The important relationship between natural and built environments and improvements to fire safety and infrastructure resilience were highlighted as lessons Australia can learn from the Los Angeles (LA) fires, according to a panel of local and international experts.
In the special second Hazardous Webinar on the topic, international guest speaker, Dr Faraz Hedayati, lead research engineer at the Institute for Business and Home Safety based in Charlotte, North Carolina, presented critical findings on the devastating fires in LA.
According to Dr Hedyati, the LA fires were characterised by severe drought conditions and strong winds which significantly exacerbated fire spread. Dr Hedayati noted that winds speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour made firefighting efforts extremely challenging. The combination of dry vegetation and high winds created a perfect storm for rapid fire growth, with 70 per cent of the Palisade fire's growth occurring in just 14 hours.
Dr Hedayati categorised three main types of contributing factors:
- Natural environment: the severe drought conditions in LA and Ventura Counties led to dry surface fuels, which are highly flammable.
- Built environment: structural density and materials were crucial in fires spread. Experiments conducted by Dr Hedayati’s team demonstrated that the distance between buildings significantly affected the likelihood of fire spread. For instance, a separation of 12 metres led to very little chance of damage to neighbouring houses.
- Human factors: girst responders’ role and community preparedness were essential in mitigating fire impacts. US homeowners are generally advised to evacuate their properties rather than stay and defend in contrast with some Australian practices.
The panel discussion included Dr Hedayati, Dr Raphaele Blanchi (CSIRO), Joe Buffone (National Emergency Management Agency) and Centre CEO Andrew Gissing emphasised the importance of understanding structural density in urban planning, the role of first responders, the built environment and community preparedness in mitigating fire risks.
Dr Blanchi leads the Centre project Integrated solutions for bushfire adaptive homes and spoke about the importance of community engagement and education, not just engineering solutions to bushfire resilient homes.
Key takeaways for Australia:
- Building regulations: there is a need for stricter building regulations that consider the risks associated with urban conflagration, particularly in high-density areas.
- Community preparedness: engaging communities in fire preparedness and education around the importance of maintaining defensible spaces around homes can significantly enhance resilience.
- Mitigation strategies: implementing effective mitigation strategies, such as creating fuel-free zones around homes and using non-combustible materials, can help reduce fire risks.
Dr Hedayati's research and the panel discussion demonstrate the need for a comprehensive approach to fire management that considers both natural landscapes and built environments. Learning from the fires in LA provides Australia with the opportunity to improve fire resilience strategies to protect lives and properties from future fire disasters.
Watch the webinar recording below.