Wildland-Urban Interface Archives | Page 2 of 3

San Diego Ignores Fire Dangers Too

by Melanie Schlotterbeck on May 16, 2019 with No Comments

We’ve seen this same issue in Orange County. “A new University of California study … [found] that housing and human infrastructure in fire-prone wilderness areas are the main drivers of fire ignitions and structure loss.” And interestingly our Fire Study found the same results of adding people into the wildlands. “Putting houses in the heart of fire country doesn’t just put people in harm’s way. It also increases the risk of fires starting. Studies have found that 97 percent of … Read More

Home Hardening Tips

by Melanie Schlotterbeck on May 2, 2019 with No Comments

There are quite a few helpful tips for homeowners on how to harden your home, including suggestions on: roof tops, windows, vegetation, gutters, decks, chimneys, fencing, etc. Brush clearance helps, but hardening your home provides fewer places for embers to intrude and catch your home on fire. “The state is trying to pull away from the term ‘brush clearance’ and change the mind-set,” says Assistant Chief J. Lopez. “Clearing brush is going to help, but that puts the blame on … Read More

Location Matters More Than Construction

by Melanie Schlotterbeck on December 4, 2018 with No Comments

As USGS Fire Scientist Jon Keeley has already figured out: where fires have happened before they will happen again. That’s what was witnessed in Ventura. We’ve got the fire maps for our hills that prove it also. State building and fire codes can’t keep up with the losses–there is lag time between the disaster and new codes. The science shows that where the houses are built is more important than how they are constructed. Build homes in a Very High … Read More

Study Finds Humans are Changing the Behavior of Wildlife

by Melanie Schlotterbeck on June 29, 2018 with No Comments

Scientific studies have now proven that wildlife are responding to interactions with humans by changing their own time of activity. From hunting to a mere walk in the woods, the animals across the globe are becoming more nocturnal (activities conducted at night.) Remember that when we visit natural lands, we may be enjoying them temporarily, but these lands are considered the permanent “home” for our wild friends. Be a good visitor, please. Read the Los Angeles Times article.

Supervisor Pens Op-Ed on Fire Response

by Melanie Schlotterbeck on April 9, 2018 with No Comments

Supervisor Todd Spitzer penned this Op-Ed on the Canyon Fire 2 response. The response was delayed due to dispatch staff not following protocol on the 911 reports related to the vegetation fire. Check out the Orange County Register article.