E-Thesis 1262 views 360 downloads
Vegetation fires in South Wales: public and stakeholder perceptions / CRAIG HOPE
Swansea University Author: CRAIG HOPE
Abstract
Globally, wildfires are becoming more costly to extinguish and fire seasons are getting longer. In South Wales there have been over 75,000 wildfires over the last 20 years, with the vast majority of these being human-caused. The aim of this research was to determine and analyse the public’s and stak...
| Published: |
Swansea
2022
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| Supervisor: | Doerr, Stefan ; Santin Nuno, Cristina; Halfacree, Keith |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60061 |
| Tags: | Add Tag |
| Abstract: |
Globally, wildfires are becoming more costly to extinguish and fire seasons are getting longer. In South Wales there have been over 75,000 wildfires over the last 20 years, with the vast majority of these being human-caused. The aim of this research was to determine and analyse the public’s and stakeholders’ perceptions of the risk from wildfires in this region. Understanding these is important as they help to shape public policy. Data was obtained through questionnaires, face to face in Tonypandy, a densely populated rural area, and Cardiff, a large City, and also via online surveys from across Wales. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine stakeholders, six from Wales and three from further afield. Amongst all questionnaire respondents, 97.5% believed there is risk associated with wildfires. All the stakeholders agreed that wildfires are a risk to the public, the fire service and to property. The general public were asked to comment on prescribed burning carried out by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for wildfire risk reduction and the vast majority of these comments were positive. Stakeholders were asked to comment on prescribed burning during the legislated season and as a year-round tool. All supported the activity within the legal season and only one did not support year-round burning to reduce fuel build up and reduce risk. The results indicate that the public perceive there is a risk from wildfire and both the public and stakeholders mostly agree with the use of fire to manage vegetation, even beyond the current legal season. |
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| Keywords: |
Wildfire, prescribed burning, risk, fire break, arson, deliberate, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |