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DASNR survey shows Oklahomans’ views on prescribed burning
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University’s department of natural resource ecology and management (NREM) had some burning questions for Oklahoma residents
What are landowners’ and the general public’s attitude toward fire and eastern redcedar trees? How do they feel about the establishment of a prescribed fire association? Are residents willing to adopt prescribed fire use and management?
These were just a few of the questions that were sent out through two questionnaires: one for agricultural producers and the other to the general public. After mailing 1,000 of each questionnaire, NREM scientists with OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources have a better sense for the mindset of Oklahomans.
“We found that Oklahoma residents generally had favorable attitudes toward fire,” said Dwayne Elmore, OSU Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist with the department. “More than 70 percent of both the ag and general respondents thought it was a necessary practice to manage landscapes.”
Elmore said most respondents felt that prescribed fire was an acceptable practice for landowners to use, although the general public tended to favor careful selection of where the fires occur.
Eastern redcedar trees were viewed as a problem, particularly by agricultural producers who spend considerable effort to remove them.
Elmore said many of the questions resulted in very similar responses between the general public and agricultural producers. The responses also revealed that further education addressing the need and acceptability of fire as a management practice is unwarranted in Oklahoma, for now. Instead, other concerns regarding fire should be addressed.
“We found liability was consistently a concern for both ag producers and general residents, along with associated issues such as structure damage, human health and safety regarding the use of fire,” Elmore said. “Ag producers specifically indicated that liability, laws and regulations, potential damage to structures and concerns about neighbors were the primary reason they did not use prescribed fire.”
Many respondents felt they needed more technical assistance.
“We feel that the use of prescribed fire associations is one of the primary ways to provide training and assistance, (thereby) increasing the use of fire,” Elmore said.
There are currently 16 associations with more than 350 members covering portions of 30 counties in the state. However, less than 30 percent of agriculture respondents of the survey had ever heard of one.
“Many of these associations are very active, and it was assumed that a large majority of landowners were aware of their existence,” Elmore said. “Clearly, we need to spend considerable time connecting people to the associations and making them aware of the benefits while continuing the work of forming new associations across the state.”
The survey is beneficial for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service as the organization can now address the major problem areas identified. A follow-up survey is planned after five years to evaluate the effects of outreach efforts.
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REPORTER/MEDIA
CONTACT:
Sean Hubbard
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
145 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK 74078-0001
Phone: 405-744-4490
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: sean.hubbard@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating; Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.
