Threats from wildland fires grow each year due in part to the long-term effects of past land management practices and aggressive fire suppression over the last 100 years.  Reducing the build-up of hazardous fuels is a priority for all federal and state land management agencies as outlined by the National Fire Plan of 2000.  Since 2002, BLM Colorado has focused its fuels reduction efforts on areas near communities and subdivisions known as the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Approximately 60 percent of the acres treated for fuels reduction in Colorado are focused within the WUI.   Each year, thousands of acres of hazardous fuels are targeted for treatment. The ability to accomplish these targets depends on several factors such as budget, drought, fire bans, smoke restrictions, and fire conditions; as well as community interest and involvement. Collaboration and cooperation with other agencies, landowners, and the public is a major factor in selecting future projects.

Innovation and collaboration with local landowners and communities is imperative for success of the fuels program in the future.