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Fire Research » Fire & Forest Management
 Wildland–Urban
Interface
General Overview
What is the Wildland–Urban Interface?
Wildland–urban interface areas exist wherever residential, industrial,
or agricultural structures are located within or adjacent to trees and
other combustible vegetation. Wildfires that have the potential to involve
buildings and wildland vegetation simultaneously are known as interface
fires. As in many other locations around the world, the threat of interface
fires in Canada is increasing and so are the economic and social impacts.
For example, in Canada during 1998, interface fires forced the evacuation
of 18 000 residents, and another 46 000 were placed on evacuation alert.
Wildland–urban interface fires present a unique set of challenges
and obstacles that must be addressed through practical, proactive, community-based
solutions. The purpose of this section of the Web site is to provide a
general overview of Canada's wildland–urban interface and practical
tools for creating fire-smart communities in Canada.
For more information, contact:
| Pete Bothwell |
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| Canadian Forest Service
Northern Forestry Centre
5320 - 122 Street
Edmonton, AB T6H 3S5 |
Phone: (780) 435-7312
Fax: (780) 435-7359
e-mail: pbothwel@nrcan.gc.ca |
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