Forest fire management to avoid unintended consequences: A case study of Portugal using system dynamics

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Ross D. Collins (Author) Other; Richard de Neufville (Author) Other; João Claro (Author) FEUP; Tiago Oliveira (Author) Other; Abilio P. Pacheco (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Environmental Management

Vol. 130

Pages: 1-9

ISSN: 0301-4797

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 60 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 78 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology

CORDIS: Social sciences > Economics > Management studies > Technology management ; Social sciences > Political sciences > Public policy > Technology policy

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-DZV

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.08.033

Abstract (EN): Forest fires are a serious management challenge in many regions, complicating the appropriate allocation to suppression and prevention efforts. Using a System Dynamics (SD) model, this paper explores how interactions between physical and political systems in forest fire management impact the effectiveness of different allocations. A core issue is that apparently sound management can have unintended consequences. An instinctive management response to periods of worsening fire severity is to increase fire suppression capacity, an approach with immediate appeal as it directly treats the symptom of devastating fires and appeases the public. However, the SD analysis indicates that a policy emphasizing suppression can degrade the long-run effectiveness of forest fire management. By crowding out efforts to preventative fuel removal, it exacerbates fuel loads and leads to greater fires, which further balloon suppression budgets. The business management literature refers to this problem as the firefighting trap, wherein focus on fixing problems diverts attention from preventing them, and thus leads to inferior outcomes. The paper illustrates these phenomena through a case study of Portugal, showing that a balanced approach to suppression and prevention efforts can mitigate the self-reinforcing consequences of this trap, and better manage long-term fire damages. These insights can help policymakers and fire managers better appreciate the interconnected systems in which their authorities reside and the dynamics that may undermine seemingly rational management decisions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9