Fire is a natural process that can be beneficial to an ecosystem and contribute to the look and function of a type of landscape. However, an unintentional wildfire can be dangerous and devastating to human life and property as well as to critical habitat for endangered and other species. Certainly the flames from a fire are known to be dangerous, but of equal if not more concern is the smoke that can result in property damage and severe health issues, potentially at locations far beyond the reach of the flames. Of the three factors that influence the behavior of wildfire - weather, topography and fuel - we are only able to control fuel, which includes both natural (grasses and trees) and man-made (fences and homes) fuels. Thus the strategies for mitigating, though not eliminating, the potential for the ignition, spreading and threats of wildfire should take into consideration the type, arrangement, and health of plant material, location of wooden fences and decks, and the vulnerability of structures.