Linking Forests to Airsheds

Abstract

Wildfire smoke reduction in the western United States presents a regional public good challenge, as local fires send smoke across state lines. This study evaluates households’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) to reduce smoke through forest fuel treatments. A contingent-valuation referendum (N=1,023; WTP n=623) with ex-ante/ex-post choice-purification screens yields a conservative median WTP of $94 to $123 (2021 USD) per year for one avoided smoke day. Valuations are higher among households who trust agencies, report health concerns, and support treatments. Preferences are polarized: 15% reject the prescribed fire smoke tradeoff, showing near-zero WTP. These benefit estimates can inform benefit-cost analysis and budgetary appropriations.