Urban-wildland interface management: The integration of fire and ecosystem management

Urban communities continue to expand into wildland and forested areas. However, the development process does not necessarily remove the entire habitat or associated natural resources. A blend of urban development and natural habitat often are incorporated into the project design, and many are on the interface fringe of the developed community. While fire safety in the urban-wildland interface is often a primary concern, interface ecosystem management (IEM) also includes active management of the urban forest as well as the wildlands, often incorporating traditional natural resource management principles. IEM requires management of all environmental resources in and adjacent to urban areas in coordination with developed environments within communities. As communities expand into open space and wildland or forested areas, the natural resources in the interface zone are subject to increased human impact. The effective management of the resources is essential to their long-term health and vigor. however, when urban development interfaces with natural open space and native vegetation, the risk of wildfire plays a prominent role in the management approach of adjacent natural resources. The role of fire within the native ecosystem must be clearly identified and incorporated into the management program.