a prescribed burn across the United States in 2019 (National Association of State Foresters & Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils, 2020). This represented a 28% increase from within the past decade. Trends suggest prescribed burn usage will continue along this path to reduce the effects of wildfires which are becoming much more common due to climate change and an increase in the wildland urban interface.
The wildland urban interface (WUI) is a transitional area that exists between unoccupied, undeveloped land (“wildlands”) and land developed by humans (“urban;” U.S. Fire Administration, n.d.). According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the WUI grows by about 2 million acres each year. These areas may be at an increased risk of wildfires as human-developed infrastructure comes into contact with undeveloped wildlands and vegetative fuels.
Health Risks Related to Prescribed Burn Smoke Exposure
Although the amount of smoke generated from prescribed burns is significantly less than the smoke generated from wildfires, prescribed burns do generate some smoke. Exposure to this smoke can cause smoke irritation, depending on the amount of smoke, how long a person is exposed to it, and how close a person is to the source of the smoke. Symptoms of smoke irritation include itchy/burning eyes, coughing, and difficult breathing. Smoke exposure, from prescribed burns, can worsen pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Prescribed burn smoke can also cause reduced visibility on roads which could lead to traffic-related accidents and injuries. Consequently, it is important for the public to be aware of prescribed burns and the potential health risks they carry if they live or work in areas where they may be impacted by them.
In addition to informing the public about the potential health risks, this is an opportunity to let them know the safety measures taken to minimize these risks. Trained fire management teams conduct prescribed burns under specific weather conditions that allow for more control over the fire’s movement. Fire management teams can also monitor the fire more closely because it is moving at a slow pace. These teams are able to limit potential health risks to the public because they can keep the fire away from populated areas or extinguish the fire if needed.
Addressing Information Needs and Misinformation about Prescribed Burns
Research shows there is confusion among the general public about what prescribed burns are and that misinformation (false information) is difficult to correct once it exists. During our key informant interviews, we learned the public would like more information about prescribed burns. This presents an excellent opportunity to establish a science-based foundation of what prescribed burns are for the general public. By providing clear, factual information about prescribed burns, the public will be better equipped to critically analyze information about prescribed burns, and disregard prescribed burn misinformation they may encounter in the future. Having this information can support land management efforts because community residents understand why prescribed burns are being conducted, the benefits and potential health risks, and ways to reduce potential smoke exposure.
Transparency and Trust
Transparency in communication, by providing clear, factual information about prescribed burns, can also help establish trust in agencies and institutions who manage these burns (e.g., fire departments and prescribed fire councils) and the groups these institutions may partner with to communicate about them (e.g., public health departments, community centers, and non-profit organizations). This trust can facilitate the work of fire management teams and fire fighters who are responsible for conducting prescribed burns. When the public understands what prescribed burns are, why they are conducted, the steps taken to minimize risk (e.g., the precise conditions under which they are conducted and the qualifications of those who conduct them) and how it may impact and potentially benefit them, this transparency can generate support for prescribed burns.
Public perception of prescribed burns is important because public opinion shapes policies, regulations, and litigation outcomes, all of which can impact how, and how frequently prescribed burns can be conducted (Wu et al., 2022). In studying public perception of prescribed burns, researchers have found that increasing the public’s familiarity with and knowledge of prescribed burns can play an important role in increasing public support for prescribed burns (McAffrey, 2006).
While it may require additional effort in the short-term, it will be more effective and efficient in the long-term to take a proactive stance on communicating about prescribed burns. This allows stakeholders to help shape the narrative in prescribed burn education rather than trying to combat potential misinformation later, respond to citizens with limited knowledge of prescribed burns who are concerned about what they are, or work around more restrictive prescribed burn-related policies born out of limited public support.
Fire management teams that conduct prescribed burns often use a fire plan to guide these burns that break down different stages of the burn and include planning for each of these stages and a checklist to aid in the fire team’s preparations. To facilitate communicating with the public, our toolkit provides resources on how communicating about prescribed burns can fit into these existing burn plans, and includes a communication matrix that can help stakeholders decide when and what to communicate about prescribed burns.