Wildland fires are an integral component of the ecosystems of tropical pine rocklands and subtropical pine flatwoods. Fuels such as leaf litter and understory vegetation accumulated rapidly and in less than a decade can reach dangerous levels that can drastically increase fire intensity in both prescribed fires and wildfires. Land use changes in the regions occupied by these forests have resulted in the exclusion of fire from many areas that formerly burned frequently. Land development has resulted in a mix of land uses, some of which make fire management difficult. These changes have created challenges for both prescribed fire application and the mitigation of wildfire risks.