Prescribed burns can aid in efforts to reduce severity of wildfires
Matthew Hurteau is Assistant Professor for Forest Resources at the Pennsylvania State University Dept. of Ecosystem Science and Management. His research focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptation in forest systems. Here, he reflects on meetings he had on Capitol Hill with his Pennsylvania congressional delegation as well as forestry staff with the House Agriculture Committee to discuss his research on prescribed burns and how they can benefit wildfire management activities. Hurteau also provides useful preparatory information to scientists looking to engage in policy.
For more on policy related to wildfire mitigation, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.