The FIRES follow-on survey

We report on an online survey of stakeholders’ opinions on a Policy Brief produced from the 2008-2009 FIRES seminar series on moorland wildfire (http://www.fires-seminars.org.uk/downloads/FIRES_Policy%20Brief_final.pdf). The 150 respondents included those involved in practical management of wildfire risk, policy developers and researchers. Half were previously unaware of the seminars. They were invited to: select their top three key messages, policy recommendations and knowledge gaps; briefly explain their choices; rate the feasibility of implementing the policy recommendations; and comment on barriers or opportunities. The format was multiple choice and free text response. The three top key messages concerned combined management strategies, cost and partnership working. These are ‘boundary concepts’ – being the least controversial and having most multi-disciplinary appeal. However, comments demonstrated conflicting views; the document was seen equally as too pro- and as too anti- in its stance on prescribed burning and its relationship to wildfire. Differing priorities were also evident, notably between researchers and practical managers. Opinions on feasibility and importance of policy recommendations encompassed a wide spectrum, but eight of the (effectively) ten recommendations were considered as more feasible than difficult. Sectoral differences were not statistically significant. Recommendations most strongly associated with direct management were preferred over those on increasing understanding or theoretical aspects. Tensions identified included localism versus a national approach to management. Top-ranked knowledge gaps were an improved evidence base and better understanding of fire regimes. Omissions highlighted included arson and public education on wildfire. Eighty-two percent of respondents found the Policy Brief relevant to their work.