Rural Leaders' Perspectives on Prescribed Burns: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT: Prescribed burning, the intentional application of fire to landscapes, is a crucial tool for land management. It aids in forest rejuvenation and controls nuisance species. This study explores the perceptions of 19 rural leaders in the Ozark Mountains regarding private landowners' access to information and their involvement in decision-making about prescribed fires in the region. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Interviews with rural leaders highlighted 3 main themes: structured efforts for community-based land management, capacity building partnerships, and smoke management safety. Our study's findings underscore the transformative potential of prescribed burn associations' structured efforts for community-based land management in bridging gaps between policy, and practice. Our

SUBMITTER: Oerther S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811568 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature