Wildfire Risk Management and Policy Frameworks: A Systematic Global Review, Governance and Implications

Abstract

Wildfires are an escalating global threat to ecosystems, human settlements, and critical infrastructure, with most incidents arising from human–environment interactions. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR), conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, to evaluate how policy influences wildfire risk management and contributes to social–ecological resilience. From 138 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2022, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using thematic synthesis and meta-analysis. A total of 479 coded instances were identified across four main themes: wildfire-related policy, management measures, implementation instruments, and resilience frameworks. Findings highlight a strong emphasis on practical strategies such as prescribed burning, mechanical fuel reduction, wildfire suppression, prevention, planning, and public education. While these measures have shown success in reducing wildfire incidences, the review reveals a thematic imbalance: research disproportionately focuses on operational, policy-ready interventions, with limited attention to systemic and conceptual approaches like social-ecological resilience. This reflects broader institutional and funding preferences for quantifiable outcomes, often at the expense of long-term adaptive governance. Additionally, a source diversity analysis shows a predominance of studies from the Global North, though contributions from the Global South add essential context-specific insights. Methodologically, the literature demonstrates strength through a blend of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed approaches. To advance wildfire governance, future research should promote balanced, interdisciplinary frameworks that integrate resilience thinking, expand geographic representation, and incorporate Indigenous and community-based knowledge systems. Such efforts are crucial for developing inclusive, adaptive strategies to address increasingly complex wildfire challenges worldwide.