Table 2 Mean response to statements on the knowledge, risk and trust scales (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree)

Knowledge and experiences (n = 426)

 I know people who have used prescribed burning

40%

6%

12%

16%

26%

2.81

1.68

 I have taken higher education classes on ecosystem management and prescribed burning

67%

8%

9%

9%

8%

1.83

1.34

 I have taken a training course on ecosystem management and prescribed burning

70%

6%

7%

10%

7%

1.79

1.33

 I have experience conducting a prescribed burn

72%

6%

8%

6%

7%

1.70

1.27

 I have been trained to conduct a prescribed burn

75%

5%

7%

5%

7%

1.64

1.25

 I have enough experience and qualifications to be a burn boss

82%

6%

8%

2%

3%

1.39

0.94

Grand mean

1.86

1.30

Risk perceptions (n = 429)

 Prescribed fire often harms human health (e.g., smoke)

20%

29%

26%

22%

3%

2.61

1.13

 Prescribed fire could harm native plants and trees

23%

31%

23%

20%

3%

2.49

1.14

 Prescribed fire can cause soil erosion

27%

34%

25%

12%

2%

2.28

1.04

 Animals are unable to find safety during prescribed fires

27%

45%

16%

10%

3%

2.17

1.02

 Prescribed fire harms wildlife and destroys their habitat

32%

37%

19%

10%

2%

2.14

1.06

 Prescribed fire can reduce water quality

33%

33%

27%

6%

1%

2.08

0.95

 Prescribed fire reduces aesthetic/recreational benefits important to me

36%

33%

19%

10%

2%

2.08

1.05

 Prescribed fire typically causes damage to private property

39%

31%

21%

7%

2%

2.03

1.04

 Prescribed fire and wildfires are equally dangerous to the public safety

47%

28%

12%

10%

3%

1.94

1.11

Grand mean

2.20

1.06

Trust in Implementors (n = 430)

 I trust that trained resource management professionals have the skills needed to conduct a burn safely

3%

5%

10%

37%

45%

4.17

0.98

 I trust state agencies will do a good job setting the prescribed fire standards

4%

8%

13%

38%

37%

3.96

1.08

 I trust state agencies to run programs that promote the use of prescribed fire on private lands

5%

8%

18%

32%

37%

3.89

1.14

 I trust that trained landowners have the skills needed to conduct a burn safely

15%

16%

24%

34%

11%

3.10

1.24

Grand mean

3.78

1.11