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.