FSRI introduces new WUI firefighting training on structure triage and risk assessment

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsTraining

Structure triage course expands WUI firefighting training

The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, has released a new training course titled Structure Triage Considerations for Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting.

According to FSRI, the course bridges the gap between traditional wildland and structural firefighting training, providing guidance on assessing structure defensibility and allocating resources under extreme conditions.

The course is available free of charge and includes a certificate of completion upon successful completion.

It has a duration of 140 minutes and was last updated on Monday 22 September 2025.

The content is categorised under Wildland/WUI and focuses on helping firefighters operate effectively in mixed fire environments.

Course content and learning objectives

FSRI said the course enables participants to identify fuels present in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), both natural and manmade, and understand how these fuels influence fire spread mechanisms.

Participants will also learn to analyse structural ignition pathways and their contribution to ignition risk and fire spread, supporting informed decision making in resource-limited scenarios.

The training covers how community layout, access and egress, and surrounding landscape influence resilience and conflagration potential.

FSRI added that the course integrates research findings and post-fire analyses to demonstrate how both structural and community features affect outcomes in WUI incidents.

Research-based training approach

The course builds on FSRI’s wider research into WUI incidents, combining scientific analysis with practical field application.

By interpreting data from previous fires, the course highlights how ignition pathways and fuel types interact in densely populated areas exposed to wildland fire conditions.

It also draws attention to how environmental and community-level variables can determine whether a structure is defensible or beyond protection.

According to UL Research Institutes, this approach aims to strengthen firefighters’ ability to make rapid, evidence-based decisions during fast-moving incidents.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The new FSRI course is particularly relevant for fire and rescue training officers, incident commanders and firefighters operating in areas where wildland and urban environments meet.

It offers structured guidance on evaluating structural defensibility and resource allocation during WUI events, aligning with current challenges faced by crews responding to climate-driven fire activity.

Fire engineers, risk assessors and community resilience planners may also find the material valuable for understanding how design, access and landscape influence fire behaviour in interface zones.

The integration of scientific data and operational lessons makes the course a useful tool for those involved in both tactical response and long-term preparedness planning.

SFPE Foundation updates handbook to support fire services addressing WUI fire risks

by Americas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsTrainingWildland Fire

New handbook to support WUI fire risk assessment

The SFPE Educational & Scientific Foundation (SFPE Foundation) has announced the upcoming release of the second edition of its Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Virtual Handbook for Fire Risk Assessment & Mitigation.

According to the SFPE Foundation, the handbook will be available online and for download from 19 August 2025.

The second edition has been produced with funding from a 2022 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Fire Prevention & Safety Grant.

The organisation said the handbook expands on the original 2023 edition with new content covering parcel-level and community-level mitigation.

It explained that the new version includes assessment tools, educational flyers, four instructional videos and a basic risk checklist.

The SFPE Foundation stated that the handbook is not intended to replace existing programmes, but can be used as a supplementary training and mitigation tool by any department.

Assistant Fire Chief Brad Cronin, Chair of the SFPE Fire Service Subcommittee, said: “With more and more areas becoming prone to wildfires, having the WUI Virtual Handbook available free to the fire service is an invaluable resource in addressing this hazard.

“This versatile reference can be used by departments that have no experience with WUI risk assessments to quickly evaluate areas of their jurisdiction or by those departments that are well-versed in the topic to dial in their methods.”

Handbook designed for use across all fire department experience levels

The SFPE Foundation stated that the handbook was developed to support both experienced and less experienced departments.

It said the resource can be used to support property inspection training, structure-specific fire risk assessments, homeowner education and stakeholder engagement.

The Foundation added that it may be particularly useful in jurisdictions with limited WUI experience or where fire risks are emerging.

Dr Hubert Biteau, Senior Technical Advisor at Code Red Consultants, said: “It is important to promote the 2nd Edition of the SFPE WUI Handbook for Fire Risk Assessment & Mitigation to fire services located in the WUI and with little to no WUI expertise.

“It is equally important to identify WUI locations where wildland fires are not currently a threat but may become a challenge in the near future to proactively educate communities on the identification of the foreseen hazards, adequate prevention and mitigation.”

