FireFighterNation

Given tightening budgets and the increasing size of WUI/wildland events, many fire departments are simply unable to sufficiently protect their response area from WUI/wildland fire. One solution to this problem is to teach the public how to do its part to prevent WUI/wildland incidents. Jane Jerrard interviews Bob Roper, chair of the IAFC’s Wildland Fire Committee, on a new guide that teaches the public, fire departments and local government how to work together to protect their communities.

The aviation industry and the military have used simulators for years to train their personnel on tactics and strategies. The fire service has traditionally used sand tables as its form of “simulation.” But as Erik Litzenberg discusses, there are many new and technologically advanced forms of simulators on the market today that are geared toward WUI/wildland firefighting.

Environmental officials are saying the massive brush fire that destroyed two homes and a commercial building on eastern Long Island was intentionally set.

To overcome the growing WUI fire problem in the United States, many things need to happen, primarily, the improved protection of life and property. And to accomplish this, firefighters must first understand what they’re up against when battling a large conflagration that’s either burning in or toward a populated area. To help develop that understanding, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a WUI fire data-collection system. Chief researcher Alex Maranghides describes this two-stage system and how it has helped his team gather useful data on fires in California and Texas.

Authorities say a Michigan wildfire that's burned at least 1,500 acres and forced the evacuation of about 50 homes has been fully contained.