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Much of what we know about how to protect property from wildfire derives from scientific research about fire behavior and how fire interacts with fuel and the configuration of manmade structures. For instance. the majority of homes are lost to embers, also called firebrands, not flames.
While many universities have faculty who conduct relevant research, there are three entities that have produced much of what we know about how to mitigate wildfire danger in the wildland-urban interface (WUI).
Here's a little more about them.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
The U.S. Forest Service conducts extensive wildfire research, especially around fire behavior and fuel treatments. Their work helps us understand how fire moves across landscapes and how vegetation management can reduce risk. It was Dr. Jack Cohen, a USFS research physical scientist (now retired), who changed the script on wildfire, noting that it is impossible to prevent all wildfires, and wildland-urban interface fire isn’t a fire problem but a home ignition problem. Changing the conditions of the house and its immediate surroundings can change the ignition potential of the house. (It was Cohen who developed the concept of home ignition zones. )
USFS findings underscore the importance of managing vegetation around structures. Their studies show that reducing fuel continuity—both horizontally and vertically—can significantly reduce fire intensity and the likelihood of structure ignition.
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
IBHS is a nonprofit supported by the insurance industry. It conducts full-scale tests to see how structures perform under ember and flame exposure. You may have seen videos of their demonstrations in their research center in South Carolina, but if not, you can find many of them here.
IBHS research has validated the importance of defensible space and demonstrated how small changes—such as clearing debris from roofs—can make a big difference.
IBHS also publishes detailed, evidence-based guidance documents, like the "Wildfire Prepared Home" standard, which outlines specific actions homeowners can take to reduce risk. These publications align closely with CAL-FIRE’s defensible space and home hardening recommendations and the California Department of Insurance's "Safe from Wildfire" initiative.
From the LA fires, IBHS learned that homes ignited from wind-driven embers traveling long distances; combustible landscaping and non-resistant building materials increased losses; and structure spacing and community layout affected fire spread. Embers traveled far ahead of the flame front, igniting homes that had vulnerabilities. Landscaping choices and building materials played a big role. Even the layout of neighborhoods influenced how fire spread. These findings reinforce the importance of inspecting for ember vulnerabilities and promoting fire-resistant choices.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
One of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories, NIST is home to the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Group, which conducts research to reduce the risk of fire hazards in WUI communities. The group focuses heavily on the physics of fire, and in particular, works to characterize embers and how they ignite materials.
According to NIST, these are the primary pathways through which fire spreads:
Surface fire spread
- Along the ground through grasses, mulch, or other surface fuels
- Can lead to ignition of decks, fences, or siding at the base of structures
Structure-to-structure ignition
- One burning building can ignite adjacent structures through radiant heat, flame contact, or embers.
- This is especially critical in densely built neighborhoods or developments.
Ventilation openings
- Vents, soffits, and other openings can allow embers or flames to enter attics or crawlspaces.
- Unscreened or poorly protected openings are high-risk points.
Decks and fences
- Wooden decks and fences can act as fuel bridges, carrying fire to the main structure.
NIST’s work reinforces the importance of ember-resistant construction—like 1/8" vent screens or ember-resistant vents, Class A roofing, and non-combustible siding. It also supports the need for a clean 0–5-foot zone around structures, where embers are most likely to accumulate and ignite fuels.
Source: CAL-FIRE
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