ABSTRACT
The rapid urbanization of America during the latter part of the 20th century has created significant social, economic, and environmental demands on land and land-based resources. Although these demands and the change they bring about exist throughout America, they are particularly acute within the regions encompassing the wildland-urban interface surrounding major metropolitan areas. Residential, commercial, and industrial land needs have pushed outward from urban core areas like spreading wildfire, the extent of land-use change being largely determined by the winds of economic growth. These rapid changes in land use on the
fringe have created a confusing array of forest management issues. Those responsible for managing forest resources are increasingly faced with a myriad of complex issues with which they are only partially equipped to deal.
