Public perceptions towards wildfire preparedness in the Veluwe region of the Netherlands
Brian P. Oswald A , Amy Brennan B , Pat Stephens Williams A , Ray Darville B and Sarah McCaffrey CA Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA.
B Artemis Advantage LLC, Fort Polk, LA 71459, USA.
C Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75965, USA.
D Rocky Mountain Research Station, United States Forest Service, 240 West Prospect, Fort Collins, CO, 80526 USA.
E Corresponding author. Email: boswald@sfasu.edu
International Journal of Wildland Fire 28(1) 25-34 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF18138
Submitted: 15 August 2018 Accepted: 15 November 2018 Published: 14 December 2018
Abstract
The Netherlands has a growing threat of wildfires due to warmer and drier weather patterns. The purpose of this study was to identify public perceptions towards wildland fire preparedness in the forested Veluwe region of the country to aid those managers who would be affected by wildland fires to better plan for and manage fire events. Over 500 surveys were distributed to assess public opinions and perceptions regarding wildland fire and public expectations of government agencies in the event of a wildfire. Owing to the lack of any significant historical context of wildfires, the assumption was that the Dutch do not see fire as an immediate threat. Findings from this survey revealed that visitors and residents of the Veluwe region are aware of the wildfire problem in the Netherlands, but see wildfires as an immediate threat to nature (preferred term for most vegetated areas in the Netherlands) rather than themselves. Respondents to this survey also have high expectations of government agencies to inform them about wildfires.
Additional keywords : fire behaviour, human dimensions, safety, wildland fire.
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