New training pilots to test advanced WUI modules

The SFPE Foundation also announced a pilot training programme for advanced WUI fire engineering.

According to the Foundation, the training is supported by a 2023 FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety Grant and will be delivered through in-person and virtual sessions over the next nine months.

It stated that the pilot modules will cover WUI fire dynamics, fire modelling, and human behaviour in wildland-urban fires.

Two virtual pilot courses will take place in September 2025 and early 2026, and a pre-conference feedback session will be held at the SFPE Annual Conference on 21 October in Vancouver, Canada.

The Foundation said registration details for training participation will be provided during a free webinar scheduled for 19 August.

White paper highlights global collaboration and engineering approaches

In July 2025, the SFPE Foundation published a white paper titled The Contributions of Fire Engineering in Addressing the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem.

The Foundation said the paper was authored by Dr Pascale Vacca and based on findings from the WUI Working Group and the 2023 Virtual WUI Summit.

According to the Foundation, the paper presents an overview of knowledge gaps, fire engineering challenges and proposed solutions related to WUI fire risk.

It stated that the paper highlights the contribution of international volunteers and is available at https://doi.org/10.64167/x5h6-75nw.

The Foundation said this forms part of its strategy to build a body of open-access WUI research.

Online WUI library launched to share global research

The SFPE Foundation has also launched a new online WUI research library.

It said the resource brings together articles, research projects and tools that focus on the role of fire engineering in addressing WUI fire risk.

The Foundation explained that the library includes outputs from its Grand Challenges Initiative and Student Research Grants, as well as other publicly available resources.

Lisa VanBuskirk, WUI Programme Manager, is coordinating submissions of new open-access content.

Dr Leslie Marshall, Director of the SFPE Foundation, said: “Over the last few years, the SFPE Foundation has greatly expanded our efforts to bring fire engineering expertise and resources to addressing the growing wildland-urban interface fire problem, both in the United States and around the world.

“With the announcement of the Second Edition of the WUI Virtual Handbook, our efforts to develop advanced WUI training modules for the U.S. Fire Service, the publication of a white paper on WUI Fire Engineering, and our efforts to promote and publicize a growing body of global WUI research and resources through our new online library, we hope to demonstrate that fire engineers have a unique and important role to play in this ecosystem, and that we are committed to working alongside our partners – like the U.S. Fire Service, among others – to develop tools, education, research, and resources that fill critical knowledge gaps.”

Updated WUI handbook and training launched in United States: Summary

The SFPE Foundation has announced the release of the second edition of its WUI Virtual Handbook for Fire Risk Assessment & Mitigation.

The handbook will be available for free download on 19 August 2025.

It includes new content for both parcel-level and community-level mitigation.

The resource was funded by a 2022 FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety Grant.

Four videos, flyers and a risk checklist are included in the updated edition.

The Foundation said it is designed for use by fire departments with varied levels of WUI experience.

It stated the handbook does not replace existing tools but serves as a flexible companion resource.

A free webinar on 19 August will provide further guidance on how to use the handbook.

The SFPE Foundation is also piloting advanced training modules covering WUI fire dynamics and human behaviour.

These pilots will run over the next nine months, with initial sessions in late 2025.

A white paper on fire engineering and WUI fires has also been published.

An online library of WUI research has been launched by the Foundation.

This collection includes open-access material from funded and independent studies.

Valencia fire service leads wildfire safety training for El Saler residents

by Featured NewsTrainingWildland Fire

Community fire prevention campaign begins in Spain’s Valencia region

Residents of El Saler and Dehesa in Valencia, Spain, have participated in a fire safety workshop focused on forest fire prevention and emergency preparedness.

According to the Ajuntament De Valencia, the talks were organised ahead of the summer fire season and were led by local firefighters and civil protection technicians.

Emergency Councillor Juan Carlos Caballero chaired the sessions and emphasised the shared responsibility between authorities and the public in protecting local communities and natural areas.

Urban-wildland interface risks explained

The Ajuntament De Valencia stated that the workshop addressed the unique fire risk posed by the urban-wildland interface in Dehesa.

This term refers to areas where residential and forest zones overlap, which complicates emergency response due to limited access, increased home vulnerability and the effects of smoke.

