The Wildland/Urban Interface
More and more people want the peace and quiet to be found in a wild setting,
and so they move farther into the woods.
Danger arises when fire starts. A wildland fire would threaten these homes nestled in the trees. Local volunteer firefighters are the first line of defense.
80% of the initial attack (first firefighting forces on the scene) in wildland fire fighting is done by local volunteers. Their efforts commonly prevent a small fire from becoming a major disaster.
For information on how homeowners can help protect their own interests, see Firewise Communities.
The seemingly capricious pattern of homes burned down or left standing is often explained by the construction of the home and the attention paid to firewise landscaping. For example, if fire-resistant materials are used in the roof; if brush and other fuels are cleared from around the structure; and if firefighters can get to the home with firefighting equipment, the home is far more likely to survive. For more information on firewise landscaping and related issues, see Firewise Communities.