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Suburbanization of the Fire Terrain: A Planner’s Perspective Rick Brady, AICP
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Suburbanization of the Fire Terrain Hazard Mitigation Response Case Studies Sustainability Considerations A Planner’s Perspective Overview
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History of Suburbanization Building Suburbia: Greenfields and Urban Growth, 1820-2000 (Dolores Hayden) Suburbanization of the Fire Terrain Sprawl: A Compact History (Robert Bruegmann)
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Suburbanization of the Fire Terrain CA Population: 15 million in 1960 30 million in 1990 33 million in 2008
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Suburbanization of the Fire Terrain Result: Expansion of the Wildland- Urban Interface (WUI) Place where “the leaves meet the eaves.” Protecting life and property major challenge
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Suburbanization of the Fire Terrain Unintended Consequence: Catastrophic Loss from Wildfire California 1960s: 2,000+ homes burned Large wildfires in 1970, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994 through 1999, 2003, and 2007
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Suburbanization of the Fire Terrain Unintended Consequence: Catastrophic Loss from Wildfire San Diego County 2003 Cedar Fire: 16 dead, 383,000 acres burned, 2,722 homes lost, ~$1 billion damage 2007 Fires : 10 dead, 369,000 acres burned, 1,600 homes lost, ~$1.5 billion damage
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Hazard Mitigation Planning General Plan Safety Elements Hazard Mitigation Response Defensible Space Codes Requirement increased 30-ft to 100-ft
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Urban-Wildland Interface Codes
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FEMA funded / State administration City applied post Cedar Fire (2003) $2.3 mil supplement for $3.9 mil from City General Fund 679 acres, 6,400 at-risk homes Awarded, but not funded to date City of San Diego Brush Management
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Shelter In Place Strategies Origins in Australia Safe to stay in home, if evacuation is not a safe option. Setting bar for newer sprawling subdivisions in the WUI.
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Shelter In Place Critics False sense of security Exposure to smoke unavoidable Rationalizes further expansion into the WUI
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Case Studies
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Fanita Ranch 130-ft Defensible Space Wildland Access Emergency Access Ignition Resistant Construction Sprinklers Fire Station
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Sustainability Considerations Environment Direct Impacts: More defensible space = more habitat take Indirect Impacts: Suburbanization = VMT = GHG = Climate Change & Drought = Increased Fire Hazards Economy Damages in the billions $$. WUI expansion stresses under-funded local and state agencies. Equity De-facto income segregation Tax payer burden
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A Planner’s Perspective Increased exposure to wildfire hazards is an unintended consequence of suburbanization of the fire terrain Comprehensive regional approach to planning and the WUI that emphasizes sustainability is ideal Suburbanization of the fire terrain continues If inevitable, safer building practices should be encouraged
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