Fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface
This fact sheet series provides information for home- and landowners about fire issues in the wildland-urban interface. Click on the links to view the fact sheets.
Many Floridians live close to or within
natural ecosystems of Florida in an area termed
the wildland-urban interface. The wildlands
associated with the interface depend on fire to
maintain biodiversity and health. In the absence
of fire, vegetation quickly grows, creating fuel
for very intense wildfire. In many wildlands,
fire in these ecosystems is inevitable because of
lightning or human-caused ignitions. With this
threat of wildfire, the serenity of living in these
environments can be disrupted. Because of the
differences in plant species, soils, and water
availability, wildfire frequency and intensity
vary among the ecosystems which are associated
with the wildland-urban interface.
This is a guide for making local firewise plant lists that can assist local homeowners with firewise landscaping. It includes a step-by-step method for determining whether or not a particular plant is appropriate for firewise landscaping. Extension agents, nursery personnel, landscape architects, and urban foresters can use this publication for preparing local firewise plant lists.
Many people move to woodland or other natural areas
to be closer to nature and to escape urban stress. These
homeowners tend to value landscaping that emphasizes
scenic beauty, wildlife viewing, privacy, and shade. They
may prefer native plants around their homes to enhance
wildlife habitat. They may be interested in conserving water
and energy for economic and environmental benefits. There
are several landscaping programs that help homeowners
achieve these goals, such as the Backyard Wildlife Habitat™
program that focuses on improving wildlife habitat around
the home to enhance wildlife viewing.
One of the major issues in the southern wildland-urban interface
is the loss of homes to wildfire. For homeowners who
live in an area with a medium to high risk of wildfire, this
document provides useful information for protecting your
property (see University of Florida/IFAS publication FOR 71
“Landscaping in Florida with Fire in Mind” to determine your
wildfire risk, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR076; New wildfire risk
assessment guidelines for homeowners in the southern USA
were released in the summer of 2004 by the University of
Florida/IFAS at http://www.interfacesouth.org/fire/
WildfireRAGH.pdf). While fire control agencies play an
important role in fire prevention and the protection of
homes, there are actions that individual homeowners can
take to reduce the vulnerability of their home to wildfire.
Creating an area of defensible space is one of the most
important actions. Defensible space is defined as an area of
modified vegetation between natural areas (e.g., woodlands)
and homes that breaks up the continuity of plants and allows
firefighters to protect the home or, in absence of firefighters,
allows the home to better survive on its own. Recommendations
for defensible space suggest maintaining an area
extending at least 30 feet outward from a house with plants
that are low in flammability (referred to as firewise plants).
Wildland fires pose a serious threat to human life and property
when homes are built in fire-prone ecosystems. Several
factors influence the intensity of wildfires and their potential
to damage or destroy structures. Developing a basic understanding
of the factors that determine wildfire movement and
intensity (collectively called fire behavior) will allow homeowners
and builders to assess fire hazard on their property
and determine what they can do to minimize their risk.
Research has shown that the most important factors influencing
building survival during a wildfire are fire intensity,
vegetation characteristics, and building materials (especially
roofing). Strategies for protecting homes from wildfires have
been developed with these factors in mind. This fact sheet
examines factors that affect fire behavior, provides strategies
to reduce fire risk, and gives examples of risk reduction.
