Wildland fire and the wilderness visitor experience

Sierra L. Schroeder; Ingrid E. Schneider

Wildland fire and the wilderness visitor experience

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Sierra L. Schroeder, Ingrid E. Schneider

Year:

2010

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

International Journal of Wilderness. 16(1):20-25.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand wilderness visitors' perceptions of wildland fire and describe visitors' wilderness recreational experience following wildland fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Qualitative interviews revealed visitors' perceptions of burned areas as well as if and how activities and behaviors were influenced by wildland fire occurrence. Results indicated that BWCAW visitors predominately perceived burned areas as interesting landscape features worthy of exploration. Route choices did not change due to burned areas but site selection and camping behaviors did. Wilderness planning and management implications include adjusting for spatial displacement and developing education material.

Keywords

wildland fire, wilderness, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, BWCAW

Citation

Schroeder, Sierra L.; Schneider, Ingrid E. 2010. Wildland fire and the wilderness visitor experience. International Journal of Wilderness. 16(1): 20-25.