Preventing Fires in the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI)

So far, this year the United States has experienced 52,699 wildfires. These fires have burned nearly 9 million acres, destroyed 8,700 structures, and claimed 23 lives, and will cost insurers $3 billion.

NFPA 1452 defines the wildland/urban interface (WUI) as “the presence of a structure in locations in which the AHJ determines that topographical features, vegetation fuel types, local weather conditions, and prevailing winds result in the potential for ignition of the structures within the area from flames and firebrands of a wildland fire”. According to the Verisk 2017 Wildfire Risk Analysis nearly 4.5 million homes meet this definition, and are considered to be at high or extreme risk of wildfire.

What can fire prevention organizations do to mitigate the wildland fire risk and how can we prepare our communities for these wildfire disasters?

A house threatened by wildfire, by USDA

The critical area that homeowners have the most control over is known as the “structure ignition zone”. This is a radial area around the home of up to 200 ft.  NFPA 1452, Chapter 9, recommends the following actions should be completed to prevent ignition from nearby flames or floating firebrands.

1. Maintain a buffer zone of at least 30 feet around the home. Plant only  high-moisture, drought resistant, and low-flammability vegetation next to, and within the first 6 feet of, the home’s foundation.
2. Use only noncombustible roof materials.
3. Ensure that the roof and gutters are always clean or debris, pine needles, and dead leaves.
4. Install 1⁄4 in. mesh metal screens over foundation and eave vents
5. Enclose the sides of stilt foundations and decks
6. Providing metal screens or spark arresters on chimneys
7. Maintain access to emergency water supply sources such as, swimming pools, wells, ponds, and lakes.
8. Follow all local open burning regulations.

Residents living within the wildland/urban interface should be prepared for evacuations in the event that mitigation's fail, or extreme circumstances prevail.  Residents can be prepared for wildfire by making the following arrangements.

1. Have an evacuation plan, and be knowledgeable of exit routes and shelter locations.
2. Inventory the home and possessions with videos or photographs.
3. Secure important documents off-premises (safe-deposit box, etc.).
4. Identify those important items to be brought in the evacuation.
5. Keep a bag of personal care hygiene items, for use at evacuation shelters.

For more information and tools on the wildland/urban interface, homeowner safety, and firefighting operations, a valuable resource is the NFPA Firewise USA website at, FireWise.org.