Abstract Members of the general public sampled in Tucson, Arizona, recognize that fire in forests can be both beneficial and detrimental. Public acceptance and understanding of the purposes and benefits of fire management are high, and additional fire knowledge increases tolerance for fire. While entirely new approaches to fire education do not appear necessary, existing approaches could benefit from modifications that directly address several public concerns. To be most effective, public education should be directed to local forest conditions as well as to local knowledge and acceptance of fire management.