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Misperceptions Abound over the Use of Prescribed Fire on Rangelands

published: July 22nd 2008
source: Rangeland Ecology Management Society

Landowners often have incomplete perceptions of prescribed fire,

thinking of the practice as dangerous or wasteful.  However, in many

rangeland ecosystems, prescribed fire is necessary to maintain balance

in plant species composition and to promote biodiversity.  Controlled

burning curbs woody plant invasion to achieve the most productive use of

rangelands.

In a recent Rangeland Ecology and Management article, the perceptions of

Texas landowners on prescribed fire were gathered and analyzed,

revealing that increased knowledge of the benefits of fire would

increase use of the practice.

Uncontrolled fire can cause irreparable damage, so many states and

regions have formalized associations to help increase awareness of and

disseminate information about prescribed fire.  The article details a

study of rural Texas landowners in a specific geographical region who

are both members and non-members of such an association.

In this study, a mail survey was sent to all 185 members of the Edwards

Plateau Prescribed Burning Association (EPPBA) to determine the

perceptions, adoption barriers, and challenges of using prescribed fire.

In addition to the members of the EPPBA, the authors also randomly

surveyed 600 non-members in six different counties on the Edwards

Plateau to increase sample diversity.

Because the study focused on a specific geographic region, the findings

cannot be extrapolated to the general landowner population, but they do

present current issues regarding prescribed fire adoption.  One of the

most important findings of the study is that a change in public

perception is needed in order for prescribed burning to become more

widely accepted.  Additionally, effective outreach programs must be in

place for the broader adoption of prescribed fire by landowners.

Survey respondents who were not members of the EPPBA cited insufficient

resources and knowledge as the most important reasons for not using

fire, followed by legal concerns and the lack of planning assistance.

Associations like the EPPBA can assist landowners with the development

of burn plans, fire safety training, and fire management equipment and

labor on burn days.  These practices help reduce the liabilities of

using prescribed fire and will promote more productive rangeland

ecosystems.