Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2025

Subjects

Wildfire risk -- Management, Environmental stewardship, Fire ecology -- West (U.S.), Interagency coordination

Abstract

Collaboration plays a critical role in wildfire risk mitigation efforts. This study examines collaborative wildfire governance networks within Southwest Idaho, a priority landscape designated in 2022 under the USDA Forest Service's Wildfire Crisis Strategy (WCS). Through survey data from 64 respondents, the Fueling Adaptation study aimed to identify the structure, capacity, and gaps in governance networks addressing wildfire risk in Southwest Idaho and understand how WCS investments have influenced wildfire management in the area. The findings reveal a growing governance network centered on the USDA Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands and supported by numerous non-governmental organizations and county governments. Nearly three-quarters of the partnerships identified in this arena function through informal relationships rather than formal agreements and funding flows. Unexpectedly, respondents who reported their organizations were highly influenced by WCS investments perceived relatively poorer collaborative and landscape outcomes compared to less WCS-influenced organizations. Furthermore, the study revealed gaps in Tribal, private landowner, and local community representation in existing wildfire governance networks and collaborative forums. Building such collaborative capacity is a gradual process that depends on sustained engagement and long-term investment. The findings highlight both strengths and challenges in leveraging federal investments to improve collaborative capacity and improve wildfire resilience and governance outcomes in Southwest Idaho.

Rights

Copyright 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

DOI

10.15760/esm-report.01

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43997

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