Living with fire: homeowner assessment of landscape values and defensible space in Minnesota and Florida, USA

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Contents Vol 13(4)

doi:10.1071/WF03067

Living with fire: homeowner assessment of landscape values and defensible space in Minnesota and Florida, USA

Kristen C. Nelson ^A ^D, Martha C. Monroe ^B, Jayne Fingerman Johnson ^C, Alison Bowers ^B

^A Department of Forest Resources and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 115 Green Hall, 1530 Cleveland Ave. No., St Paul, MN 55108-6112, USA.
^B School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, PO Box 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611-0410, USA. Telephone: +1 352 846 0878; fax: +1 352 846 1277; email: mcmonroe@ufl.edu
^C Conservation Biology Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, 199 McNeal Hall, Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN 55108, USA.
^D Corresponding author. Telephone: +1 612 624 1277; fax: +1 612 625 5212; email: kcn@umn.edu





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International Journal of Wildland Fire 13(4) 413–425 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF03067
Submitted: 16 September 2003 Accepted: 20 July 2004 Published online: 15 December 2004

Abstract

Homeowners’ preferences for vegetation and defensible space near their homes were documented for wildfire-prone areas in Florida and Minnesota (USA) through 80 in-depth interviews and home site visits. The dominant preference for ‘natural’ landscapes was articulated as valuing vegetated views, wildlife, recreation, quiet, solitude, and privacy. Homeowners recognized wildfire risk but varied in their perceptions of effective wildfire prevention measures and willingness to take actions to reduce their risk. Most supported prescribed burns, especially if fire experts who understand the local ecology and fire behavior conduct the burns.

Keywords: fuel treatment preferences; homeowner behaviors; landscape preferences; vegetation reduction; wildfire; wildfire risk perception.