The paradox of the mainstream : health parameters of wildland fire management and cultural burning in NC

The purpose of this project is to better understand the health parameters of wildland firefighters (WFFs) and cultural burners engaged in preventing, managing, and instigating wildland fires in NC (NC). It clarifies the role of cultural and indigenous burning, both historically and contemporaneously, in such wildland firefighting and land management, and potential areas of improvement in the management protocols associated with both wildland fires. My emphasis is on the delivery of usable knowledge as defined—in the context of wildland fires—by Machlis et al (2002) as “research that provides information that managers can use in making decisions, planning programs, and solving problems... usable knowledge to wildland fire managers can also benefit their partners, local governments, stakeholders, and citizens”. My work focuses on WFFs and cultural burners themselves. Such attention addresses a gap in the current body of research, but they are also critical agents of praxis in wildland fire. Finally, the work explores ways the Lumbee Tribe of NC (LTNC) has a unique experience with cultural burning and its interface with health, with potential lessons beyond their own practice.