Forest management, a form of land-management, often deals with the control of forestry related activities. It may include the scheduling and allocation of resource harvesting, the elimination of disease and invasive species, and the conservation of natural resources for public use. It is a protection mechanism used to maximize the public benefit of federal lands.
As defined by the USFS, the WUI is an "area where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland". In short, it is the frontier boundary where natural systems border anthropocentric activity.
The burning, thinning, and management of vegetation aims to promote a healthy and diverse ecosystem while protecting key species. Overcrowding, disease, and invasive species pose threats to the natural system and increase competition for critical nutrients. Management methods are intended to limit competition, eliminate or mitigate disease and invasive species.
Hazardous fuel load is an accumulation of vegetative and biological debris that is easily burned. It may consist of fallen trees, leaves, pine straw, and other growth that burns at a lower temperature when compared to larger structures like trees. While the material will break down organically, it poses a fire risk when the environmental conditions are favorable and breakdown rates are slow.
The USFS and government agencies use three primary methods of mitigation: mechanical, chemical, and prescribed burning.
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