Challenges to ethical assessments of prescribed fire policies

Author(s): Kristen K. Intemann, Mary Farina, Amy Megowan, Azin Rashed

Abstract

There are calls to scale up prescribed burning to mitigate wildfires and promote ecosystem health. It might also produce less smoke pollution since prescribed fires tend to be smaller, burn at a lower intensity, and are planned to minimize emissions in populated areas. Little research has been done, however, on the impacts of prescribed fires on human health. Moreover, even if cumulative smoke pollution is less with prescribed fires than wildfires, particular communities could experience more smoke because of where burning would occur and the ways in which wildfire smoke can travel. More evidence is needed to assess whether there are any disproportionate impacts from scaling up prescribed fires that would raise environmental justice concerns. Obtaining these evidence, however, faces three main challenges: conceptual, methodological, and institutional. We discuss each of these challenges, including some of the ethical value judgments and tradeoffs at stake in the decision-making needed to address them. Finally, we identify strategies that would contribute to our ability to assess the ethical impacts of prescribed burning. Addressing these problems will be important for ensuring that wildfire mitigation policies are fair, but also for facilitating trust and securing public support for prescribed fires.

Citation

Intemann, K. K., Farina, M., Megowan, A., & Rashed, A. (2026). Challenges to ethical assessments of prescribed fire policies. Ethics, Policy & Environment. https://doi.org/10.1080/21550085.2026.2699063