Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Final reports were prepared for the original U.S. Forest Service grant that dealt with identifying landscape vulnerabilities to fire, flammability of different shrub species, effects of fuel mitigation treatments on subsequent fuel availablility, and development of a regionally-wildfire risk assessment guide for homeowners and individual properties. The flammability research with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) in Maryland focused on variations in flammability among common landscaping shrub species. That work resulted in a new NIST grant to evaluate mulch effects on shrub flammability and ignition. The first two phases of the new grant were completed in 2006. One study involved four common mulches subjected to three different drought regimes under field conditions. Burns were completed in May and the results were presented at the Third International Fire Ecology and Management Congress in San Diego
in November. The second study was conducted in the NIST controlled burn chambers at the BFRL in October. Although most of the data from the second study are still being analyzed, the general results confirmed the field study and were partially presented at the Fire Congress. The NIST grant will continue in 2007 with field and lab studies of mulch and shrub interaction effects on fire behavior.
Impacts
The fire characteristics of different mulches will be combined with other information on mulches to provide improved guidelines for mulch use in different landscaping situations. The information is also being incorporated in a NIST-developed physics-based model for fire spread through landscaping and WUI communities.
Publications
- Long, A., Hinton, B., Zipperer, W., Hermansen-Baez, A., Maranghides, A. and Mell, W. 2006. Fire spread and structural ignitions from horticultural plantings in the wildland-urban interface. 3rd International Fire Congress, San Diego, CA, November, 2006.
- Long, A., Behm, A., Zipperer, W., Hermansen-Baez, A. and Maranghides, A. 2006. Quantifying and ranking the flammability of ornamental shrubs in the Southern United States. 3rd International Fire Congress, San Diego, CA, November, 2006.
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Progress 03/15/02 to 09/30/06
Outputs
OUTPUTS: One of the major issues in the southern wildland-urban interface (WUI) is the loss of homes and structures to wildland fire. In most situations individual landowners must assume some responsibility for mitigating their risk. Guidelines to help them fireproof their homes and landscapes did not exist with southwide application. This project involved two major thrusts: develop detailed guidelines to help landowners assess their particular risk of fire and evaluate the options they can use to design fire-safe landscape; and improve information on the flammability of different shrubs and mulches used for landscaping to reduce the likelihood of structural ignitions. The project was a collaborative effort between the University of Florida, US Forest Service (USFS) Southern Research Station, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). As reported in annual progress reports, development of the guidelines included research studies of the effects of different landscaping
patterns on structural damage in wildfires in a number of southern states, flammability characteristics for typical vegetative communities common to WUI zones in Florida, vegetation responses to different fuel mitigation methods near WUI homes and expert opinions on important recommendations for landowners. The resulting products included a Wildfire Risk Assessment Guide for Homeowners in the Southern United States, with 50,000 distributed copies and online accessibility, and four additional sets of guidelines that deal with landscaping goals, maintaining a firewise landscape, fire behavior in the WUI and wildfire characteristics in different WUI ecosystems. All are available in printed and online versions. Flammability of landscaping shrubs and mulches were studied in a series of tests conducted under controlled field conditions in Florida and at the Building Fire Research Lab at NIST. Initial studies evaluated 34 different shrub species and four mulches under three different drought
regimes. Results clearly demonstrated that shrubs can be sorted into high versus low flammability classes and that mulches vary significantly in their contributions to fire spread and potential to lead to structural ignitions. The last research study combined a high and low flammability shrub species with the two most problematic mulches to evaluate how the different landscaping elements interact in fire behavior. The burns were conducted in both mid summer and late fall to compare effects of mulch settling and seasonal differences. The shrub flammability results were used to design a key and online decision support system for evaluating the potential flammability characteristics of other plants and shrubs. The shrub and mulch flammability results are being summarized for peer-review publication in a professional journal and as a USFS publication. The research results, guidelines and technology transfer products from both parts of this project have been presented in national, state
and local meetings of landscape architects, fire management officials and homeowners, and are being used by state and county fire and extension agents for landowner programs in most of the southern states.
