Wyoming study shows people want more focus on fire prevention

CHEYENNE — A recent study from the University of Wyoming shows a majority of Americans, particularly those in the Mountain West, want to see a shift in how wildfires are managed.

Researchers say they’ve found a misalignment between federal policy and public priorities. The current system focuses heavily on fire suppression, a reactive approach that responds to cases of emergency fire management needs when wildfires begin or start to spread.

The other part of wildfire management is in prevention, a more proactive approach that can potentially make wildfire situations more manageable. The UW survey has found so far that most people want to see more focus on this aspect.

However, this doesn’t mean the study suggests choosing one option over the other. Rather, it indicates a preference for