NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
The wildland-urban interface fire problem - Current approaches and Research Needs
Published
Author(s)
William E. Mell, Samuel L. Manzello, Alexander Maranghides, David T. Butry, Ronald G. Rehm
Abstract
Wildfires that spread into wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities present significant challenges on a number of fronts. In the United States the WUI accounts for a significant portion of wildland fire suppression and wildland fuel treatment costs. Methods to reduce structure losses are focused on fuel treatments in either wildland fuels or residential fuels. There is a need for a well characterized, systematic, testing of these approaches across a range of community and structure types and fire conditions. Laboratory experiments, field measurements, fire behavior models can be used to better determine the exposure conditions faced by communities and structures. The outcome of such an effort would be proven fuel treatment techniques for wildland and residential fuels, risk assessment strategies, economic cost analysis models, and test methods with representative exposure conditions for fire resistant building designs and materials.
Mell, W.
, Manzello, S.
, Maranghides, A.
, Butry, D.
and Rehm, R.
(2010),
The wildland-urban interface fire problem - Current approaches and Research Needs, International Journal of Wildland Fire, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=902804
(Accessed October 13, 2025)