Arctic communities assess wildfire risk to homes
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Wildfire scientists in Alaska and Canada developed a new tool to quickly assess the risk approaching wildfires pose to structures in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Whitehorse.
Jennifer I. Schmidt of the University of Alaska Anchorage led a team that created a method using existing local data, building layouts, zoning, and vegetation, to determine which buildings face the greatest danger. The assessment revealed that between 14% and 26% of structures in those cities are at high or very high risk from wildfire.
The researchers based their method on the idea that a building’s risk depends on nearby flammable materials and the overall wildfire exposure of the surrounding landscape. They assigned hazard ratings to different types of trees, and even counted structures themselves as potential fuel sources. This allowed them to create a detailed map showing where fire is most likely to spread and impact buildings.
The team tested the tool’s accuracy by examining the 2019 McKinley wildfire in Alaska, finding that structures with higher wildfire exposure were significantly more likely to burn. They also worked with local residents and fire managers to refine the model, incorporating information about spruce beetle infestations and ensuring the maps were easy to understand. The researchers made the assessment tools publicly available, hoping to empower communities to take action and reduce their wildfire risk.
