PowerPoint Presentation

Clark Woodward, CEO RedZone.co2015 INTERNATIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PRACTITIONERS SYMPOSIUMWhy Homes Burn What We Can Do About ItStructural Vulnerability Warding off the 3 UGLIESEarthquake, Flood, and Fire

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Clark WoodwardEntrepreneur in Wildland Fire. CEO of RedZonePreplanning Applications for State, Federal and Local fire agenciesWildfire Tracking, Modeling and NotificationWildfire Risk and Probability models for insurance

GISS Specialist for several Type II and III Incident Management Teams

Former and Future WUI Resident 2

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Catastrophic Wildfire Losses1991 Oakland Hills FireEstimated 13 structures per minute igniting

2003 & 2007 S. CaliforniaApprox. 6,000 structures32 fatalities

2011 Bastrop County, TX1,600+ homes lost

2013 Black Forest4th Colorado record wildfire loss in 3 years

4What We Know About WildfiresWildfire Loss Exposure is IncreasingClimate ChangeExtended Fire ConditionsFlammable Wildland FuelsSettlementIncreasing development of fire prone areasReduced Response CapabilitiesFewer volunteering as emergency respondersReduced budgets for local resources

Wildfires Unique Characteristic5

While the impact area of Hail, Flood and Earthquake events largely overruns the human footprint

We can change the path of wildfires!

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The Fire PerilCombustion RequiresHeat, Fuel, Oxygen (Fire Triangle)7

This will cover the methods of heat transfer (radiation, convection, conduction) and the processes of structural ignition. Past programs have not focused enough on the HIZ but rather fire behavior factors (fuels, weather, topo). 7

How Homes IgniteThree Heat Transfer Methods

Embers (Conductive Heat)May be deposited from long distances (miles)Flame Contact (Convective Heat)Fuels near structureLarge Flames (Radiant Heat)Intense Crown FiresAdjacent Structures

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----- Meeting Notes (12/9/14 11:13) -----describe how embers ignite surface firesdescribe going from large flame to ember ignition thinkinginsert photos that show large flames, embers, etc. Clark photos

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Large Flames

Dangerous heat

Focus of attention

Burn out rapidly9

Embers

Low Heat

Discreet

Windborne

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Surface Flames

Low-Medium heat

Started by embers

Follow fuel to structures

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12What We Are Learning About Structure IgnitionsPast Thinking Follow & fight the big flamesFocus on fuels 100 ft. from homes

Current KnowledgeLow intensity surface fires & embers cause most structural ignitionsVulnerability to small flames & firebrandsRoofs roof coverings & flammable debrisStructural OpeningsPrevent all flame contact to structures

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2007 Grass Valley Fire, Lake Arrowhead

Note this unburned fuelFlame ContactFlame Contact

Flame Contact

15Unburned Fuel Near Structures?The good news: Pre-event mitigation actions are effective in reducing these ignitionsWhat Does it Suggest?Large flames did NOT contribute directly to ignition

Low intensity flames or embers likely contributed to ignitions

16Local Hazards Determine Risk

Ignition Zone

High Intensity FireHome survivesLow Intensity FireHome is destroyed

IBHS Ember Testing Video

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18Video DiscussionAll Materials Respond DifferentlyVinyl sags from radiant heat (siding)

Flames on Roofs and Wall Surfaces are ProblematicEmbers ignite mulch, roof & gutter debris

Research is OngoingEmber restrictive vents, intumescent coatings

Tools which Support Reduced Fire RiskCode development and enforcementCommunity Involvement Effective Hazard Assessment

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1. Code development and enforcement20The Code of the West is to not have a codeCode development often occurs after large events but mainly impacts those rebuildingCode can have a positive impact on new constructionMany jurisdictions incorporate significant remodel stipulations when applied to existing constructionStatewide efforts such as CA have a positive impact when applied uniformly and across a large geographic area

2. Community Involvement FirewiseReady, Set, Go

Established programs which drive hazard reduction through education and community actionPromotes individual responsibility rather than punitive codesMaintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!

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3. Effective Hazard AssessmentIBHS research is giving us new insight into the most frequent actual causes of loss, helping us focus on whats most important

Wildfire Partners in Boulder, COFunded through the Colorado Department of Natural ResourcesDetailed field inspections by professionally trained expertsIssues certificates similar to Energy Smart Annual renewal and follow up

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23Times are Changing!We Need to Fight Wildfires Smarter NOT Harder!Focus on pre-wildfire mitigation actions!98% of wildfire are controlled quickly2% of wildfires become Mega Fires

Bigger isnt always better!

24Take AwaysThe Wildfire Problem is Growing

Homes are Ignited Due to Fuels On, and Adjacent to, Structures

Wildfire Risk can be Effectively Reduced

You Can Make This Happen!

ResourcesIBHS www.disastersafety.orgInternational Code Councilwww.iccsafe.orgFirewisewww.firewise.orgReady Set Gowww.wildlandfirersg.org

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Thank You!

Clark Woodward303-956-9864cwoodward@redzone.co

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