Research reinforces ways homeowners can increase home survival from wildfire
Homeowners can take practical steps before a wildfire occurs to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and improve the chances of their homes surviving.
For decades, wildfire professionals have encouraged homeowners to create defensible space by reducing or removing combustible materials and vegetation around their homes to reduce risk. A recently published review of wildfire research reinforces those recommendations, highlighting how multiple factors combine to improve a home’s chances during a wildland-urban interface wildfire.
The review, Still Standing: A synthesis of local characteristics influencing housing survivability during WUI wildfires, by Oregon State University researchers Rachel Fields, Erica Fischer and Christopher Dunn, synthesized findings from dozens of studies on homes affected by wildfires in the wildland-urban interface.
Rather than identifying a single factor that determines whether a home survives, researchers found that home survivability is influenced by a combination of characteristics, including the home itself, the surrounding vegetation, neighborhood layout and wildfire suppression actions.
Reducing wildfire risk requires multiple layers of protection. Actions that have saved homes from wildfires include:
- Reducing combustible vegetation near the home
- Strengthening the home against embers, radiant heat and direct flame contact.
These findings align with the wildfire preparedness and risk reduction practices Texas A&M Forest Service encourages through homeowner education and community programs.
The review also found that preparedness priorities may vary depending on how homes and vegetation are arranged within a community.
In rural communities, where natural vegetation on larger lots is common, reducing nearby fuels and maintaining defensible space can play an important role in home survivability. In densely developed neighborhoods, where fire can spread from structure to structure, fire-resistant construction, and the ability of a home to withstand embers, high heat and direct flame contact becomes increasingly important.
Wildfire preparedness also extends beyond individual properties. Collaboration among residents, local officials, fire departments and other community partners can help address wildfire risk across neighborhoods and communities. Programs such as Fire Adapted Communities encourage communities to work together to understand their wildfire risk and take actions that improve their ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfire.
While no action can guarantee a home will survive a wildfire, this review shows that homeowners are not powerless in wildfire-prone areas. Taking practical steps to reduce vegetation, create defensible space and harden homes against direct flames, heat and embers can meaningfully improve survivability and resilience before a wildfire occurs.
Homeowners can learn more about wildfire preparedness and mitigation resources by visiting, tfsweb.tamu.edu/wildfire-and-other-disasters/homeowners-prevention-and-preparedness/prepare-for-wildfires-home/
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
