Sarah McCaffrey
Sarah M. McCaffrey is a research social scientist for the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Her research focuses on the social aspects of fire management. This work has included National Fire Plan and Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP)-sponsored projects examining the characteristics of effective communication programs and the social acceptability of prescribed fire, thinning, and defensible space. Ongoing research is examining issues related to long-term maintenance of defensible space, biomass utilization, voluntary and involuntary incentives for fostering defensible space, and the role of volunteer fire departments in wildfire management.
More recently, McCaffrey has begun work on the social issues that occur during fires. This includes examining alternatives to evacuation, such as Australia’s Stay and
Defend or Leave Early approach, and a JFSP project examining public views of appropriate management response.
McCaffrey received her PhD in Wildland Resource Science from the University of California at Berkeley, where her research examined Incline Village, Nevada homeowner views and actions in relation to defensible space and fuel management. Beyond better understanding the public-wildfire interaction, Dr. McCaffrey has an interest in the interaction of culture and resource management and in the development of effective outreach programs.
Related Resources from Speaker
Public Response to Wildfire: Is the Australian “Stay and Defend or Leave Early” Approach an Option for Wildfire Management in the United States?
with Alan Rhodes, Journal of Forestry, 2009
No Need to Reinvent the Wheel: Applying Existing Social Science Theories to Wildfire
With Yoshitaka Kumagai, "People, Fire and Forests: A Synthesis of Wildfire Social Science," 2007