What is the Wildland Urban Interface?

Simply put, it can be defined as an area where the potential for wildland fires (due to a combination of natural fuels, topography, and weather patterns may threaten or impact human development. Single-family homes, sub-divisions, farms, ranches, as well as infrastructure such as roads, bridges, utilties and watersheds could all possibly be within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).                     

The Term wildland-urban interface can distort the perception of the primary issues. It can direct attention to"where" structures are located (e.g. at the edge of communities near the wildland) rather than if they are highly ignitable. And if so, the focus on "where" can result in a concern about things that won’t make a big difference in reducing structure loss (i.e., how fire fighters and equipment get there, what type of fire equipment is needed, and the location of fire hydrants and water sources). How wide the roads are and where the fire hydrants are located become of little value if there are more structures at risk than equipment to protect them, or if it’s too dangerous to safely be there with fire-fighting forces. The essence of this issue is not where structures and domestic landscapes adjoin wildland, but the location, density, and availability of ignitable structures. Which structures are at the greatest risk, ignition-resistant homes bordering the wildland or a dense subdivision with wood shingle roofs several miles away from wildland fuels? The wildland/urban interface is not geographic location, but rather a set of conditions  that can exist in many communities.  (NFPA 1144 - 2008 Edition).

Wildfires in Montana are a real threat, and as events n the last several decades have proved, can be extremely costly to residents and taxpayers alike. For example, the 2006 Derby Fire (photo - left) destroyed over twenty structures in rural parts of Stillwater and Sweetgrass counties, despite the best efforts of local, state, and Federal firefighters. With limited fire suppression resources, the best defense against the impacts of wildland fire begin with homeowner awareness and an acceptance that simple and effective measures can be taken--before a wildfire happens--to reduce losses of property or even life.