"Call when needed" : private contracting for wildfire suppression in an unpredictable work environment
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Date
2015
Authors
Huber-Stearns, Heidi
Bixler, R. Patrick (Richard Patrick)
Ellison, Autumn
Moseley, Cassandra
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon
Abstract
The U.S. Forest Service is facing unprecedented challenges in wildfire suppression, and increasingly
depends on resources outside the agency to maintain adequate wildfire response capacity. Reliance
on private wildfire suppression contractors has increased over time, especially in bolstering capacity
for direct attack resources, such as aerial resources, firefighter hand crews and other equipment. However,
little is known about private contracting businesses, in particular how they navigate the same fundamental
challenge: to maintain and grow their businesses that directly depend on unpredictable fire seasons and
agency needs. This briefing paper reports findings from a case study in southern Oregon, as part of a larger
project investigating the role of private wildfire suppression contracting on national forests.
Description
2 pages