The Cost of Forest Fires: A Socioeconomic Analysis

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter aims to show the phenomenon of forest fires from socioeconomic aspects to present the readers with a new perspective. We start from the assumption that fire in forest ecosystems has a positive and negative impact, which can be represented by an appropriate valuation system. The basis for such an assumption was found in the paradox of fire (in natural ecosystems), which has had human attention from the very beginning of the human population. From early views on social dependence on fire to a modern perspective, that fire is a catastrophic phenomenon in nature. Today, it can be assumed that our valuation system is set at a point where fire harms nature. This tacit acceptance has become commonplace in fire reporting where the importance of fire in removing biomass especially coniferous stands, maintaining open spaces for grazing and hunting, reducing catastrophic wildfires, in carbon balance and water regulation or scientific knowledge is almost completely omitted. Contemporary streams in nature and forest science and practice point out that fire is an ecosystem service providing many services with trade-offs between fire prevention and the provision of ecosystem services. Here, we explain why fire in natural ecosystems become relevant for science after the eighties. We present that the extent of fire damage is more than 0.012% of Worlds GDP in this decade. Major socioeconomic driving factors of forest fires are presented too. The chapter presents examples of ecosystem services and economic impacts provided by wildfires.