Navigating and Mitigating Wildfire Risk in the US-Navigating and Mitigating Wildfire Risk in the US

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the recent webinar, "Navigating and Mitigating Wildfire Risk in the U.S.," hosted by the Inland Marine Underwriters Association, Dr. Tom Jeffrey, a senior hazard scientist, discussed key issues related to wildfire risks in recent years, focusing on the U.S. and California. Wildfire frequency has decreased over recent decades, but the magnitude and destruction of these fires have increased. This is due in part to larger and more intense fires occurring more frequently, challenging suppression efforts significantly despite increased spending.<br /><br />Dr. Jeffrey highlighted the misconception that wildfires predominantly affect forested areas, noting that urban areas are not immune due to embers, which are the primary cause of structural fires. He emphasized that residential mitigation measures like using fire-resistant materials and maintaining a cleared perimeter could significantly reduce risk, although no home can be entirely fireproof.<br /><br />The webinar also touched on the increasing vulnerability of urban areas to conflagrations, where fires spread from house to house, fueled by strong winds and close proximity of buildings. The example of recent fires was used to illustrate the widespread destruction possible, challenging current regulatory and insurance frameworks.<br /><br />During the Q&A, questions around policy, sustainable constructions, and risk management were addressed, highlighting the critical need for strategic planning and response improvement to minimize wildfire damage and insurance risks. Dr. Jeffrey concluded that while significant investments and modifications in urban planning and building standards could help, the current framework requires more robust solutions.

Asset Caption

A timely update on wildfire risk, including the Southern California fires. Where homes and businesses are located is the first step towards understanding wildfire risk. How these structures are placed and the materials that are used is the second step. The types of mitigation practices that are in place on the structure, on the property, and in the community are the third step towards defining wildfire risk.

During this discussion Dr. Jeffery provides insight into how existing properties may either contribute to or deter wildfire encroachment as well as how new construction can proactively incorporate practices that help reduce wildfire damage. Recent fire activity is used to explain how fires can become conflagration and what can be done to avoid or reduce fire damage and destruction.

Presented by:

Thomas C. Jeffery, Ph.D.
Sr. Principal Geospatial Scientist
CoreLogic

Keywords

wildfire risk

U.S.

California

Inland Marine Underwriters Association

Dr. Tom Jeffrey

urban areas

fire-resistant materials

conflagrations

insurance frameworks

risk management

urban planning