PARTICIPANTS: Wayne Zipperer, US Forest Service, Southern Forest Research Station, Gainesville, FL. Alex Maranghides and William Mell, Building Fire Research Lab, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include: Extension agents and state forestry organizations, landscaing organizations, homeowners
Impacts
A total of 9 communities (and fire events) and 39 homes were evaluated during the early stages of this project. Data analysis indicated that some of the key factors linked to home ignitions or damage were certain organic mulches in contact with structures, non-firewise landscaping within 50 feet of the structure, and vinyl siding or soffits. Only a small area of separation was necessary to prevent fire from spreading through landscape plants. The subsequent flammability research clearly demonstrated that some shrub species (such as Ilex glabra, Serenoa repens, and Juniperus sp.) are much more flammable than most other species and require caution in landscaping around homes in fire-prone areas. Mulches also vary dramatically, with pine needles demonstrating rates of fire spread 10 times higher than the pine bark and shredded cypress mulches that were tested. Large pine bark, although burning slower, generates as much heat over a long period of time as the pine needles
and also represents a significant risk if placed next to wood or vinyl structures. Small compact shrubs with large amounts of foliage will ignite if either adjacent pine bark or needle mulches are burning. These results have already been used in several states (eg, North Carolina and Florida) to address firewise landscaping issues. The risk assessment protocol, landscape characteristics associated with fire and flammability lists provide wildland-urban interface homeowners, extension agents and fire management professionals with guidelines they can use to reduce the risk that WUI homes would be damaged by a wildfire. Guidelines are applicable in all southern states. A majority of the 30,000 printed copies of the wildfire risk assessment guidelines were distributed across the South, including a request for 5,000 in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. Other agencies who have used these materials in landowner-focused programs include: FL Division of Forestry (DOF), Virginia DOF,
Cooperative Extension Service Southern Region at Univ of Georgia, USFS facilities, AL Forestry Commission, TN DOF, GA Forestry Commission, Urban & Community Forestry Program in DC, and the FL Red Cross. The Guide was also used for training fire prevention people around Florida and for a continuing education program for the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Publications
- Behm, A.L. and Duryea, M.L. 2003. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Considering fire in Floridas ecosystems. Univ. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular 1431. 14 p.
- Randall, C. 2003. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Understanding fire behavior. Univ. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular 1432. 6 p.
- Randall, C.K., Hermansen-Baez, L.A. and Acomb, G. 2006. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Reducing wildfire risk while achieving other landscaping goals. Univ. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular 1478. 8 p.
- Long, A., B. Hinton, W. Zipperer, A. Maranghides, W. Mell. 2007. Flammability characteristics of landscape mulches. NIST Fire Conference, Gaithersburg, MD. April.
- Zipperer, W., A. Long, B. Hinton, A. Maranghides, W. Mell. 2007. Mulch flammability. Emerging Issues along Urban/Rural Interfaces II Conference, Atlanta, GA, April 9-12. 4 p
- Long, A. and W. Zipperer. 2007. Flammability of mulches and shrubs. Florida Firewise Conference, Orlando, FL. October 2.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
A majority of the 30,000 printed copies (including the 15,000 reported last year) of the wildfire risk assessment guidelines have been distributed across the South, including a request for 5,000 in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. The Guide was also used for training with fire prevention people around Florida and for a continuing education program for the American Society of Landscape Architects. Final reports are in preparation for all subprojects and will be completed before the July 2006 grant termination. The objective of the first subproject was to identify landscape characteristics that make homes vulnerable to fire. A total of 9 communities (and fire events) and 39 homes were evaluated during this study. Data analysis indicated that some of the key factors linked to home ignitions or damage were certain organic mulches in contact with structures, non-firewise landscaping within 50 feet of the structure, and vinyl siding or soffits. Only a small area of
separation was necessary to prevent fire from spreading through landscape plants. The second subproject extended the original research on flammability of different species to controlled flammability tests of 34 different shrub species at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Building and Fire Research Laboratory in Maryland. The results of that study have been submitted for publication in the International Journal of Wildland Fire (Behm A.L., Zipperer, W.C., Maranghides, A., Randall, C.K. and Long, A.J. Quantifying and ranking the flammability of ornamental shrubs in the southern United States.); the results were also used to develop a key that utilizes significant flammability factors to help extension agents and nursery managers develop local lists of more or less firewise plants for landscaping. That key is available both on-line and in extension publication format. In addition, the work in this subproject has resulted in a new NIST grant to evaluate mulch
effects on shrub flammability and ignition. The third study compared the effects of no fuel reduction with mowing, herbicide application, and prescribed burning (with a no treatment). Post treatment vegetation response was again measured on the plots, and half of the plots were prescribed burned for future evaluation of mixed treatments on shrub resprouting.
