Wildfire social science: rigor, traditions, and best practices for an evolving field

Abstract Increased interest in and production of wildfire social science is a positive trend. Yet the increasing breadth and depth of researchers engaging in wildfire social science also suggest a need to constructively reflect on trends in the field and to illuminate considerations that allow for important reflexivity among researchers. This perspective article is intended to provide longitudinal observations that stimulate discussion about continued advancement of quality wildfire social science. We suggest that there is a need for concerted effort to revisit and agree upon what constitutes rigorous social science practice. This includes investment in field-based social science skills and insights to inform research and management processes. We also highlight a need to contextualize the production of new frameworks or theoretical advancements within existing knowledge, using scale-appropriate inquiry. We discuss ways to better incorporate and expand the use of social science throughout the development of wildfire science technologies or methodological approaches. This includes the need for objective, third-party evaluation of ways to use, adapt, and modify what is becoming a wildfire management economy. We close the article with a series of suggestions that researchers can use when considering how their ongoing efforts contribute to a legacy of rigorous wildfire social science traditions and best practices.