On Friday, August 20, 2021, ICLR hosted a two-part webinar titled "The National Guide for Wildland Urban Interface Fires (Part 1), and an Impact Analysis of the National WUI Guide (Part 2).' Part one was led by Dr. Noureddine Bénichou, a Principal Research Officer at the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada. Part 1: Canada’s National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface Fires A National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface Fires, the first of its kind for Canada, was recently published by the National Research Council of Canada as part of the Climate-Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure (CRBCPI) initiative. The Guide is intended to mitigate the growing risk of damage and loss due to WUI fires by improving the resilience of buildings and communities to wildfire. Drawing on recent wildfire research, existing codes, standards and guidelines, and new insights from international experts, the Guide provides comprehensive support for the WUI areas of Canada, including information on hazard and exposure assessment, vegetation management and construction measures, and community planning, resources and outreach.

1. National Guide for Wildland-Urban
Interface (WUI) Fires
Noureddine Benichou, Ph.D.
20 August 2021

2. National Research Council (NRC)
2
Agency reporting to Parliament
Provides essential elements
of national science and technology infrastructure
Disseminates knowledge
to promote innovation and commercialisation

3. Responding to Climate Change
3
Investment of $42.5M by the Government of Canada
• Addressing the impact of increasing extreme weather events
such as wildfires, floods and high winds
• Worked with Infrastructure Canada to upgrade codes,
specifications, guidelines, and assessment tools by 2021

4. Climate Resilient Buildings & Core
Public Infrastructure (CPBCPI)
4
Purpose:
To develop decision support tools/solutions, including codes, guides and models
for the design of resilient new buildings and CPI and rehabilitation of existing
buildings and CPI in key sectors to ensure that existing and future climate change
and extreme weather events are addressed
Climate Data • Buildings
Bridges • Roads • Water/Wastewater • Transit
Decision Support Tools

5. WUI Fires – Gap Analysis
5
• Wildfires directly affect residences and
infrastructure in the WUI area
• Identify current practice, existing roadmaps,
gaps in approaches and understanding
• Establish potential NRC research areas to
address the gaps highlighted
• Set out a roadmap for future research efforts
to minimize impacts WUI fires

6. Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires
6
Impact from Wildfires
Wildland Fires
Spread in Forests
WUI Fires
Spread and damage to communities
Wildfires
Mapping
WUI Mapping
CRBCPI Project
Impact on Buildings
WUI Test Methods
WUI Modelling
National Guide
for WUI Fires
Post WUI Fires Data
WUI Fires Evacuation

7. National Guide for WUI Fires
7
• NO National Guide or Code for WUI
fires in Canada
• The objectives were to:
• Envision and define Canada’s needs for a
National Guide or Code for WUI fires
• Develop a National Guide for WUI fires in
partnership with stakeholders

8. National Guide for WUI Fires
8
Who was involved?
• International Technical Committee (TC) made of 22 members + NRC
with 4 Task Groups (TG) responsible for the various chapters
• National and international collaborators from government, academia,
industry, consultancy and standard bodies
Process:
• Regular meetings for TC and TGs to discuss development and
produce a final Guide

9. TC Membership/Stakeholders
9
Non-NRC:
• Michael Bodnar, Consultant
• Geoffrey Braid, Alberta
• Teresa Coady, BC Eng.
• Steven Craft (Chair), Consultant
• Mike Flannigan, U of A
• David Foster, CHBA
• George Frater, Steel ind.
• Steve Gwynne, Consultant (UK)
• Kelly Johnston, FireSmart
• Erica Kuligowski, NIST (US)
• Michelle Maybee, Insulation ind.
• Rodney McPhee, CWC
• Shayne Mintz, NFPA
• Dave Nichols, ICC (US)
• Rick McGrath/Stamatina Chasioti, Concrete ind.
Non-NRC:
• Michael Nugent, ISC Canada
• Lindsay Ranger, FPInnovations
• Mike Richards, BC
• Dan Sandink, ICLR
• Tina Saryeddine, CAFC
• Steven Taylor, NRCan
• Mike Wotton, U of T
NRC:
• Noureddine Benichou (Lead), Masoud
Adelzadeh, Alex Bwalya, Nour Elsagan,
Islam Gomaa, Abhishek Gaur, Max
Kinateder, Chunyun Ma, Jitender Singh
and Mohamed Sultan

10. National Guide for WUI Fires
10
Core elements addressed by the Guide
and their relationships

11. National Guide for WUI Fires - Content
11
1. Introduction
2. Hazard and Exposure
3. WUI Fire Risk Mitigation in Structure Ignition Zone
4. Community Planning and Resources
5. Emergency Planning and Outreach
Link: National Guide for WUI Fires

