Pacific Southwest Research Station

Pacific Southwest Research Station
800 Buchanan Street
West Annex Building
Albany, CA 94710-0011

(510) 559-6300

Urban Ecosystems and Social Dynamics

Urban Ecosystems and Processes

Alternative Prescriptions for Firewise Residential Landscapes

Summary

The study objectives are: (1) to develop a web-based, user-friendly parcel-scale decision support tool for planners and managers that integrates air quality, hydrology, energy, and firewise landscape prescriptions with homeowner values and expectations of the landscape [EcoSmart]; and (2) to advance fire science at the urban-wildland interface in the areas of fuels management, fire behavior modeling, and the socio-economics of non-compliance with firewise regulations. Researchers will employ standard Forest Service forest inventory and analysis techniques (Phase 3 Field Methods Guide - 2001) for landscape measurements, and NFPA 299 - Standard for Protection of Life and Property from Wildfire (1997) for fire hazard assessments.

Years of Research:  2000-present

Funded by:  National Fire Plan 2000-2001

Cooperators:  National Institute of Standards and Technology, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, City of South Lake Tahoe, USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Management Unit

Products / Publications:

1. de Jong, L. 2003. Fire hazard assessment of South Lake Tahoe. Fire Management Today :63(2) - View Document [54.03 KB]

2. Geiger, J.R. 2004. Getting Your Parcel Firesafe - New Research and a Computer Tool You Should Know About. Davis, CA: Center for Urban Forest Research, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service; ppt., 94. Speech - View Document [4.77 MB]

3. de Jong, L. 2002. Improving Fire Hazard Assessment at the Urban-Wildland Interface: Case Study in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Davis, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Center for Urban Forest Research - View Document [767.17 KB]

4. Blonski, K., M. Bradley, and L. de Jong. 2-Dec. Report on the first wildfire physics workshop: fire behavior modeling at the wildland/urban interface. Unpublished Report

5. De Jong, L., J. K. Gilless. 2003. Testing Rothermel's fire spread model in California grassland fuels under no-wind, no-slope conditions in the laboratory. In review

6. de Jong, L.A. 2002. UWI Landscaping Assisted by Fire Models. Fire.gov Better fire fighting through research - View Website

7. de Jong, L. and G. McPherson. 2003. Urban forestry at the urban-wildland interface. In Review

8. Geiger, J.R. 2002. Where's the fire?. Davis, CA: Center for Urban Forest Research, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service; 4p. Research summary - View Document [302.41 KB]