Suchergebnisse

The Netherlands has been facing a growing threat of wildfires due to warmer and drier weather patterns. The purpose of this study was to identify public perceptions toward wildland fire in the forested Veluwe region of the country. The Dutch have little experience with wildland fires or fire as a management tool. In a collaborative effort between Stephen F. Austin State University and the Instituut Fysieke Veiligheid, the Dutch public safety agency, a survey was distributed to residents and visitors to the Veluwe to reveal and quantify public opinions and perceptions regarding wildland fire and public expectations of government agencies in the event of a wildfire. Due to the lack of any significant historical context of wildfires, the assumption was that the Dutch do not see fire as an immediate threat. Findings from this survey revealed that visitors and residents of the Veluwe region are more aware of the wildfire problem in the Netherlands than originally anticipated. They do not see wildfires as an immediate threat to themselves, but rather a threat to nature areas within the country. Respondents to this survey also have high expectations of government agencies to inform them about wildfires.