12. Guide for WUI Fires - Introduction
12
• Wildfires in Canada
• About this Guide
• How to Use this Guide
Property Protection Life Safety

13. Guide for WUI Fires - Introduction
13
• How to Use this Guide
• Refer to Appendix C for
Life Safety Vulnerability
Assessment

14. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
14
Fuel Type Description
F0
Non-vegetated land
Irrigated or cultivated landscapes and cropland (excluding cereal crops)
Non-coniferous shrubs
Treeless bogs, fens, and swamps
F1
Deciduous forest
Mixed coniferous and deciduous forest with ≤ 25% conifers
Grassland and cereal cropland
Logging and land-clearing slash
(e.g., FBP Fuel Types D1, M1 and M2 with ≤ 25% conifers, O1, S1, S2, S3)
F2
Mature conifer forest (excluding upland boreal black spruce forest) with ≤ 20%
standing dead trees
Mixed coniferous and deciduous forest with > 25% conifers
(e.g., FBP Fuel Types C1, C3, C5, C6, C7, M1 and M2 with > 25% conifers)
F3
Upland boreal black spruce forest
Dense immature jack pine forest
Mature conifer forest with > 20% standing dead trees
(e.g., FBP Fuel Types C2, C4, M3, M4)
Hazard Assessment
• Determination of Need for
Assessment?
 Yes, if wildland fuel type
F1, F2, or F3 is present
within 500 m of a structure
 No, if otherwise

15. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
15
Hazard Assessment
• Levels:
 1 (Nil–Very Low)
 2 (Low)
 3 (Moderate)
 4 (High)
Local hazard maps may
be used

16. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
16
Exposure Assessment – Simplified Method
Fuel Type at
0–100 m from
Structure
Fuel Type at
100–500 m from
Structure
Exposure Level Action
F0
F0, grassland Nil None required
F1–F3, except
grassland
Ember-Only
Go to Table 7
(Chapter 3)
F1 F0–F3 Low
Go to Table 7
(Chapter 3)
F2 F0–F3 Moderate
Go to Table 7
(Chapter 3)
F3 F0–F3 High
Go to Table 7
(Chapter 3)

17. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
17
Exposure Assessment – Detailed
Method
• To assess the exposure of a structure, the area
2 km in radius surrounding the structure is
classified into zones.
• The exposure is through flying embers, radiant
heat, and direct flame exposure.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Structural-ignition-sources-in-WUI-Firewise-2012_301883714

18. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
18
Distance from
Structure, m
Surface Fuel Tree Canopy (Fuel Type) Exposure
0–3
Green lawn, non-woody plants, or non-
vegetated
– Nil
Continuous plant litter, dry grass, bark mulch – Moderate
Hazard shrubs or trees – High
3–30
Green lawn or vegetation
Deciduous or no tree canopy (F0, F1) Nil
≤ 25% conifer tree cover (F2, F3) Moderate
> 25% conifer tree cover (F2, F3) High
Continuous plant litter or dry grass
Deciduous or no tree canopy (F0, F1) Low
≤ 25% conifer tree cover (F2, F3) High
> 25% conifer tree cover (F2, F3) High
Exposure Assessment – Detailed Method
• Step 1:
 The exposure for Priority Zones 1A to 2 (0–30 m from the structure) is assessed in accordance with
the table below.
 The exposure is taken as the highest of flying embers, radiant heat, and direct flame exposure.

19. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
19
Exposure Assessment –
Detailed Method
• Step 2:
 The fuel types in Priority Zone 3
and Exposure Zones 4 and 5
(30–2 000 m from the structure)
are determined in accordance
with table shown on right.
Fuel Type Description
F0
Non-vegetated land
Irrigated or cultivated landscapes and cropland (excluding cereal crops)
Non-coniferous shrubs
Treeless bogs, fens, and swamps
F1
Deciduous forest
Mixed coniferous and deciduous forest with ≤ 25% conifers
Grassland and cereal cropland
Logging and land-clearing slash
(e.g., FBP Fuel Types D1, M1 and M2 with ≤ 25% conifers, O1, S1, S2, S3)
F2
Mature conifer forest (excluding upland boreal black spruce forest) with ≤ 20%
standing dead trees
Mixed coniferous and deciduous forest with > 25% conifers
(e.g., FBP Fuel Types C1, C3, C5, C6, C7, M1 and M2 with > 25% conifers)
F3
Upland boreal black spruce forest
Dense immature jack pine forest
Mature conifer forest with > 20% standing dead trees
(e.g., FBP Fuel Types C2, C4, M3, M4)

20. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
20
Zone
(Distance from
Structure)
Fuel Type
Fuel Percent
Cover
Exposure
Slope
Modifying
Exposure
Slope-
Adjusted
Exposure
3 (30–100 m)
F0 – Nil – –
F1
< 10% Low > 20% Moderate
10–50% Moderate > 20% High
> 50% High – –
F2
< 10% Moderate > 20% High
10–50% High – –
> 50% High – –
F3 > 5% High – –
4 (100–500 m)
F0 – Nil – –
F1
< 10% Nil – –
10–50% Low > 40% Moderate
> 50% Moderate > 40% High
F2
< 10% Low > 40% Moderate
10–50% Moderate > 40% High
> 50% High – –
F3
< 10% Moderate > 40% High
> 10% High – –
5 (500–2 000 m)
F0 or F1 – Nil – –
F2 or F3 ≤ 50% Nil – –
F2 > 50% Low – –
F3 > 50% Moderate – –
Exposure Assessment –
Detailed Method
• Step 3:
 The exposure for Priority Zone
3 and Exposure Zones 4 and 5
is assessed in accordance with
table shown on right.
 The exposure is taken as the
highest exposure of Priority
Zone 3 and Exposure Zones 4
and 5.

21. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
21
Exposure Assessment –
Detailed Method
• Step 4:
 The overall exposure is taken as
the highest of those obtained in
steps 1 and 3 (i.e., the highest
exposure of all the zones).

22. Guide for WUI Fires – Hazard and Exposure
22
Exposure Level Determination – Detailed Method
• Step 5:
 The Exposure Level is determined by combining the Hazard Level and the overall Exposure
in accordance with the table below.
Hazard Level
Exposure
Nil Low Moderate High
Exposure Level
Nil–Very Low Nil Nil Nil Nil
Low Nil Low Low Moderate
Moderate Nil Low Moderate High
High Nil Low Moderate High

23. Guide for WUI Fires –
Mitigation in Structure Ignition Zone
23
General applicability – Measures relate to property protection for new/existing buildings
Exposure Levels and Construction Classes
• Determination of Exposure Level – From hazard and exposure assessment
 Ember-Only
 Low
 Moderate
 High
• Determination of Construction Class (see table below)
Exposure Level
Recommended Construction Classes for Use with Mitigation Measures Applied in
the Listed Priority Zones
None 1A 1A and 1 1A to 2 1A to 3
Ember-Only or Low CC1(FR)(1)
CC1 CC3 CC3 CC3
Moderate CC1(FR)(1)
CC1(FR)(2)
CC2 CC3 CC3
High CC1(FR)(1)
CC1(FR)(2)
CC1 CC2 CC3

24. Guide for WUI Fires –
Mitigation in Structure Ignition Zone
24
Construction Measures
• Existing Applicable Regulations – Measures should not contravene existing applicable regulations
• Exterior Walls (For selection, use the table below)
 Example: For buildings in Construction Class CC1(FR), exterior walls should be constructed from a
material or assembly of materials having a fire-resistance rating of not less than:
o 1 h, where none of the mitigation measures have been applied in Priority Zones surrounding the building, or
o 45 min, where mitigation measures have been applied only in Priority Zone 1A.
 Example: Exterior walls on buildings in Construction Classes CC2 and CC3, exterior walls can be
made of log wall construction.
Construction Class
Minimum Recommended Exterior Wall Cladding
CC1(FR) or CC1 Noncombustible(1)
CC2 Ignition-resistant(2)
CC3 Limited ignition-resistant(3)

25. Guide for WUI Fires –
Mitigation in Structure Ignition Zone
25
Construction Measures
• Foundation Walls
• Raised or Elevated Buildings
• Roofing Materials
• Gutters and Downspouts
• Eaves, Soffits, and Roof Projections
• Service Openings and Vents
• Doors and Windows
• Decks, Balconies, and Other Building Attachments
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas Tanks
• Fire Department Access Routes
• Access Route Design https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-016-0601-7
Link: National Guide for WUI Fires

26. Guide for WUI Fires –
Mitigation in Structure Ignition Zone
26
Priority Zones
• Priority Zone Requirements
 Priority Zone 1A
 Priority Zone 1
 Priority Zone 2
 Priority Zone 3
• Important to manage the Zones to reduce
recommended measures

