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Resilient development

Resilient development integrates wildfire risk into the way communities are planned, built and managed, reducing exposure and vulnerability before disasters occur.

Preventing new development in the highest-risk areas, maintaining defensible space around settlements, protecting critical infrastructure and preserving natural buffers can all help reduce the likelihood that wildfires become catastrophic disasters.

Resilient building and mitigation practices are a cornerstone of this approach. Fire-resistant construction materials, ember-resistant design, appropriate roofing and ventilation systems, and the use of building codes tailored to wildfire hazards can significantly improve the survivability of homes and public infrastructure.

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Wildfire in Stanislaus National Forest, California, 2013
Update
How America courted increasingly destructive wildfires − and what that means for protecting homes today

Increased wildfires in the U.S. stem from fire suppression, climate change, and risky urban development. Solutions include adapting homes, prescribed burns, and fire-resilient policies. Everyone shares the responsibility to solve this problem.

Conversation Media Group, the
Update
Earthen bricks can be used to build wildfire-resistant homes

When fire rages across a landscape, wood can go up in flames. But dirt does not burn, so some people are drawing inspiration from age-old earthen building methods to help create more fire-resilient homes.

Yale Climate Connections
Training course
Online
The effects of fire on people, property and the environment
This course will give you an overview of the challenges posed by fire, and the fire safety solutions available to meet those challenges.
  • University of Maryland
Stop disasters game
Educational materials
Play and learn to stop disasters!

In this game users learn through playing how the location and the construction materials of houses make a difference when disasters strike and how early warning systems, evacuation plans and education save lives.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Update
Ahead of the flames: Preparing Canadian homes and communities to limit the growing risk of wildfire

A new report offers practical guidance to help Canadians living in forested and grassland regions to follow well-tested actions that can reduce the risk of their home burning by up to 75 per cent.

University of Waterloo
Research briefs
Without climate action, property values will take a hit from escalating wildfire risk and tree mortality, study finds

A research team attempted, for the first time, to quantify the value of U.S. property at risk in forested areas exposed to increased wildfire and tree mortality associated with climate stresses and beetle infestation.

PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd
University of Utah
Update
Commercial building codes lack strong wildfire-management provisions, indoor air quality controls, says expert

Amid a fire season that has seen a record number of blazes, wildfires and poor air quality are top-of-mind concerns for commercial property developers, industry insiders say.

Globe and Mail, the
Cover
Documents and publications
Wildland fire disaster prevention

This case study looks closer at a Colorado house, certified by Wildfire Partners, which avoided burning in 2016 by wildfire.

Disasters avoided
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