On Friday, May 15, 2015 ICLR held a Friday Forum workshop entitled 'The risk reduction status of recovering wildfire impacted communities in Canada' led by retired Parks Canada fire expert and consultant Alan Westhaver. More than 722 homes were destroyed, thousands of local residents were subjected to untold suffering, and over $1 billion in insured losses resulted when wildfires burned into Kelowna, BC (2003) and Slave Lake, AB (2011). Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI) disasters can be averted if residents take proactive measures (i.e. FireSmart) to reduce the risk of home ignitions. Recovery efforts following the Kelowna and Slave Lake catastrophes provide an opportunity to ask an important question: “To what degree have homeowners actually adopted FireSmart measures to mitigate the risk of future wildfire losses?” To answer that question a recent investigation, sponsored by ICLR, examined homes and properties rebuilt following the 2003 and 2011 wildfires. Modified hazard assessments were conducted on nearly 450 of these homes to evaluate 20 hazard factors related to structural, vegetation/fuel, topographic, and ignition potential. This session provided insight into the WUI fire problem, and results of the unique study were presented.

1. Risk reduction status of recovering wildfire
impacted communities in Canada
Alan Westhaver, M.Sc.
ForestWise Environmental Consulting Ltd.
1

2. Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 2
Presentation objectives
• Raise awareness about wildland and urban
interface fire disasters.
• Release results and conclusions of a recent
study regarding the effectiveness of programs
to reduce wildfire losses.
• Discuss applications of study results.

3. Wildland fires don’t have
to be disasters
• A different kind of disaster.
• This is a solvable problem.
• We can reduce wildfire risk.
• There is great hope…
• But, “we” are not prepared.
• So… we worry!
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 3

4. Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 4
A unique study
“To what degree have homeowners adopted
measures to reduce the risk of wildfire
losses”
• Early studies on WUI knowledge and attitudes.
• This study focused on wildfire precautions
actually taken in communities recovering from
past disasters.
• Measures effectiveness of existing wildfire risk
mitigation programs.

5. Wildfire disasters
Kelowna, British Columbia and Slave Lake, Alberta
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 5

6. Key differences:
• Wildfire environment.
- vegetation, fire cycle
- drought, weather
• Geography.
• Time frame.
- Season, progression
• Municipal situation.
Two distinct wildfire disaster scenarios
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 6

7. Different, but typical!
• Representative of the Canadian situation.
• Window on
the future.
• If…
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 7
Wildfire
evacuations from
1980 to 2007

8. Home losses
Kelowna (238)
• ~206 urban homes
• ~32 rural homes
Slave Lake (484)
• 428 urban homes
• 56 rural homes
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 8

9. The wildland and urban interface
fire problem
• What is a wildland fire?
- Fire burning in native vegetation
• What is the WUI?
- a place?
√ conditions allowing structures
to ignite from flames or embers.
• What is a WUI fire?
- Wildfire spreads to urban fuel.
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 9

10. Complex nature of WUI fire
• Rapid fire spread, extreme
conditions.
• Structural and wildland fuel.
• Many structures ignited.
• Large numbers of people.
• Extraordinary risk.
• Multi-jurisdictional.
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 10

11. The wildfire disaster cycle
How do wildland and urban fire losses occur?
Slave Lake, Alberta.
May 15, 2011
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 11

12. A wildfire disaster develops through
a predictable progression
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 12
1 - 2. - High fire danger develops in wildland
areas.
- An ignition occurs. A Wildland fire begins.
- This is inevitable, natural, and
commonplace in Canada.
- The fire grows, gains intensity, and
spreads near to a community or
development.
3. The community is inundated with
embers. Flames spread into developed
areas. Multiple structure ignitions occur
in a short time.
4 - 5. Fire Responders are overwhelmed and
unable to respond safely or effectively.

