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- Info
Structure ignition assessment can help reduce fire damages in the WUI
| Author: |
Cohen, Jack; Saveland, Jim |
| Date: |
1997 |
| Periodical: |
Fire Management Notes |
| Abstract: |
The wildland-urban interface (W-UI) refers to residential areas surrounded by or adjacent to wildland areas. In recent years, significant W-UI residential fire losses have occurred nationwide in the United States that have focused attention on the principal W-UI problem-losses of life and property to fire. W-UI fires with significant residential losses differ from typical residential fires in that W-UI situations usually include the following: • Large numbers of simultaneously exposed structures, • Rapid involvement of residential areas, • Overwhelmed fire-protection capabilities, and • Total loss of residence per structure ignited. Wildland vegetation fuels initially contribute to rapid fire growth. Large areas of burning that result can simultaneously expose numerous structures to flames and, most importantly, can rain firebrands (burning embers) on homes over a wide area. Although advances in firefighting technology and management have produced the most effective firefighting capabilities in history, these advances have not prevented large losses during recent W-UI fires. Severe W-UI fires can destroy whole neighborhoods in a few hours-much faster than the response time of the best firefighting services. |
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