Impacts
The risk assessment protocol, landscape characteristics associated with fire and flammability lists provide wildland-urban interface homeowners with guidelines they can use to reduce the risk that their homes would be damaged by a wildfire. They have also been used in the last year by both Florida and Louisiana agencies to help landowners deal with fire risk created by hurricane damaged vegetation. Guidelines are applicable in all southern states.
Publications
- Randall, C.K. and Hermansen-Baez, L.A. 2005. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Reducing wildfire risk while achieving other landscaping goals. Univ. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular.
- Hermansen, A., Smith, W., Long, A., Randall, C., Behm, A., Doran, D. 2004. Fire in the wildland-urban interface in the USA South. P. 319-334 in Forestry Serving Urbanized Societies, IUFRO Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2002.
- Long, A., Renner, C., Rowan, C., Steinberg, M. 2005. Landscape design issues in fire prone environments. American Society of Landscape Architects Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
- Long, A. and Monroe, M. 2004. Fire concerns in Florida. Florida Society of Landscape Architects, Annual Meeting, Daytona Beach, FL.
- Long, A. and Hermanson, A. 2004. Establishing a wildland-urban interface research and technology transfer unit for the South. National Fire Plan Annual Meeting, Reno, NV.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The wildfire risk assessment guidelines were revised after review by fire experts in all but two southern states. 15,000 copies of the final version of the Guide were printed and about half of those have been distributed per requests from various southern agencies. Alabama requested permission to print an additional 20,000 for distribution through Alabama Forestry Commission offices. The Guide describes factors that influence a homes vulnerability to wildfire, especially in terms of vegetation around the home, building design and construction materials. It then provides a simple assessment protocol for homeowners to assess their particular risk of fire and a list of options they can use to design fire-safe landscapes and correct particular high risk features. Data collection for several concurrent subprojects was also completed this year. The objective of the first subproject was to identify landscape characteristics that make homes vulnerable to fire. Immediately
after a fire, individual homes were surveyed to examine the relationship between structural damage and landscape characteristics. Variables included the area of defensible space, spatial arrangement of landscape plants, mulch use, and species of plants. In 2004, three more communities were visited (2 in Florida, 1 in Virginia) and data were collected at 8 threatened homes, 6 of which were damaged and one destroyed by the fires. A total of 9 communities (and fire events) and 39 homes were evaluated during this study. Data analysis indicated that some of the key factors linked to home ignitions or damage were certain organic mulches in contact with structures, non-firewise landscaping within 50 feet of the structure, and vinyl siding or soffits. Only a small area of separation was necessary to prevent fire from spreading through landscape plants. The second subproject extended the original research on flammability of different species to controlled flammability tests of 34 different
shrub species at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Building and Fire Research Laboratory in Maryland. Data analysis and report preparation are in progress for that study. Preliminary results suggest that most species are fairly similar in the main components of flammability, but several species are distinctly more flammable and will be important to list as high risk species on future plant lists. A third study compared the effects of no fuel reduction with mowing, herbicide application, and prescribed burning (with a no treatment). Second year post treatment vegetation response was measured on half the plots, with all but the herbicide treatment continuing to show substantial vegetative fuel regrowth.
Impacts
The risk assessment protocol, landscape characteristics associated with fire and flammability lists will provide wildland-urban interface homeowners with guidelines they can use to reduce the risk that their homes would be damaged by a wildfire. Guidelines are applicable in all southern states. Ten publications (refereed or extension), presentations and posters were completed in 2004 and one Masters degree technical paper.
Publications
- Doran, J.D., Long, A.J. and Randall, C.K. 2004. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Fuel management techniques for private landowners. Univ. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular. 9 p.
- Ehlers, L. 2004. Creating a wildfire risk assessment guide for homeowners in the southern United States. MFRC Technical Paper, University of Florida, Gainesville.
- Randall, C., Long, A.J., Monroe, M., Behm, A.L., Hermansen, L.A., and Zipperer, W.C. 2004. A cooperative approach to addressing the wildfire problem in the southern wildland-urban interface. 4th ANREP Conference, Wheeling, WV, May 16-19.
