Resources for Life Safety in Wildfires

(Click on the article title (in parentheses) line of each article to open)

Note: These papers and articles are presented for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Firewise Communities or its supporting partners.

"Fire, families and decisions" by Mae Proudley - Scant attention is paid to women and their roles in the emergency management landscape. This is particularly relevant in the field of community bushfire preparedness and mitigation. The culture of emergency management remains a very masculine field with the command and control system continuing to dominate and influence the roles and processes of emergency events. ( Fire, families and decisions)

Research/Education
"Public Safety in the Urban–Wildland Interface: Should Fire-Prone Communities Have a Maximum Occupancy?" by Thomas J. Cova – This is a conceptual paper that considers the possibility that residential developments could be designed for a specific number of residents based on structures and exceed that number by over-development. Using the formulaic approach of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code for determining the maximum number of persons per room in a building (based on square feet per room and exit distances, widths, and locations), Dr. Cova contemplates applying a similar approach to interface communities. ( Interface communities cova-nhr-2005)

"Advancing the Discussion of Evacuation" research paper – A recent paper developed by Travis Paveglio and Matthew S. Carroll (Washington State University) and Pamela J. Jakes (USDA Forest Service), October 2007. ( Paveglio et al SIP)

"Wildland-Urban Fire—A different approach" by Jack D. Cohen, Research Physical Scientist, USDA Forest Service. This paper outlines the research results that indicate a home’s ignition potential in a wildland fire is principally determined by its immediate surroundings. ( WUI fire_a different approach)

These are selected pages, dealing with homeowner/resident preparation for staying and sheltering in interface homes, excerpted from the Firewise Communities Action Program Guide, downloadable from www.firewise.org ( Pages from FW Act Prog Guide)

"Evacuation and Sheltering, and Post-disaster Safety" from Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages, American Red Cross, January 2005 ( Evac & Shelter Post Disaster)

Policy/Planning
Position Paper On Bushfires And Community Safety, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, November 28, 2005 - This paper expresses the Australasian Fire Authorities Council’s (AFAC’s) position on the safety of residents and their homes during bushfire events. The paper includes principles for national application by member agencies in all Australian states and territories, subject to relevant local legislation and local refinement. ( Bushfires Community Safety nov05)

Emerging Issues in Wildland Fire Protection "When Wildfire Threatens: Should Residents Stay or Evacuate?" NFPA Wildland Fire Management Section – general discussion paper on limited evacuation and/or sheltering as an option to total evacuation, October 2004. ( WFMS Emerging Issue Shelter or Evacuate)

Living on Wildside reprint – Contains articles "Remote Control" on a community planned using Firewise principles and "Show Low Arizona Inferno" on lessons learned about mass evacuations, NFPA Journal, March 2003. ( living on wildside reprint)

Sheltering in Place During Wildfires – Resident guidance information from the Rancho Santa Fe (CA) Fire Protection District ( Shelter in Place – Wildfires)

Shelter in Place during a Chemical Emergency from Whatcom County, Washington. Examples of the Shelter in Place concept discussed in terms of other emergencies. ( Shelter In Place Chem Emerg)

Engineering/Design
FEMA Standard 361 Design and Construction for Community Shelters on 'safe rooms' in homes in wind zones. July 2000. ( FEMA 361)

Living on Wildside reprint from NFPA Journal - (see description in Policy/Planning sections) ( living on wildside reprint)

Experiences/Media
"Fight or Flee? A Case Study of the Mount Macedon bushfire" by Andrew A.G. Wilson and Ian S. Ferguson, Australian Forestry, 1984. ( Fight or Flee)

Living on Wildside reprint from NFPA Journal (see description in Policy/Planning) ( living on wildside reprint)

"Wild Fire Evacuation - Are You Ready?" Napa Valley Register, October 28, 2006. - ( napa valley register)

"Marshall: Homeowners saved selves from disaster" Napa Valley Register, July 13, 2007. ( Napa Valley Register _ Marshall_ Homeowners saved selves from disaster)

Surviving a Wildfire: A Homeowner's Story By Jeffe Aronson an Australian homeowner ( Surviving a Wildfire A Homeowner Story FINAL)

"On the Line: Evacuating Special Needs Individuals Multi- Hazard Benefits" from the Natural Hazards Observer, July 2003 ( On The Line)

"Evacuation in the Face of Wildfire: Peace of Mind Comes From Knowledge and Preparedness" by Merle Glenn, Home & Fire Magazine, 2004 ( Evac in the Face of Wildfire)

"Shelter-in-Place as a Mitigation Strategy For Communities in the Wildland/Urban Interface" by Keith Worley, Forester and resident of Perry Park CO (Firewise Community/USA) ( Shelter in Place)

"Shelter-in-place program balances beauty, safety", San Diego CA Union-Tribune article by James Steinberg, Union-Tribune Staff Writer, January 30, 2005 - This article covers wildfire preparations of Rancho Santa Fe community for staying and defending homes. ( S-in-Place balances beauty)

"Shelter in place: Watching the flames go by" North County Times, September 5, 2007. A Commentary by Richard W. Halsey ( NorthCountyTimes)

"Exclusive homes emerge unscathed as fire-protection concept is tested", San Diego CA Union-Tribune article by Lori Weisberg, Roger Showley and Emmet Pierce, Staff Writers, October 29, 2007. This article reports on the experience of Rancho Santa Fe during the Witch Fire. ( Exclusive Homes Emerge Unscathed)

"To Go or Not to Go" - article by Glenda Wallace, Home & Fire Magazine, 2004 – Article looks at the issues from a Montana point-of view. ( To Go or Not to GO)

WILDFIRE: Making the Decision - Guidelines for Safe Evacuation for Sheltering in Place from the Anchorage AK Fire Department ( Wildfire making decisions)

"A New Debate on Evacuation", Morning Edition, National Public Radio, September 5, 2007. A radio report on Shelter-In-Place (NPR_New Debate on Evacuation (MP3))

A letter from Ann Cooke, resident of Greater Eastern Jemez WUI Corridor, New Mexico: reflections on Shelter in Place. ( Ann Cooke SIP)

Shelter in Place Editorial by Madelyn Buchalter. Commentary on Shelter in Place policies endangering life safety. ( Shelter in place editorial)

"California Wildfires Skip 'Shelter' Communities" National Public Radio, October 26, 2007 (California Wildfires Skip (MP3))

"Nation must adapt to greater wildfire risk: Climate change means people must prepare for more fire danger, including – surprise – US East." Christian Science Monitor, November 1, 2007 ( Nation must adapt to greater wildfire risk)