27. Guide for WUI Fires –
Mitigation in Structure Ignition Zone
27
Priority Zones
• Slope – Adjusted Priority Zones where needed
• Setbacks – Accommodated where needed
• Firebreaks and Fuel Breaks – Accommodated
where needed with appropriate dimensions

28. Guide for WUI Fires –
Community Planning and Resources
28
General applicability
• The measures here relate mostly to life safety but also some property protection
• If the community is exposed to a Hazard Level greater than 1 (Nil–Very Low), the guidance provided
in this Chapter should be considered
Planning the WUI
• Demographics – Example characteristics and effects
 Population growth of decline affects future demand for new construction
 Age of population – affect the evacuation planning and needed resources
 Disability - Populations with disabilities need to be considered in evacuation planning
• Land use and Development – Example considerations
 New development – consideration for minimizing wildfire hazard
 Intensification - Avoid intensification in areas with a high wildfire Exposure Level
 Water Supply – Consider water demand and plan for supply where needed

29. Guide for WUI Fires –
Community Planning and Resources
29
Planning the WUI
• Access Routes – Example considerations
 Number of access routes – determined by number of households or parking spots
 Fire Lanes – parking lot lanes and private roads can be used as fire lanes under some limitations
• Egress Routes – Example considerations
 How are you trying to move people? e.g., walking to reach safety or access to transportation
 How many egress routes are there? There should more than one route for egress
 What type of guidance about egress routes should be disseminated locally? The community
should be made aware of egress routes and alternatives, and become familiar with them
• Areas of Refuge
 In some cases, safe and effective evacuation may not be achievable
 Areas of refuge can be best integrated into communities by designating some community facilities

30. Guide for WUI Fires –
Community Planning and Resources
30
Community Resources
• Utilities
 Power Supply – recommendations for power supply lines and support structures
 Water Supply for Firefighting – Water needs and other considerations
 Public Transportation during Emergencies – e.g., buses and watercrafts
 Firefighting Capabilities – Resources and response plans
 Authorized Firefighter Interventions – through Fire Services Acts
Link: National Guide for WUI Fires

31. Guide for WUI Fires –
Emergency Planning and Outreach
31
General applicability
• The measures here relate mostly to life safety but also some property protection
• If the community is exposed to a Hazard Level greater than 1 (Nil–Very Low), the
guidance provided in this Chapter should be considered
Community Emergency Planning
• WUI Evacuation Planning
 Evacuation Planning before a WUI Fire – Examples considerations
o Are additional resources needed for evacuation?
o Who has the authority to trigger evacuation and what method of
communication will be used
 Evacuation during a Wildfire Emergency – Examples considerations
o What seasonal and environmental conditions should be considered?
o What is the forecasted weather and what impact will the weather have on
fire behaviour?
Traffic
Fire
Pedestrians

32. Guide for WUI Fires –
Emergency Planning and Outreach
32
Community Emergency Planning
• WUI Evacuation Planning
 Shelter in Place – when to consider?
o Evacuation is the preferred way to reduce risk of death and injury from wildfire emergencies
o Only in extreme circumstances where no evacuation options are available, individuals may
need to shelter in place
 Emergency Response Plan and Evacuation Plan Recommendations
o Document the Emergency Response Plan and Evacuation Plan for use by communities
• Developing Emergency Communication Strategies
 Channels of Communication
o Examples: Emergency Alerting System, Social Media, Door-to-Door, Outdoor Siren Systems
 Message Content – Example considerations
o Content Language (short and simple), content features (credible source, hazard location,
timeline), content order (depending on the length of message)

33. Guide for WUI Fires –
Emergency Planning and Outreach
33
Public Outreach and Education
• Public Education
 A well-thought-out education program helps the public understand the risks, steps to protect
property, and the emergency procedures in place to protect lives and property
• Developing a Communication Plan – Example elements in the plan
 Goals and Objectives
 Communications Team
 Target Audience
 Messages
 Channels of Message Distribution
 Plan Timeline
 Budget
Link: National Guide for WUI Fires

34. Guide for WUI Fires –
Thoughts on Development
34
Positive Outcomes
• A process in place for the development
• National Guide is a first in Canada
• Consensus-based development from a wide range of stakeholders
Challenges
• Difficulty to satisfy all the requirements of stakeholders
• Connection to existing national model codes
• Duration of development

35. Potential Future Work
35
• Move of the Guide to standardized documents
• Development of dedicated guidance for Indigenous
and Northern communities
• Impact of wildfire smoke and improvement of the
resilience of buildings from this impact

36. Thank you
Design for the Future rather than the Past