13. Breaking the wildfire disaster cycle
The key is to attack the problem
at the point where a wildfire event
makes the transition from forest
fuel to include structural fuels.
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 13

14. More fire trucks are NOT the solution
• Even extraordinary
fire responses will be
overwhelmed.
• Fire outcome depends
on actions taken well
BEFORE fire starts.
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 14

15. Fire behavior
Fire behavior is controlled by:
1. Topography / Heat
2. Weather / Oxygen
3. Fuel / More fuel
Only fuel can
be managed
to reduce risk!
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 15

16. Fuel properties
• How much?
• How dry?
• How easily ignited?
• How is it arranged?
• Chemical content?
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 16

17. How do homes ignite?
It’s the little things!
• Flames (convection).
• Radiant heat (from fire
or adjacent homes).
• Embers (conduction)
a.k.a. firebrands.
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18. • Principles and programs
for reducing wildfire loss.
• Two key elements:
- Recommended FireSmart guidelines:
> Structure
> vegetation
> infrastructure
- Hazard assessment system
• Originated by non-profit assocation.
• Based on NFPA standards.
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 18

19. Homeowners can effectively reduce
the risk of wildfire losses
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 19

20. Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 20
Methodology
How well have FireSmart measures been adopted?
Applied the FireSmart Hazard Assessment System
to 20 known hazard factors in the Home Ignition Zone:
- Quantified the actual wildfire hazards.
- Used hazard level as a proxy for acceptance
and adoption of FireSmart measures.

21. Methodology
• Assessed 445 single family homes.
• “Rapid” assessment technique.
• Data collected:
June through September, 2014.
• Three to four days in each study area.
• Multi-level analysis.
• Rural and urban study sites.
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22. Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 22
Questions?
??????
??????

23. Results
Overall FireSmart Hazard Rating and Degree of Adoption (TABLE 4-1)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 23

24. Results
Average hazard points and percent by hazard category (TABLE 4-2)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 24

25. Results
Relative hazard contributions of structural sub-categories (TABLE 4-3)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 25

26. Results
Hazard contributions of building materials by study site (TABLE 4-4)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 26

27. Hazard contributions
of building materials
Roofing, siding, windows.
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 27

28. Results
Hazard contributions of building features (TABLE 4-5)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 28

29. Results
Eaves, vents, openings and balcony, deck, porch.
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 29

30. Vegetation and fuel results
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 30

31. Results
Vegetation and fuel hazard attributed to priority zones (TABLE 4-6)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 31

32. Vegetation hazard by zone
P. Zone-1
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P. Zone-3
P. Zone-1
P. Zone-1+2

33. Vegetation hazard by zone
• Two high-risk situations:
- “Jackpot” junipers.
- “Eaves” of destruction.
• Research aligns with reality
at Slave Lake.
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34. Results
Vegetation and fuel hazard by vertical fuel layers (TABLE 4-7)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 34

35. Hazard by vegetation layer
Surface litter
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Fuel ladders and crown fuels
Fuel laddersCombustable mulch
Crown fuels

36. Results
Summary of topographic hazards by study site (TABLE 4-8)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 36

37. Results
Three types:
• Setback from top of slope
• Slope steepness
• Position on slope
> Inherent hazard factors
> Compound other hazards
> Mitigate by compensation
Topographic hazards
1 2
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3

38. Results
Summary of ignition site hazard factors (TABLE 4-9)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 38

39. Results
FireSmart hazard levels (TABLE 4-10)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 39

40. Results
Adoption rates for specific FireSmart mitigations (TABLE 4-11)
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 40

41. Conclusions:
1. Adoption of FireSmart
practices.
2. Public communication
and engagement.
3. Vegetation and
fuel management.
4. Home construction.
5. Ignition sites.
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42. Conclusions:
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 42
Adoption of FireSmart practices
1. Wide variability in FireSmart adoption level.
2. Slave lake study areas rated “FireSmart”.
3. Conditions set for 2003 repeat at Kelowna.
4. Spatial risk analysis revealed weaknesses.
5. Vegetation factors have lowest adoption.
6. Key hazards in homeowner authority.
7. Low FireSmart adoption likely prevails.

