Wildland Urban Interphase

 Risk management in the wildland/urban interface (WUI)—the area where human development meets or intermixes with wildland fuels—requires a unique approach that bridges the gap between traditional urban (structural) and wildland firefighting. Because firefighters are traditionally trained to handle either structural fires or wildland fires, risk management in the WUI relies on  cross-training  personnel to understand both environments, ensuring they can safely suppress fires involving both buildings and vegetation and often on a lager size or complexity.  Example:  - do structural city fire crews know visibility limitations of heavy equipment or helicopter safety  - do wildfire forestry crews know power line or hazmat hazards Risk management in an urban conflagration or wildfire asset interface create transformational activities that are not always routine involving specialized tactics: Comprehensive Hazard Assessments:  Risk management in the WUI relie...

Temporary refuge areas (TRA) assist firefighters from radiant heat when the flame front has caught up to emergency workers. When lookouts, anchors, communications and escape routes have failed and safety zone is too far away a TRA might still save the team. A temporary refuge area is used as a last-resort survival option when sudden changes in fire behavior prevent firefighters from reaching a planned escape route or safety zone. Unlike an ideal safety zone—which is an area clear of flammable materials where you can survive the passing fire without a fire shelter—a temporary refuge provides emergency shelter to shield you from radiant heat. Here are the primary options and characteristics for a temporary refuge: Structures:  If you must use a building, prepare it rapidly by clearing away outside combustibles, closing all windows and heavy drapes, and bringing charged hoses and fire extinguishers inside. Once inside, stay on the main floor and keep away from windows, basements, and ...

  Structure Protection Strategy  in the wildfire community interface are 1)  defensive  (taking action before the fire front like wetting or removing fuel), 2)  offensive  (attacking the fire directly before or after it reaches structures) , or 3) a  combination  of both. Ultimately, the most effective form of structure protection is to suppress the wildfire first using conventional wildland tactics like line construction, enveloping, and firing out. Structural Protection Unit - SPU c/w sprinklers, pumps and portable water tanks  can be Type 1,2, or 3 (as seen in photo) Specific Tactical Actions  Based on the structural triage categories we discussed earlier, firefighters deploy specific tactics depending on whether a home is defensible: For Non-Defensible Structures (No Safety Zone): Check and Go (Rescue Drive-by):  A rapid evaluation to check for occupants and assist in evacuations when extreme fire behavior or lack of time makes ...

 

Defensible: only with sprinkler support - embers/sparks can get under would decks, vegetation dense at rear of house Defensible: deciduous trees (lower volatility) with ladder fuels removed, metal sideing as oppssed to wood. What is Structural Triage?  During a wildfire,  structural triage  is the rapid assessment process firefighters use to decide which homes can be safely and effectively defended. Because resources are limited and life safety is the top priority, firefighters categorize structures into a few main groups: Standalone / Not Threatened:  The property has a good "safety zone" and clear defensible space. It has very few tactical challenges and will likely survive the fire front with little to no active firefighter intervention. Defensible (Prep and Hold):  The home is threatened by the fire, but it has a safety zone. Firefighters can safely stay on-site to prep the structure and actively defend it as the fire passes. Non-Defensible (Prep and Leave /...

Hand tools for fire guards, brush removal and direct attack in low intensity (incipient) fire. Situational awareness for command, crew placement and water drops are helicopter jobs. Structure Protection Strategy  WUI firefighting strategies can be  defensive  (taking action before, during, or after the fire front passes),  offensive  (attacking the fire directly before it reaches structures), or a  combination  of both. Ultimately, the most effective form of structure protection is to suppress the wildfire first using conventional wildland tactics like line construction, enveloping, and firing out. Specific Tactical Actions  Based on the structural triage categories we discussed earlier, firefighters deploy specific tactics depending on whether a home is defensible: For Non-Defensible Structures (No Safety Zone): Check and Go (Rescue Drive-by):  A rapid evaluation to check for occupants and assist in evacuations when extreme fire behavior or ...