putting or placing something "on the front burner" means that it is important, or a priority. (an unimportant event or person could be said to be on the "back burner") From the setup of a cooking range, where items on the front burner are closer to you and can be watched over more easily and effectively.

Something of higher priority.

1. an attractive female, so hot that she is the large, front burner on the stove.

On a soap opera, a story that gets coverage everyday.

getting immediate attention