As urban centers expand and land prices for a growing population continue to skyrocket, spreading development inevitably follows. New communities will often be established in previously undeveloped regions, where land is cheap and often still offers the idyllic clarion call of nature. Unfortunately, communities on the border between urban and wildland areas (Wildland-Urban Interface, or WUI) face wildfires that are more frequent, severe, and larger than in decades past. Combined wildland and urban fires present singular threats that make containing and extinguishing them exceptionally dangerous and difficult.
The Unique Challenges of Firefighting in the WUI
In the wildland-urban interface, even when the spread of fire can be halted beyond a town’s borders, firebrands (embers carried by the wind or convection currents) can travel past firebreaks, igniting abundant supplies of flammable vegetation and quickly spread to adjacent structures. A fire’s radiant and thermal heat can also cause fuel to ignite, even without direct contact.
Chemicals and pollutants not typically found in wildlands present distinct hazards to firefighters who suddenly fight fires amongst human structures. Concern for human life can change priorities for firefighting crews when difficult choices must be made between rescuing stranded or incapacitated residents or stopping the spread of a deadly and rapidly expanding wildfire.
A sufficient water supply is a critical component of effective firefighting operations, but firefighters in the wildland-urban interface are often faced with serious challenges related to water availability. Relatively small communities may not be connected to a large municipal water source, relying on individual or small community wells and lacking fire hydrants. Unfortunately, newly developed areas may also have been cleared of nearby surface waters like ponds and wetlands, leaving firefighters to rely on mutual aid fire departments to truck in water from a distance.
Identifying alternative water sources in advance is crucial for successful firefighting operations in the WUI. Fire departments must engage with communities in preplanning efforts and coordinate with local water authorities to identify nearby fire ponds, rivers, and other water bodies that can serve as viable sources during emergencies. This proactive approach helps streamline operations and ensures a more efficient response when time is of the essence.
Dry Water, Dire Consequences
When there’s not enough water to fight a fire effectively, or even if the water takes too long to get there, the consequences can be significant and far-reaching.
- Without sufficient water, firefighters may be unable to control and contain the fire, allowing it to continue to spread and destroy property.
- Without adequate water, firefighters may be forced to enter hazardous situations without their full complement of firefighting capabilities.
- Wildfires that are not effectively contained can spread extremely rapidly. In 2018, many news outlets reported that Northern California’s Camp Fire was “hopscotching…(and consuming) at a rate of roughly 80 football fields per minute,” forcing communities and residents to flee their homes with little warning.
- Hindrances to effective firefighting caused by inadequate water supplies can produce severe consequences, including increased property damage, significant environmental harm, contaminated drinking water supplies, and a prolonged recovery.
A decision in the WUI to put off plans for fire suppression ponds to next year’s budget can have drastic, long-lasting consequences. It’s important to encourage input from all parts of a community that sits on the wildland-urban interface to ensure that the urgency is clear, and decisions are being made with the health of the entire community in mind.
BMPs for Water Supply Problems in the WUI
The key to responding effectively to water supply problems during wildfires in the Wildland-Urban Interface is to maximize the efficient use of available water. That may lead to some tough calls in the heat of the moment, but it is essential to prioritize water allocation and make strategic decisions based on critical needs and the highest firefighting priorities. This may involve difficult choices regarding resource allocation or adjusting firefighting goals and tactics to conserve water. By making these difficult choices, firefighters can ensure that water resources are utilized most effectively, increasing the chances of successful fire suppression and minimizing the impact on lives and property.
Before the Alarm Sounds: Pre-Fire Planning and Preparedness
- In areas where fire danger is high, and water supplies are questionable, fire teams should identify alternative water sources, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and community water supplies such as fire retention ponds. Signed access and use agreements for each alternative water source should be kept on file. This information will be shared among mutual-aid departments so everyone on-site during a fire emergency can coordinate effectively.
- Install infrastructure to allow safe and easy access to backup water supplies. These include dry hydrants, easy-access drafting points, or gates that can be deployed temporarily to create a deeper draft in a shallow stream. Regular testing and inspection are necessary to ensure everything is in good working order.
Water Conservation and Management
It may seem counterintuitive to mention water conservation when there are a dozen firefighters spraying water from huge hoses, apparently at full blast. But firefighting is more nuanced than that, and there is room for limited water supplies to be stretched—to a point.
- Adjust nozzle settings to optimize water usage and minimize wastage.
- Strategic positioning and deployment of water tenders and nurse tankers for maximum efficiency when shuttle operations are used.
- Discourage community members from using their hoses to wet their homes and roofs before a wildfire—the water will have largely evaporated well before it can be effective.
Collaborative Efforts and Mutual Aid:
In challenging environments like the WUI, it’s vital to foster strong relationships and establish mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire departments to share water tenders, equipment, personnel, and other resources. Coordinated firefighting efforts enhance water supply capabilities, while synergistic responses among agencies improve overall effectiveness and optimize the use of available water.
