Empowering Family Forestland Owners to Reduce Wildfire Risk

Wildfire risk is growing in the forested portion of the Wildland-Urban Interface, especially in the Western United States. Some commentators have suggested that the time has come for measures that would reduce the human presence in this area. In certain circumstances, however, family forestland owners have a salutary effect on forest resiliency. The attempt to exclude family forestland owners would create more problems than it would solve.

A better strategy would be to assist family forestland owners in fireproofing their residences and improving the health of their forests.