Wildfires: International Perspectives on Their Social-Ecological Implications

This chapter introduces the fact that of the several natural hazards contemporary communities may encounter, the complex interdependencies that exist between people and the forest sources of wildfire hazards make wildfire a unique hazard. It then proceeds to provide an overview of how historical patterns of interdependence between people and forests coupled with recent trends in population growth and their encroachment on forest environments for lifestyle and recreation are increasing risk. Next, it outlines a social-ecological approach to framing and managing wildfire risk and discusses environmental, ecological, and social factors that play complementary roles in the development and thus the management of wildfire risk. The chapter introduces international case studies that discuss the historical, social, cultural, and ecological aspects of wildfire risk management in countries with a long history of dealing with this hazard (e.g., United States and Australia) and in countries (e.g., Taiwan) where wildfire hazards represent a new and growing threat to the social and ecological landscape.