Wildfire Risk Mitigation and Loss Prevention Measures

Creating Defensible Space Around Your Property

The frequency, severity and geographic occurrence of wildfires have increased significantly in recent years, fueled by climate change, human activities, and evolving land use patterns. Their rapid spread poses substantial risks across various sectors and regions around the globe.

Wildfire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer, which impacts on the ability to share firefighting resources within regions. Catastrophic wildfires are becoming larger and more frequent. Any sector can be impacted by wildfire but utilities and energy, real estate and construction, and agriculture and transportation are among the sectors which face the most significant exposures to damage and business interruption. Regulatory challenges and litigation related to wildfire liabilities are also on the rise, necessitating the need for robust risk management strategies.

One of the most important of these strategies is creating defensible space both horizontally and vertically (low-lying brush to large tree canopies). Your property should be divided into zones around your buildings with the zones closest to your facility requiring the most careful selection and intensive management of plants and materials, creating a combustible-free area.

Some additional proactive risk mitigation measures include:

Reduce organic fuel

Create a vegetation maintenance plan (VMP) to reduce ignition sources. If you are using plants around a building, select those with low combustibility characteristics such as high moisture content, low oil or resin content, deep roots with thick, heavy leaves, and minimal production of dead vegetation. Use pebbles or rocks as mulch. Plant windbreaks to slow winds and deflect embers. When developing a VMP, consult a landscape professional such as a forester, range manager, or natural resources specialist.

Rooftop-mounted equipment

Protect rooftop-mounted equipment with metal sheets to avoid embers reaching it and starting a fire.

Outdoor/yard storage

Remove, where possible, any flammable liquids, such as IBC (intermediate bulk containers) storage and aboveground diesel tanks, and combustible materials, such as idle pallets and waste containers, which could create a fire bridge connecting the external vegetation to the buildings.

External tanks, silos and pipe racks

Remove or carefully study the position of external tanks and silos to avoid potential involvement in a fire coming from the vegetation. Similarly, remove or carefully study the routing of pipe racks, especially if they transport flammable liquids or hazardous gases.

Clear debris

Draw up a thorough checklist for each building which identifies common areas where debris could accumulate, such as roofs, gutters, and around building perimeters at ground level. Debris should be removed weekly during peak periods and at other times when the local fire risk is considered elevated. Coordinate with local authorities to reduce the possibility of a wildfire escalating in external areas beyond your company’s control.

Non-combustible building materials

Choose non-combustible materials for exterior wall cladding (consider concrete or brick) as well as building signage (avoid wood, plastic and vinyl). Select windows that are dual-paned with tempered glass and roofing systems with a Class A fire rating based on testing to ASTM E108 or UL 790 standards. Select gutters and downspouts made of non-combustible materials such as aluminum. Install 1/8-inch non-combustible mesh screening over all vents to prohibit wind-blown embers from entering your building.

Fire suppression and protection

Fire protection: Reinforce fire protection systems by ensuring water tanks are full, installing external sprinklers, and maintaining water cannons. Any private water reservoir (above ground tank) and/or fire pump station(s) must be positioned far from any combustible materials and in a position that is not exposed to vegetation fire. Yard hydrants and hoses must be easily accessible. Additional wildland fire defense equipment should be arranged in a safe and accessible location free of vegetation and/or combustible storage.

Install certified portable fire extinguishers: These should be in good condition and of the appropriate type (such as water, foam or carbon dioxide) and distributed so they are visible at all times, with clear signposting. Ensure they are maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Access for emergency services: All roads, external or internal, to the site must be capable of supporting emergency access vehicles and should be a minimum of 6m (20 feet) wide.

Install fire breaks: Suitable fire breaks should be installed around the perimeter of the site and, where the site permits, these should also be installed internally. Fire breaks must be designed to ensure vegetation is not able to grow in or through the fire break.

Heed warnings: If you are under a wildfire warning, get to safety right away. Leave if told to do so. If trapped, call emergency services. Listen for emergency information and alerts. Use masks that meet appropriate standards to keep particles out of the air you breathe.

Wildfire preparedness programs

A thorough preparation, response, and evacuation plan should be implemented. This plan must include training for anyone who may be required to participate. Elements of this plan and its creation could include the following:

• Create a dedicated response team. Identify and train those who will communicate with local authorities and establish alternates for all roles and train them as necessary.
• Create a communication method that can promptly alert everyone on the property.
• Conduct hydrant testing and use this to verify proper equipment is on hand.
• Conduct comprehensive annual training exercises including the shut-off of all non-essential gas and liquid fuel supplies to the buildings and the shut-down of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
• Keep any water tanks or portable supplies filled and ready. Maintain rally or refuge points in accordance with company refuge area guidelines.
• Enforce no smoking outdoors policies strictly during periods of drought.
• Test/start the emergency generator.
• Back up computer and server data frequently.
• Regularly discuss, review and update your inventory, business continuity, evacuation, and safety plans.

These are just some of the actions needed to prepare for and reduce your exposure to wildfires. Mitigating wildfire exposure is a complex and pressing issue that requires coordinated action at local, national, and global levels to minimize risks and build resilience.