Why homes burn and what we can do about it

1. Clark Woodward, CEO RedZone.co 2015 INTERNATIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PRACTITIONERS SYMPOSIUM Why Homes Burn What We Can Do About It Structural Vulnerability Warding off the 3 UGLIES Earthquake, Flood, and Fire

2. Clark Woodward • Entrepreneur in Wildland Fire. CEO of RedZone – Preplanning Applications for State, Federal and Local fire agencies – Wildfire Tracking, Modeling and Notification – Wildfire Risk and Probability models for insurance • GISS Specialist for several Type II and III Incident Management Teams • Former and Future WUI Resident 2

3. 3 Catastrophic Wildfire Losses • 1991 Oakland Hills Fire • Estimated 13 structures per minute igniting • 2003 & 2007 S. California • Approx. 6,000 structures • 32 fatalities • 2011 Bastrop County, TX • 1,600+ homes lost • 2013 Black Forest • 4th Colorado record wildfire loss in 3 years

4. 4 What We Know About Wildfires • Wildfire Loss Exposure is Increasing – Climate Change • Extended Fire Conditions • Flammable Wildland Fuels – Settlement • Increasing development of fire prone areas – Reduced Response Capabilities • Fewer volunteering as emergency responders • Reduced budgets for local resources

5. Wildfire’s Unique Characteristic 5 While the impact area of Hail, Flood and Earthquake events largely overruns the human footprint…

6. …We can change the path of wildfires! 6

7. The Fire Peril • Combustion Requires – Heat, Fuel, Oxygen (Fire Triangle) 7

8. How Homes Ignite Three Heat Transfer Methods Embers (Conductive Heat) May be deposited from long distances (miles) Flame Contact (Convective Heat) Fuels near structure Large Flames (Radiant Heat) Intense Crown Fires Adjacent Structures 8

9. Large Flames • Dangerous heat • Focus of attention • Burn out rapidly 9

10. Embers • Low Heat • Discreet • Windborne 10

11. Surface Flames • Low-Medium heat • Started by embers • Follow fuel to structures 11

12. 12 What We Are Learning About Structure Ignitions • Past Thinking – Follow & fight the big flames – Focus on fuels 100 ft. from homes • Current Knowledge – Low intensity surface fires & embers cause most structural ignitions • Vulnerability to small flames & firebrands • Roofs – roof coverings & flammable debris • Structural Openings • Prevent all flame contact to structures

13. 13

14. 14 2007 Grass Valley Fire, Lake Arrowhead Note this unburned fuel Flame Contact Flame Contact Flame Contact

15. 15 Unburned Fuel Near Structures? The good news: Pre-event mitigation actions are effective in reducing these ignitions • What Does it Suggest? – Large flames did NOT contribute directly to ignition – Low intensity flames or embers likely contributed to ignitions

16. 16 Local Hazards Determine Risk Ignition Zone High Intensity Fire Home survives Low Intensity Fire Home is destroyed

17. IBHS Ember Testing Video 17

18. 18 Video Discussion • All Materials Respond Differently – Vinyl sags from radiant heat (siding) • Flames on Roofs and Wall Surfaces are Problematic – Embers ignite mulch, roof & gutter debris • Research is Ongoing – Ember restrictive vents, intumescent coatings

19. Tools which Support Reduced Fire Risk 1. Code development and enforcement 2. Community Involvement 3. Effective Hazard Assessment 19

20. 1. Code development and enforcement 20 1. The Code of the West is to not have a code 2. Code development often occurs after large events but mainly impacts those rebuilding 3. Code can have a positive impact on new construction 4. Many jurisdictions incorporate “significant remodel” stipulations when applied to existing construction 5. Statewide efforts such as CA have a positive impact when applied uniformly and across a large geographic area

21. 2. Community Involvement • Firewise • Ready, Set, Go • Established programs which drive hazard reduction through education and community action • Promotes individual responsibility rather than punitive codes • Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance! 21

22. 3. Effective Hazard Assessment • IBHS research is giving us new insight into the most frequent actual causes of loss, helping us focus on what’s most important • Wildfire Partners in Boulder, CO – Funded through the Colorado Department of Natural Resources – Detailed field inspections by professionally trained experts – Issues certificates similar to Energy Smart – Annual renewal and follow up 22

23. 23 Times are Changing! • We Need to Fight Wildfires ‘Smarter’ NOT ‘Harder’! – Focus on pre-wildfire mitigation actions! • 98% of wildfire are controlled quickly • 2% of wildfires become ‘Mega Fires’ Bigger isn’t always better!

24. 24 Take Aways • The 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!

25. Resources IBHS www.disastersafety.org International Code Council www.iccsafe.org Firewise www.firewise.org Ready Set Go www.wildlandfirersg.org 25

26. Thank You! Clark Woodward 303-956-9864 cwoodward@redzone.co 26

Why homes burn and what we can do about it

Why homes burn and what we can do about it

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