Wildland fire management: the economics of policy alternatives

Simard, AJ

HERO ID

7310477

Reference Type

Technical Report

Year

1976

Language

English

HERO ID 7310477
Year 1976
Title Wildland fire management: the economics of policy alternatives
Authors Simard, AJ
Publisher Text Canadian Forestry Service
City Ottawa, Ontario
Abstract The historical development of practical and economic wildland fire management policies is briefly traced. The main emphasis of the paper is on the economic approach. The economic theory is a function of three elements: cost, production, and net present loss. The production function is the key element of the theory. Costs are classified into variable and fixed, the latter being further subdivided into short- and long-run. The need for using net present value with respect to the latter is discussed. As defined in this paper, there are three factors of production: fire occurrence, fire control, and fuel management. A theoretical procedure for determining the optimum mix of production factors is discussed. Net present loss consists of damage and benefits. There are three categories of damage, based on the person to whom the damage accrues: the owner, the user, and others. Actual value lost to each category is affected by substitutability and a risk premium. The importance of market processes in relation to damage assessment is also considered. Lastly, the effect of beneficial impacts of wildland fire is discussed.
Url https://d1ied5g1xfgpx8.cloudfront.net/pdfs/24010.pdf
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Number Of Pages 59
Series Forestry Technical Report
Is Public Yes
Language Text English