Human desires and fears in ecologically rational wildland fire management

While natural areas are generally perceived as desirable havens by city dwellers, the potential danger of fire is not always fully appreciated. People may correctly perceive the risk, but are unwilling to compromise their version of natural and aesthetically pleasing surroundings because environmental fears and desires are based largely on emotions rather than logic. Computer ''visualization'' technology may be more effective than words in motivating realistic response to fire danger in the wildland-urban interface.