Landscape fires as social disasters: An overview of ‘the bushfire problem’

Abstract

The 'landscape', 'bushfire' or 'forest-fire' problem is exemplified by the destruction of homes and human lives by landscape fires raging out of control. The 'problem' involves a series of landscapes (e.g. wildland and suburb), a series of systems (e.g. biophysical system and environmental-effects system), and a series of time phases (e.g. planning phase). It is a multi-stakeholder, multi-variable, multi-scale problem. Land uses, like 'farmland', imply a set of specific assets and, therefore, particular perceptions of losses. In all land-use designations, at any one point, fire-proneness may be seen as a function of exposure to ignition sources (embers, burning brands or flame radiation and flame contact) and the ease of ignition. The landscape-fire problem has multiple partial 'solutions', not just one overall solution, and these involve social governance, land management (public and private), suppression capacity and personal preparedness. The problem needs to be addressed at multiple temporal and spatial scales in an integrated fashion for the outcome to be of maximal benefit. There will always be a residual risk of severe fire occurrence. Minimisation of residual risk requires effective land management, recurrent funding and the perpetual vigilance of all parties. r

Incorporating economic valuation into fire prevention planning and management in southern European countries

“…These findings are in line with other studies that have stressed This study estimated changes in social welfare arising specifically from the responses of animal species to wildfire, assessing this way the social preferences for changes in the provision of a natural amenity that may occur due to wildfires (Venn & Calkin, 2011). Loomis et al (2004;2005;2009) and González-Cabán et al (2007) tested the WTP of different populations in the United States for prescribed burning or mechanical fuel reduction programs expected to reduce forest fires in 25% and the houses destroyed by fire from 20 to 8. The advantages and disadvantages of the mechanical technique are presented while these were lacking for the prescribed burning.…”

“…Forest fires are also a severe problem in countries or regions such as the United States or Australia (Stephens & Ruth, 2005;Gill, 2005). However, one of the 3 Incorporating economic valuation into fire prevention planning and management wetland trees efits they provide often being lost or degraded (Holmes, 2004).…”

Using a Triangulated Theoretical Framework and Mixed Methods: Frame, Institutional and Network Analyses

“…In places like SE Australia, bushfire risk evolves as we continue to work and live in fire-regime adapted lands (Blanchi, et al, 2004;Gill, 2005;Gillen, 2005;Handmer & Tibbits, 2005). Our vulnerability 8 to bushfires depends on a complex array of factors, not least of which our preparations for and actions during an inevitable bushfire.…”

“…Although the cadre is expanding, markedly fewer studies and commentaries attempt to convey a more holistic picture. Notable exceptions that capture a fairly broad swath of the issues, include Gill (2005), Dombeck (2004), Murdiyarso (2006), Lavorel (2006), and Pyne (1991Pyne ( , 1997aPyne ( , 1997bPyne ( , 2001Pyne ( , 2006. Clearly, fire management is a multi-stakeholder, multi-variable, multi-scale policy problem that has multiple partial 'solutions' and inevitable residual risk (Gill, 2005).…”

“…Notable exceptions that capture a fairly broad swath of the issues, include Gill (2005), Dombeck (2004), Murdiyarso (2006), Lavorel (2006), and Pyne (1991Pyne ( , 1997aPyne ( , 1997bPyne ( , 2001Pyne ( , 2006. Clearly, fire management is a multi-stakeholder, multi-variable, multi-scale policy problem that has multiple partial 'solutions' and inevitable residual risk (Gill, 2005). It is a complex policy problem not only because fire is a complex biophysical phenomenon (Cary 2003), it is also a complex social phenomenon (Bradstock & Gill, 2001;Gillen, 2005).…”