Nearly a century of successful fire suppression has resulted in dense over-stocked stands prone to catastrophic wildfires. Approximately 190 million acres (77 million ha) of Federally managed land is at risk of catastrophic fire in the near future (U.S. Congress 2003). Across all land ownerships, more than 70 million acres (28 million ha) is at risk for higher than normal mortality from insect infestation and disease, which in turn increases the risk of wildfire and results in watershed degradation, changes species diversity and productivity, diminishes fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases timber values.