Browse the articles below for information on wildland urban interface issues important to the fire service and emergency responders.
Sensor tests show promise for early detection of wildfires
4 prototype technologies successfully tested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will assist with early detection of wildfires.
Preventing outdoor activities from turning into wildfire disasters
As the weather warms, more people than ever will be spending time recreating outdoors. And, as public land use increases, so does the potential for accidental wildfire ignitions.
Protecting wildland firefighters from smoke exposure
Anticipated 2021 staffing shortages and COVID‑19 make it critical to protect wildland firefighters from smoke exposure this fire season.
Researchers see need for long-range wildfire smoke warnings
A team from Colorado State University found that long-range smoke was associated with increases in hospitalizations and increased risk of death from cardiovascular outcomes.
Effective communication can ignite wildfire safety engagement
Effective communication is one of the keys to creating fire-adapted communities.
Interdependent factors can influence WUI fire home survivability
Several factors usually play a role in whether a home will survive a wildland urban interface fire.
New tools assist wildfire detection and smoke forecasting
Learn about tools the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has to help fire departments detect wildfire and forecast smoke spread.
Wildfire challenges, risk reduction examined in new report
The September 2020 Wildfire Risk report looks at new wildfire challenges, loss statistics and risk reduction methods.
Post-wildfire recovery
Considerations and suggested resources to help communities rebuild and individuals to recover after a wildfire.
InciWeb mapping resource helps communities prepare for wildfire
InciWeb shows where wildfires are burning in areas close to your location, allowing you to better prepare your community for wildfire safety.
Include everyone in community wildfire preparedness
Pre-fire planning tips for wildfire to help ensure that the whole community's resilience is considered.
NIST survey reveals wildfire evacuation factors
A survey of residents who experienced the 2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire in Tennessee leads to a better understanding of wildfire evacuations.
FAA changes rules for public safety drone flights
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) changed a rule that may positively impact your department or agency's unmanned aircraft system (UAS) program.
Fire-adapted communities
Learn what fire-adapted communities are, where they fit into the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, and how to create one.
New graphics highlight wildland firefighter safety messaging
Beautiful graphics from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group that depict the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and the 18 Watch Out Situations are now available for free download.
Minimizing the effects of wildfire smoke during COVID-19
Inform your community about these actionable steps they can take to minimize the respiratory effects of wildfire smoke.
How to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Learn about the history behind the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), the key components, how a CWPP can benefit a community at risk from wildfire, and how to create a plan for your community.
Doing the little things makes a difference in wildfire safety
Learn about simple and low-cost actions that homeowners can take to protect their homes from wildfire.
Addressing wildland fire challenges
The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy helps local fire departments and residents in wildfire-prone regions to create cities and neighborhoods that can survive wildfire events.
Lessons learned at healthcare facilities from recent wildfires
Real-life experiences from the 2017 and 2019 wildfire response in Colorado and California focusing on evacuation, patient tracking, managing planned power shutoffs and planning for the future.
WUI fire evacuations: how national address point data helps
Learn how a national address point database can be of value to incident commanders and emergency managers during wildfire evacuations.
Hospital evacuation challenges during a wildfire
Hospital leadership at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa, California, share their personal and professional experiences on hospital evacuation during the Tubbs Fire.
Free mapping data can assist in planning for evacuations
Free data for small towns looking to develop disaster evacuation plans or improve infrastructure.
Mitigating wildfire vulnerability: one community's success story
Learn how the Montecito Fire Protection District used a socio-ecological mitigation approach to successfully fight the Thomas Fire.
Wildland Urban Interface Chief's Guide
This guide walks fire chiefs and other officials through wildfire planning using the four phases of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Working with youth groups to reduce community wildfire risk
Community wildfire risk reduction is more effective when the whole community is involved. Getting homeowners, civic groups and religious institutions involved goes a long way, but another audience that can be rewarding to work with is youth groups.
Mendocino Complex Fire after action review and lessons learned
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, U.S Forest Service and the Los Angeles Fire Department published a joint paper on last year's Mendocino Complex Fire, discussing openly the multitude of problems facing teams assigned to the incident.
How one homeowner saved his house from the Carr Fire
Learn about wildfire mitigation measures one California homeowner took during construction and maintained over the years to make his home fire-resilient.