A Fire Revealing Coastal Norway’s Wildland–Urban Interface Challenges and Possible Low-Cost Sustainable Solutions DOI Open Access
Torgrim Log, Anna Marie Gjedrem

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 19(5), P. 3038 - 3038

Published: March 4, 2022

The Calluna vulgaris L. that dominated coastal heathlands of Western Europe were for millennia managed by regular burning cycles improved grazing. Most places in Norway this practice has, however, been neglected over the last 5-7 decades, resulting accumulation above ground biomass including degenerated and successional fire-prone species, e.g., native juniper (Juniperus communis) exotic blacklisted Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). Today, dry periods, heathland represents a fire threat to increasing number homes wildland-urban interface (WUI), as exemplified June 2021 Sotra Island WUI fire. burned 700 ha encroached heathlands, destroyed three buildings, threatened settlements. In present study, was investigated understand development analyse possible risk reducing measures. Photographic material obtained during fire, weather conditions prior involved fuel, spread mechanisms, firefighting response, consequences under slightly changed circumstances analysed. Compared previous fires Norway, step change including, pyrocumulus-like clouds, whirls, 270 m across fjord. Preventive measures based on local context are analysed, engaging voluntary communities remove Sitka, create defensible space. Moreover, strategic breaks terrain, well-managed strengthening existing fuel breaks, lakes, cultivated fields, naked rock, roads, recommended. Mechanical cutting is suggested short-term measure while fenceless grazing may represent long-term solution prevent regrowth. During period record high energy prices, provide free charge firewood make way future food production, line with UN Sustainable Development Goals, risk.

Language: Английский

Wildland-urban fire disasters aren’t actually a wildfire problem DOI Creative Commons
David E. Calkin, Kimiko Barrett,

Jack D. Cohen

et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(51)

Published: Dec. 13, 2023

Dimensionality reduction simplifies high-dimensional data into a small number of representative patterns. One dimensionality method, principal component analysis (PCA), often selects oscillatory or U-shaped patterns, even when such ...Principal (PCA) is method that known for being simple and easy to interpret. Principal components are interpreted as low-dimensional patterns in space. However, this ...

Language: Английский

Citations

32
Fires that matter: reconceptualizing fire risk to include interactions between humans and the natural environment DOI Creative Commons
Virginia Iglesias, E. Natasha Stavros, Jennifer K. Balch

et al.

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(4), P. 045014 - 045014

Published: March 9, 2022

Abstract Increasing fire impacts across North America are associated with climate and vegetation change, greater exposure through development expansion, less-well studied but salient social vulnerabilities. We at a critical moment in the contemporary human-fire relationship, an urgent need to transition from emergency response proactive measures that build sustainable communities, protect human health, restore use of necessary for maintaining ecosystem processes. propose integrated risk factor includes smoke hazard, exposure, vulnerability as method identify ‘fires matter’, is, fires have potentially devastating on our communities. This approach enables pathways delineate prioritise science-informed planning strategies most likely increase community resilience fires.

Language: Английский

Citations

29
Post-wildfire neighborhood change: Evidence from the 2018 Camp Fire DOI Creative Commons
Kathryn McConnell, Christian Braneon

Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 247, P. 104997 - 104997

Published: March 26, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

8
Spatial distribution of wildfire threat in the far north: exposure assessment in boreal communities DOI Creative Commons
Jennifer I. Schmidt,

Robert Ziel,

Monika P. Calef

et al.

Natural Hazards, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 120(5), P. 4901 - 4924

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Abstract Increased wildfire activity has raised concerns among communities about how to assess and prepare for this threat. There is a need hazard assessment approaches that capture local variability inform decisions, produce results understood by the public, are updatable in timely manner. We modified an existing approach decadal hazards based primarily on ember dispersal proximity, referencing landscape changes from 1984 through 2014. Our modifications created categorical flammability scheme, rather than dichotomous, integrated exposure across spatial scales. used remote sensed land cover four historical points create maps three arctic (Anchorage Fairbanks, Alaska Whitehorse, Yukon). Within Fairbanks study area, we compared 2014 hazard, exposure, FlamMap burn probabilities burned (2014–2023) unburned areas. Unlike probabilities, there were significantly higher values locations (Wilcoxon; p < 0.001) rose as classes increased (Kruskal–Wallis; 0.001). Very high class supported 75% of areas burns tended occur with 60% or greater. Areas more prone thus desirable mitigation actions. By working practitioners communities, tool rapidly assesses easily help identify prioritize activities.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
Wildland–Urban Interface: Definition and Physical Fire Risk Mitigation Measures, a Systematic Review DOI Creative Commons
Flavio Taccaliti, Raffaella Marzano, Tina L. Bell

et al.

