To ensure that wildland vegetation is managed in a manner that provides for public safety, and at the same time preserves the environment, BLM fuel program managers work hand in hand with other natural resource specialists to assess fuels which can feed wildland fires. Together, these professionals develop vegetation management strategies which address hazardous fuel loading within the Wildland Urban Interface (areas where homes and human lives are adjacent to public wildlands). Plans are put in place which provide for vegetative growth that is sustainable both environmentally and economically.

 

A broad range of tools are used to ensure on-the-ground conditions are met to reduce and manage fuels. These include: prescribed fire; mechanical treatments; biological treatment; and the judicious use of herbicide applications to control undesirable exotic or invasive species. Before any of these tools are utilized, careful consideration is given to potential impacts. Federal land management agencies are required to analyze any fuel management technique and its impact to air quality, water quality, public safety, firefighter safety, threatened and endangered species and other environmental concerns.