In August 2023, a devastating wildfire swept through Lahaina, Maui, destroying many homes but sparing a few. The factors what made certain properties more resilient to wildfire were recently outlined in this recent NPR article:
- Vegetation Cleared from Yard: Removing flammable plants and dry vegetation reduces the amount of fuel for wildfires, making it harder for flames to reach the house.
- Metal Roof: Metal roofs are fire-resistant and don’t ignite from falling embers, unlike wooden or shingle roofs.
- Non-combustible Fences: These fences, made of materials like metal or stone, prevent fires from spreading to the house through burning fences.
- Drip Zone Around Perimeter: A cleared area around the home that prevents plants and mulch from catching fire and spreading flames to the structure.
- Noncombustible Siding: Siding made from materials like brick, stucco, or metal helps protect the house from catching fire if exposed to radiant heat or embers.
- Double-paned Windows: These windows are more resistant to heat and breakage from flying debris, keeping the interior of the home safer from fire intrusion.
Each of the measures above increases a chance of a structure surviving a wildfire. In addition to structure-specific measures, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) recently reviewed the Lahaina fire in a new report and highlighted community-level measures that contributed to Lahaina tragic fires. These factors include:
- Structure density: Flames from burning homes often extended over twenty feet, rapidly igniting homes at closer distances downwind.
- Connective fuels: Connective fuels acted as pathways that brought fire to and enabled its spread through the built environment, including plants, secondary buildings and vehicles.
- Building materials: Fire-resistant building materials offer higher resistance against thermal exposures compared to traditional materials, but their effectiveness was