Fire, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(9), P. 343 - 343

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Due to the associated fire risk, wildland–urban interface (WUI) has drawn attention of researchers and managers from a range backgrounds. From land management point view, it is important identify WUI determine areas prioritise for risk prevention. It also know mitigation measures available select most appropriate each specific context. In this systematic review, definitions were investigated physical reducing examined perspective. The PRISMA 2020 Statement was applied records published until 31 December 2022 retrieved Web Science, Scopus, other research engines. A total 162 publications scientific journals grey literature scrutinised selected analysis. Only providing an original definition or proposing reduce at retained, while those relating emergency social perception not considered. bias reduced by internal cross-assessment team. Definitions (n = 40 publications) changed according objective, varying broadly in identification anthropogenic wildland components interface. Terminology varied definition, term wildland–human (WHI) found be more comprehensive than WUI. Methodological ranged using aggregated data through buildings with considerable precision. Five categories 128 identified: clearance distances, landscaping, fuel management, planning, design materials. effective early stages urban development, maintenance assets vegetation crucial preparedness. This review represents analysis evidence on which can base their actions hazard number studies investigating considerable, but experimental quantitative results are scarce, better communication coordination among groups agencies advisable. registered.

Language: Английский

Citations

13
Modelling the vulnerability of urban settings to wildland–urban interface fires in Chile DOI Creative Commons
Paula Aguirre, Jorge León, Constanza González-Mathiesen

et al.

Natural hazards and earth system sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(4), P. 1521 - 1537

Published: May 2, 2024

Abstract. Wildland–urban interface (WUI) regions are particularly vulnerable to wildfires due their proximity both nature and urban developments, posing significant risks lives property. To enhance our understanding of the risk profiles in WUI areas, we analysed seven fire case studies central Chile. We developed a mixed-method approach for conducting local-scale analyses, which involved field surveys, remote-sensing through satellite drone imagery, GIS-based analysis collected data. The methodology led generation georeferenced dataset damaged undamaged dwellings, including 16 variables representing physical characteristics, spatial arrangement, availability suppression resources. A binary classification model was then used assess relative importance these attributes as indicators vulnerability. revealed that arrangement factors have greater impact on damage prediction than structural conditions preparedness individual units. Specifically, such dwelling neighbours, distance vegetation, border groups, from origin substantially contribute damage. Other associated with less affluent homes may also increase likelihood damage, although further data required confirmation. This study provides insights design, planning, governance areas Chile, aiding development mitigation strategies built structures broader territorial area.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Progress and Prospects for predicting wildfire spread through the wildland-urban interface DOI
Owen Price, Stefania Ondei, David M. J. S. Bowman

et al.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 105392 - 105392

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Respiratory Health Impacts from Natural Disasters and Other Extreme Weather Events: The Role of Environmental Stressors on Asthma and Allergies DOI
Chih‐Ping Chou,

Raquel Winker,

Meghan E. Rebuli

et al.

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: May 21, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
An analysis of factors influencing structure loss resulting from the 2018 Camp Fire DOI Creative Commons
Austin Troy,

Jason J. Moghaddas,

D. A. Schmidt

et al.

International Journal of Wildland Fire, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(6), P. 586 - 598

Published: May 17, 2022

Despite the intensity of 2018 Camp Fire, many structures survived in heavily burned areas. Logistic regressions were run to determine which structural and parcel characteristics predicted structure survival using two data sets. The first, CAL FIRE’s Damage Inspections (DINS) dataset, included 14 518 destroyed 622 partially damaged structures. second, combining information from DINS Defensible Space (DINS+DSPACE) databases, had more attributes was better balanced between (n = 728) surviving 676) structures, but much smaller. Several approaches compared for filtering out records with null values. Results largely consistent previously literature, finding that hardness factors (e.g. double-paned windows, enclosed eaves, ignition-resistant roofs siding, no vents, etc.) are important determining survival. Newer built after California’s recent (2005 2007) fire safe building code updates, likely survive, as homes higher improvement Mobile far be destroyed. role fuel mitigation around less conclusive; defensible space clearance only a weak association survival, although DINS+DSPACE results suggested slight reduction risk due removing leaves needles gutters/roofs keeping surrounding dead grass mowed.

Language: Английский

Citations

16
Relationships between building features and wildfire damage in California, USA and Pedrógão Grande, Portugal DOI Creative Commons
Simona Dossi, Birgitte Messerschmidt, Luís Mário Ribeiro

et al.

International Journal of Wildland Fire, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(2), P. 296 - 312

Published: Dec. 22, 2022

Background Buildings in communities near wildlands, the wildland–urban interface (WUI), can experience wildfire damage. Aims To quantitatively assess relationship between building features and damage, a resistance index is developed validated with 2013–2017 CAL FIRE (DINS) database from California, USA, 2017 Pedrógão Grande Fire Complex post-fire investigation Portugal. Methods Three statistical dependence tests are compared to evaluate selected The Wildfire Resistance Index (WRI), range: [–1, 1], proposed as rating for susceptibility. Key results most correlated damage presence of vent screens deck materials exterior walls material For Portugal, WRI increases by 50%, linear regression estimates 48% decrease proportion highly damaged buildings, 42% increase low buildings (R2 0.93 0.90, respectively). A total 65% California = 1 were destroyed, average 85% ≥−0.33. Conclusions quantifies experienced two diverse WUI regions. Implications could be used an estimator but it needs further development.

Language: Английский

Citations

16