Summary

Congress continues to face questions about forestry practices, funding levels, and the federal role in wildland fire protection. Recent fire seasons have been, by most standards, among the worst in the past half century. In addition, many factors contribute to the threat of wildlife damages. Two major factors are the decline in forest and rangeland health and the expansion of residential areas into wildlands. It should also be recognised that, as long as biomass, drought and high winds exist, catastrophic wildfires will occur. This book presents results of completed questionnaires and focus group comments organised around reactions to and beliefs about wildfires and wildfire management. This book also focuses on options for protecting structures and for protecting wildlands and natural resources from wildfires. The book begins with a brief overview of the nature of wildfires, followed by a discussion of protecting structures. Wildlife damages to wildlands and natural resources are also discussed, as well as fuel treatment options and their benefits and limitations, and public involvement in federal decisions. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.