X! NWOS Wildfire Science Module

XI. NWOS Wildfire Science Module
Wildfire is an unplanned fire that starts in forestland, woodland, or rangeland. It can be started by
lightning or by people, either accidentally or intentionally.
Prescribed fire is a burn set by professionals on forestland, woodland, or rangeland under strict
guidelines. Prescribed fire is used to prevent build-ups of flammable woody materials that could cause
intense wildfires.
1. Please indicate which of the following you have experienced in the past 5 years:
Check all that apply.
__Wildfire burned on my land
__Wildfire burned on my neighbor’s land
__I have witnessed a wildfire
__I have had structures on my land damaged or lost because of a wildfire
__I have seen forestland, woodland, or rangeland soon after a wildfire burned through it
__Smoke from a wildfire has made me physically uncomfortable or affected my health, or the
health of someone in my household.
__Smoke from a wildfire has inconvenienced me (for example, diminished scenery or caused
outdoor plans to be cancelled)
__None of the above
2. Wildfires can cross property lines. In order to address this problem, some woodland owners will
communicate or coordinate efforts with the owners of nearby properties in order to reduce
wildfire risk in their area. This can involve working with fellow private property owners or with
public land managers. Which of the following have you done in the past 5 years?
Check all that apply.
__Talked to nearby private property owners (within a mile of your wooded land) about how to
reduce wildfire risk
__Worked with nearby private property owners (within a mile of your wooded land) to reduce
wildfire risk (for example, pooled resources to purchase equipment or hire professionals, or
had neighborhood work parties)
__Coordinated efforts with public land managers to reduce wildfire risk on your property (for
example, performed recommended activities or allowed a controlled burn on your property)

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Not Applicable

No concern

Of little concern

Moderate concern

Concern

Great concern

3. Please indicate your level of concern about each of the following events occurring in the next 5
years on or near your wooded land in [STATE]:
If you own one property, check one box for each item. If you own more than one property in
[STATE], consider them all and check one or more boxes for each item.

Wildfire occurring on my wooded land.
Wildfire occurring on public lands within a mile of my
property.
Wildfire occurring on private lands within a mile of my
property.
Wildfire damaging my home or other structures on my
property.
Loss of saleable timber due to wildfire on my property.
Loss of beauty or scenery due to wildfire on my
property.
4. Please indicate which of the following activities you’ve done in the past 5 years for the primary
purpose of reducing wildfire risk on the wooded portion of your land in .
Check all that apply.
__Conducted prescribed burns
__Created or maintained fuel breaks
__Limbed up trees
__Planted fire-resistant trees
__Purchased insurance for the wooded portion of my land
__Removed woody debris that was on the ground
__Thinned trees
__Used mechanized or hand equipment to control undergrowth
__Other (please specify):__________
__I have performed no activities specifically to reduce the risk of wildfire on my property

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If you answered that you have performed no activities for the primary purpose of reducing the
risk of wildfire on your property, skip to question 5.
If you checked any of the activities above other than no activities, please answer a and b.
a. For any of the above activities that produced leftover woody material, what did you do with
it?
Check all that apply.
__Burned in piles
__Kept for personal use (e.g., firewood, construction)
__Mulched and spread across woods
__Sold as a non-timber product (e.g., biomass or pulp)
__Sold as a timber product
__Took to landfill or transfer station
__Other (please specify):____________
__Nothing, left it where it fell
b. On what percentage of your wooded land have you taken actions to reduce the risk of
wildfire?
__0%
__1-24%
__25-49%
__50-74%
__75-100%
5. In some areas, owners of wooded land have formed groups to provide information and support
to help one another.
a. How familiar are you with this concept?
Extremely Moderately
Somewhat
Slightly
Not at all
Familiar
Familiar
Familiar
Familiar
Familiar
__
__
__
__
__
b. If a woodland owner organization existed in your area, how likely would you be to join?
Extremely
Likely
__

Likely
__

Undecided
__

Unlikely
__

Extremely
Not
Unlikely Applicable
__
__

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