Because more and more houses are built near forested areas, forest managers have been practicing fire exclusion to prevent naturally occurring forest fires since they might threaten those residential areas. But this is not a good idea. According to Professor David Meyer, environmental scientist and forest management expert from Essex University, "fire exclusion is risky because it makes it more difficult to fight fires when they do happen, which in turn, poses greater risk to the people who fight fires and for those who live in and around the area."