Rural Leaders’ Perspectives on Prescribed Burns: A Qualitative Study

Prescribed burning, the intentional application of fire to landscapes, is a crucial tool for land management. It aids in forest rejuvenation and controls nuisance species. This study explores the perceptions of 19 rural leaders in the Ozark Mountains regarding private landowners' access to information and their involvement in decision-making about prescribed fires in the region. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Interviews with rural leaders highlighted 3 main themes: structured efforts for community-based land management, capacity building partnerships, and smoke management safety. Our study's findings underscore the transformative potential of prescribed burn associations' structured efforts for community-based land management in bridging gaps between policy, and practice. Our study also reveals how collaborative networks enhance resource-sharing, and decision-making autonomy, thereby expanding prescribed burn access for Missouri's private landowners. Finally, persistent challenges, such as smoke management resource gaps, highlight the need for targeted investments in education and technology. While this research focuses on Mark Twain National Forest in south-central Missouri, its implications extend to other regions of the United States struggling with fragmented landownership and climate-driven wildfire risks, offering insights for scalable prescribed burn strategies.