- Behm, A., Duryea, M., Long, A.J., Zipperer, W.C., Randall, C.K. 2003. Flammability of native understory species within pine flatwood and hardwood hammock ecosystems. 2nd International Wildland Fire Ecology and Fire Management Congress, Orlando, Nov. 19.
- Behm, A., Hermansen-Baez, L.A., Long, A.J., Monroe, M., Randall, C.K., Zipperer, W.C., McDonell, L. 2004. Landscaping to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface: Identifying firewise species. 2004 Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, Atlanta, GA, Aug 11-12.
- Long, A.J., Randall, C.K., Behm, A.L., Ehlers, L., Hermansen, L.A., Zipperer, W.C. 2004. Assessing and mitigating fire risk for landowners in the southern wildland-urban interface. Wildland Fire 2004 Conference: Surviving the Interface Danger Zone, Reno, NV, March 3-5.
- Behm, A.L., Long, A.J., Monroe, M.C., Randall, C.K., Zipperer, W.C. and Hermansen-Baez, L.A. 2004. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Preparing a firewise plant list for WUI residents. Univ. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular 1453. 9 p.
- Doran, J.D., Randall, C.K., and Long, A.J. 2004. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Selecting and maintaining firewise plants for landscaping. Univ. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular 1445. 6 p.
- Behm, A.L., Duryea, M.L., Long, A.J. and Zipperer, W.C. 2004. Flammability of native understory species in pine flatwood and hardwood hammock ecosystems and implications for the wildland-urban interface. International Journal of Wildland Fire 13(3):355-365.
- Long, A.J., Wade, D.D. and Beall, F.C. 2004. Managing for fire in the interface: Challenges and opportunities. P 201-223 in Vince, S.W., Duryea, M.L., Macie, E.A. and Hermansen, L.A. (eds), Forests at the Wildland-Urban Interface: Conservation and Management, CRC Press, Boca Raton.
- Long, A.J. and Randall, C.K. 2004. Wildfire risk assessment guide for homeowners in the southern United States. University of Florida, IFAS. 16 p.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 10/01/03
Outputs
Detailed guidelines have been drafted to help landowners assess their particular risk of fire and evaluate the options they can use to design fire-safe landscapes. The development of the guidelines is based on concurrent subprojects. The objective of the first subproject is to identify landscape characteristics that make homes vulnerable to fire. Immediately after a fire, individual homes are surveyed to examine the relationship between structural damage and landscape characteristics. Variables include the area of defensible space, spatial arrangement of landscape plants, mulch use, and species of plants. In 2003, four more communities were visited (2 in Florida, 1 in Alabama, 1 in South Carolina) and data were collected at 23 threatened homes, 12 of which were damaged by the fires. A total of 6 communities and 31 homes have been evaluated so far. Data will be collected through June 2004. The second study compared flammability components (ignitability, sustainability,
combustablity and consumability) of native understory species commonly found in pine flatwood and hardwood hammock ecosystems in north central Florida and used in landscape plantings. Three individuals of 6 species (Gaylussacia dumosa, Ilex glabra, Lyonia ferruginea, Vaccinium myrsinities, Myrica cerifera, and Serenoa repens) from 5 pine flatwood sites and 6 species (Callicarpa americana, Ilex opaca, Quercus nigra, Vaccinium arboreum, Myrica cerifera, and Serenoa repens) from 5 hardwood hammock sites were harvested for biomass analyses. Plant components were separated into live and dead foliage, accumulated litter on and under plant, and small (<6 mm diameter) and large (>6 mm diameter) twigs, branches, and stems. The foliar biomass component was further analyzed for leaf area, volatile solids, and energy content. Statistical analyses revealed differences between ecosystem types and among species. Pine flatwoods overall had higher ignitability (lower moisture content, greater litter
depth), combustability (higher energy content), and consumability (higher fine fuel biomass), whereas hardwood hammocks had higher sustainability (greater coarse fuel biomass in twigs, branches, and stems). Serenoa repens had relatively low foliar energy content per gm, but individual plants present a high hazard due to the great amount of biomass. Ilex glabra are also hazardous to WUI structures because they have high foliar energy content and a great amount of foliar biomass per ha in flatwoods. Callicarpa americana presents the lowest fire hazard to WUI structures. The risk assessment guidelines were based on evaluation of different fuel reduction levels in a variety of southern ecosystems using the BEHAVE fire behavior prediction computer model. The guidelines were sent to fire specialists across the South for review in October. The fourth study compares the effects of no fuel reduction with mowing, herbicide application, and prescribed burning (with a no treatment). One-year post
treatment vegetation response was measured, with all but the herbicide treatment showing substantial vegetative fuel regrowth.
