The Los Angeles wildfires underscore a growing threat across the West as millions have moved into wildfire-prone areas.
Development has surged on the outskirts of urban centers, encroaching on wilderness, known as the “wildland-urban interface” (WUI).
Over 16 million homes now sit in WUI across the U.S., with California seeing a 40% increase since 1990, according to research.
Why it matters: Homes in WUI areas face higher destruction risks due to proximity to flammable vegetation.
Also, the more people living near forests and grasslands, the greater the likelihood of wildfire ignitions caused by humans. And urban sprawl creates issues with firefighting resources becoming stretched.
By the numbers: Data from risk analytics firm CoreLogic shows that around 1 in 8 properties in California now face “very high” fire risk. In L.A. County, that figure is closer to 1 in 10.
What they’re saying: “Especially in the Western U.S., we’ve been growing like gangbusters out into the WUI for the last few decades,” Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the nonprofit Urban Institute, told the NY Times. “The amount of exposure to wildfire events is getting higher and higher.”
Living With a New Reality
With millions now living near wildlands, experts argue that Americans must learn to “coexist” with wildfires.
Building and hardening homes with fire-resistant materials is crucial to reducing property damage. Enclosed eaves, vent screens, and multi-pane windows can prevent destruction and stop wind-driven embers.
Creating “defensible space” by clearing brush and vegetation around homes and entire neighborhoods is another factor to help keep fires at a distance.
Tough standards help: While California has strict fire safety codes for newer homes, retrofitting older structures remains costly.
However, taking defensible action can make a difference.
After the 2018 Camp Fire, which destroyed Paradise, Calif., one analysis found that about 51 percent of the 350 single-family homes built to the new codes escaped damage. That compared to 18 percent of the 12,100 homes built before the standards.
Bottom line: Rising insurance costs are pushing property owners to adopt stricter building codes and other preventative measures.
With wildfires becoming an unavoidable reality, thoughtful planning—starting now—can help protect lives and property in the future.
