ABSTRACT
Wildland fire knows no political boundaries, nor should efforts to address its risk. Collaboration is not a new idea; many examples of natural resource managers and community groups working together can be found in forest management planning, watershed restoration, and wildland fire suppression (Sturtevant et al. 2005). Direction from a number of sources has urged collaboration as a means to achieve wildland fire management objectives. In 2001, Congress called for “close collaboration among citizens and governments at all levels” for the management of wildland fire, hazardous fuels, and ecosystem restoration (P.L. 106–291, cited in W GA 2001). The Western Governors’ Association also outlined a collaborative approach for reducing wildland fire risks. Federal and state authorities provide incentives for collaboration, coordination, and cooperation, including recent initiatives such as the National Fire Plan (NFP) and Healthy Forests Restoration Act 2003 (HFRA) (USDA/USDI 2000; US FS 2004). Programs such as Firewise, FireFree, and Firewise Communities USA provide collaborative forums for homeowners to collectively address their risk.