Impacts
The risk assessment protocol, landscape characteristics associated with fire and flammability lists will provide wildland-urban interface homeowners with guidelines they can use to reduce the possibility that their homes would be damaged by a wildfire. Guidelines are applicable in all southern states. Two extension publications (fire behavior, and WUI ecosystems) were released in 2003.
Publications
- Behm, A. L. 2003. Flammability of native understory species in pine flatwood and hardwood hammock ecosystems. MS Thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville. 100 p.
- Doran, D. 2003. Fuel reduction options for landowners at the wildland-urban interface. MFRC Technical Paper, University of Florida, Gainesville.
- Long, A.J., Duryea, M.L., Randall, C.K., Behm, A.L., Doran, J.D., Hermansen, L.A., and Zipperer, W.C. 2003. Understanding landscape fire risk for landowners in the southern wildland-urban interface. Poster, National Annual Meeting, Society of American Foresters.
- Long, A.J., Duryea, M.L., Randall, C.K., Behm, A.L., Doran, J.D., Hermansen, L.A., and Zipperer, W.C. 2003. Landowner risk assessment and fuel treatment options in the southern wildland-urban interface. Poster, National Annual Meeting, Society of American Foresters.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 10/01/02
Outputs
One of the major issues in the southern wildland-urban interface (WUI) is the loss of homes and structures to wildland fire. In most situations individual landowners must assume some responsibility for mitigating their risk. Guidelines to help them fireproof their homes and landscapes do not currently exist with southwide application. Detailed guidelines will be developed to help landowners assess their particular risk of fire and evaluate the options they can use to design fire-safe landscapes. The development of the guidelines depends on concurrent subprojects that were initiated during year 1. The first study examines the relationship between southern landscape patterns and structural vulnerability. It relies on post-fire observations of building materials and landscaping around homes in communities threatened by wildfires. During the past year we visited several such communities and observed that vegetation clearance and fire behavior were important in determining
which homes were damaged and which survived. Also, when recommended clearance distances (9 m) were not maintained, damage to homes occurred when radiant heat from adjacent burning wildland vegetation was transmitted through windows. The second study focuses on developing a list that rates common landscaping plants by their flammability. The literature review completed during the first year indicated that the characteristics of plants having the greatest influence on flammability appear to be the amount of fine fuels on a plant and the fine fuel moisture content. Sampling was initiated on major shrub and tree species in two common southeast ecosystems that contain extensive WUI developments. Plant structural and chemical measurements will be completed during the second year of the project. Objectives for the third study are to develop a simple risk assessment procedure for WUI landowners across the South, and design guidelines for presenting the assessment procedure as well as related
fire information. The first year evaluation of hazard/risk assessment systems used around the country indicated that no satisfactory system currently exists for individual landowners in the South to assess their own property. Attributes of a new system will contain both home risk and fuel hazard components. Hazard ratings for different ecosystems will be based on existing fuel models for different vegetation communities. The fourth study evaluates the various methods available to individual homeowners for reducing hazardous fuels in the landscape surrounding their homes. Details of alternative methods were summarized. A set of treatment comparisons (mowing, herbicide, prescribed burning and no treatment) was installed to track long term effects of the different methods. Initial treatment applications were completed.
Impacts
Reduced home losses to wildland fire, especially in the wildland urban interface
Publications
- Behm, A.L. and Duryea, M.L. 2002. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: considering fire in Florida's ecosystems. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Factsheet FR-137. 14 p.
- Randall, C.K., Duryea, M.L. and Long, A.J. 2002. The relationship between interface landscapes and structural vulnerability: A literature review. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Factsheet FR-. 8 p.
- Randall, C.K. and Long, A.J. 2002. Fire in the wildland-urban interface: Understanding fire behavior. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Factsheet FR-. 6 p.
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