Introduction to the special issue: Humans, fire, and forests: the reemergence of research on human dimensions

• Published in: Society & natural resources Vol. 17; no. 6; pp. 473 - 475
• Main Authors: Cortner, H.J, Field, D.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01-07-2004
• Subjects: attitudes and opinions; fire science and management; fire social science; forest fire management; forestry; resource management; social benefit; social forestry; USDA Forest Service; wildland fire management; United States
• ISSN: 0894-1920; 1521-0723
• DOI: 10.1080/08941920490452418

Forest fire management has become an important public policy issue, and a new generation of fire social science research has emerged. This research draws from an established repertoire of research examining the relationship between science and management in various federal resource management agencies. Interest was renewed in 2000 after a major fire season with significant human impacts. Collaboration initiated at the Eighth International Symposium on Society and Resource Management (Bloomington, IN, June 2002) led to numerous research projects in the social science of fire. Current areas of research interest include elucidating changing social values, increasing public awareness, and assessing new policy initiatives.