Fanning the flames of cooperation: A collective action approach to prescribed fire agreements

Fire-dependent ecosystems in the southeastern U.S. such as Longleaf pine (LLP; Pinus palustris) ecosystems have lost a significant portion of their historic range due to numerous factors including fire suppression and land conversion. These ecosystems require frequent prescribed fires to maintain ecosystem health, function, and the provisioning of ecosystem services. Prescribed fires are also used to mitigate wildfire risks by reducing fuel loads. Despite these benefits, there are numerous barriers to implementing prescribed fires that might be social, political, ecological, and economic in nature and should be addressed accordingly. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and other collaborative agreements are written tools that public agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private entities use to formally resolve challenges and establish standards and protocols that reduce barriers to prescribed fire use. MOU content provides a rich perspective on prescribed fire issues. This qualitative study uses thematic analysis to investigate MOUs as a mechanism of collective action for fire management. We analyzed n = 21 agreements and identified six emergent themes: 1) Agreements are a mechanism for increasing prescribed fire use and wildfire prevention, 2) Different regulations and requirements are needed depending on which agencies are involved, 3) Agreements exist as an acknowledgement of the need for and benefits of collective action, 4) Agreements have little impact on liability, 5) Trust and reciprocity are increased/developed through agreements, and 6) Agreements delegate authority and roles under specific contexts. These findings demonstrate how formalized agreements might increase the implementation of prescribed fire and how they are used. Moreover, by examining different formalized agreements, we showcase how these agreements differ depending on initial need and partners involved. In doing so, our findings will help land managers and other entities prioritize components of an agreement based in collective action.