Community wildfire protection plans in the American West

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Date

2014

Authors

Abrams, Jesse
Ellison, Autumn
Knapp, Melanie
Moseley, Cassandra
Paveglio, Travis
Nielsen-Pincus, Max

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Publisher

Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon

Abstract

Large wildfires are increasingly common in the American West. The federal government is responsible for the majority of suppression costs, and has a significant interest in policies that can improve resilience at the community level. The Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 encourages communities to complete Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). While not mandatory, CWPPs give communities access to federal and state funding for activities highlighted in plans. HFRA allows flexibility to adapt plans to local contexts; however, little is known about whether communities have capitalized on the opportunity to develop site-specific plans that meet the needs of individual communities. This research analyzed CWPP structure and content to better understand variability between plans.

Description

2 pages

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