43. Conclusions:
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 43
Public communication and engagement
1. Progress in some areas, cautious optimism.
2. Slave Lake benefits from innovative FireSmart
program.
3. Doubt effectiveness of FireSmart communications.
4. Study insights could guide future improvement.
5. Improved communication and public engagement
is critical to Kelowna situation.

44. Vegetation and fuel management
1. Greatest weakness; best opportunity
for gains.
2. Most critical issues located in PZ-1,
near surface.
3. Perilous proliferation of volatile conifers
in Kelowna.
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Conclusions:

45. Conclusions:
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 45
Home construction
1. Structural factors accounted for 17% of risk.
2. Excellent compliance partly due to homebuilder
innovations, new materials, design preferences.
3. Alberta code changes only half measure in WUI.
4. Structural advantages overwhelmed by untreated
vegetation and fuel

46. Conclusions:
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 46
Ignition sites
1. Ignition sites accounted for 15% of total hazard.
2. Ignition factors rated at fair to good compliance.
3. Pattern of home losses suggests ignition of home
affects vulnerability of adjacent homes.

47. Conclusions:
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 47
Adoption of FireSmart practices
1. Strategic investment by federal government to
restore momentum to the Canadian Wildland Fire
Strategy and National FireSmart initiative.
2. Broader collaboration between provincial and
municipal departments and FireSmart Canada
to support more effective WUI fire prevention.
3. Continue leading-edge work at Slave Lake to
sustain high levels of FireSmart adoption.

48. Conclusions:
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 48
Public communication and engagement
1. Targeted launch of FireSmart Canada community
recognition program by city of Kelowna.
2. Incorporate FireSmart principles into training
for foresters, arborists, landscape technicians.
3. Build on Alberta success with guidebooks on
environmentally based FireSmart fuel treatments.

49. Vegetation and fuel management
1. Build second-generation vegetation and fuel
guidelines that address resident concerns
and values.
2. Agency adoption and dissemination of upgraded
vegetation/fuel guidelines to public.
3. Kelowna authorities engage residents in treating
hazardous forest enclaves (two options).
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Conclusions:

50. Home construction
1. Engage Canadian Homebuilders Association
to raise awareness and build on positive
contributions.
2. Create pamphlet on FireSmart guidelines
for home builders, building suppliers and
planners.
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Conclusions:

51. Research, regulations and planning
1. Initiate social science investigation the FireSmart
awareness and attitudes of Kelowna residents.
2. Apply principles of forensic investigation to wildfire
disasters and maximize lessons learned.
3. Increased diligence by planners and developers
to develop block plans that mitigate wildfire risk.
4. Enact regulations and/or code to expand use
of fire-resistant building materials in the WUI and
limit use of volatile landscaping materials.
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Conclusions:

52. Summary
“In my opinion it is because Fernie was situated in the heart of a thickly timbered area
that the disaster fell upon it with such crushing fury. To many other parts throughout the province,
Fernie will contain a lesson in this respect.”
Wm. Fernie, Town Founder. September 1908
Looking back – looking forward
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 52

53. Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 53
Summary
1. This study answered ICLR’s question
about levels of FireSmart adoption.
2. Shows strengths and weaknesses
in current programs which promote
wildfire loss reduction.

54. Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 54
Summary
3. Points out opportunities to enhance
effectiveness of future risk mitigation
programs and communications.
4. Challenges many agencies and
organizations to become more involved
in solving a significant threat to the
safety of Canadians.

55. Any burning questions?
Comments?
I
“Ideas?
”“! ”“”!
????????
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 55

56. Converging trends
Climate change
Expansion of WUI area
Lack of FireSmart mitigations
Forest health issues
- Rising fuel loads
More
frequent WUI
disasters
Risk reduction status of homes reconstructed following wildfire disasters in Canada – Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction 56

57. Alan Westhaver, M.Sc.
ForestWise Environmental
Consulting Ltd.
Fernie, British Columbia
alan.westhaver@shaw.ca
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