The experience of community residents in a fire-prone ecosystem: A case study on the San Bernardino National Forest. Res. Paper. PSW-RP-257

This study offers an in-depth look at people living in fire-prone communities near the San Bernardino National Forest to better understand their perceptions of wildfires. Residents completed a questionnaire and participated in a focus group. The results indicated that the majority had significant experience with wildfire, such as being evacuated from their homes, but that the residents did not generally experience major disruptions to their everyday functioning related to stress from their fire experience. They reported having good knowledge of how to protect their homes from fire, and many had made practical efforts to improve fire safety. This report includes an in-depth analysis of respondents attitudes toward the Forest Service.