Collaborative planning to reduce risk

W ildland re knows no political boundaries, nor should e orts to address its risk. Collaboration is not a new idea; many examples of natural resource managers and community groups working together can b e found in forest ma nagement p lanning, wa tershed r estoration, a nd wildla nd re suppression (S turtevant et al . 2005). Dir ection f rom a n umber o f s ources has urged collaboration as a me ans to achieve wildland re management objectives. In 2001, Congress called for “close collaboration among citizens and governments at all le vels” for the management of wildland re, hazardous fuels, and ecosystem restoration (P.L. 106-291, ci ted in W GA 2001). e Western Governors’ A ssociation als o o utlined a co llaborative approach f or r educing wildland re 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). P rograms suc h as F irewise, F ireFree, a nd Firewise Communities USA provide collaborative forums for homeowners to collectively address their risk.