Officials presented examples of how fires in these zones develop and outlined the importance of preparation in reducing risks to life and property.

Residents receive practical advice on safety measures

Participants were given guidance on what to do during a fire whether at home, in a vehicle, or walking outdoors.

The council advised residents to keep outdoor spaces clear of fuel sources, avoid storing flammable materials, shut windows and gas valves during evacuations, and follow emergency service instructions.

According to the Ajuntament De Valencia, these actions form part of a broader effort to improve individual and community readiness.

Public drills to reinforce preparedness

Following the information sessions, the El Saler Residents’ Association will work with the fire department to carry out public drills in the area.

This will mark the first time residents have directly participated in such exercises.

Juan Carlos Caballero said: “The goal is to put into practice the recommendations and information provided in these talks and ensure that they can see that following the recommendations and advice of the emergency services minimizes the risks in any emergency or dangerous situation.”

Caballero added: “Unfortunately, this past year has been very tough for the city with the Campanar fire and the disaster, and that’s why the safety of people and property is the first priority that must be guaranteed.”

Caballero continued: “To achieve this, information, public education, and coordination with emergency personnel are essential.”

Water cannons and collaboration part of city’s fire strategy

Caballero highlighted the installation of eight water cannons in the Dehesa, describing them as a preventative resource for local safety.

He said public cooperation remains essential in reducing fire risk, especially during high temperatures.

Caballero said: “The involvement of residents and public collaboration is key: in the face of high temperatures and the risk of forest fires, every precaution is insufficient to avoid further damage, and that is why these talks pursue that objective: to raise awareness of the risks and minimize them with small actions.”

Valencia fire service leads wildfire safety training for El Saler residents: Summary

Residents of El Saler and Dehesa in Valencia received fire safety training in advance of the summer season.

The workshops were led by technicians from the City Council’s Prevention and Civil Protection Unit.

Juan Carlos Caballero chaired the sessions and stressed the importance of public cooperation.

The sessions focused on the risks at the urban-wildland interface and the vulnerability of homes.

Attendees were given instructions for protecting themselves in homes, cars and outdoor areas.

Practical advice included clearing outdoor spaces and closing windows and gas valves during fires.

Drills will follow the workshops in partnership with the El Saler Residents’ Association.

Eight water cannons have been installed in Dehesa to support fire prevention efforts.

Caballero said the Campanar fire increased the focus on community safety.

The Ajuntament De Valencia said the initiative aims to reduce wildfire impact through education.

Raising awareness on WUI fires with new tools by the U.S. Fire Administration

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

U.S. fire administration develops new WUI awareness tools

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has launched two new tools designed to enhance awareness of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas across the United States.

As reported by the USFA, these tools aim to help local fire services and community stakeholders understand the locations of WUI areas and their potential susceptibility to wildfires.

The two tools are the WUI Fire Property Awareness Explorer and the WUI Fire Community Awareness Explorer.

The USFA developed these tools in response to the increasing number of structures destroyed and areas burned due to wildfires, as well as the expanding WUI areas caused by new building developments and climate change.

These tools will aid in the implementation of community risk reduction, code adoption, enforcement, mitigation, and planning efforts.

WUI fire property awareness explorer

The WUI Fire Property Awareness Explorer allows users to search addresses or communities to understand their proximity to WUI areas and vegetative fuels.

This tool provides data on a location’s structure density and proximity, which are crucial for creating fire-adapted communities and developing mitigation plans.

According to the USFA, this tool helps residents to “know where you live” in relation to fire-prone areas.

The goal is to raise awareness as the first step, encouraging residents to take action in preparing for and mitigating risks at the individual and property levels.

WUI fire community awareness explorer

The WUI Fire Community Awareness Explorer offers a quick snapshot of counties or places in the U.S.

and their potential exposure to wildfire hazards for structures in the WUI.

This dashboard enables users to identify vulnerable structures or areas in the WUI, informing community risk reduction planning and targeted outreach efforts.

The USFA emphasises that these tools are designed to increase awareness rather than measure or convey risk.

Encouragement for community use

The USFA encourages local fire services and community stakeholders to utilise these new WUI fire awareness tools.

By doing so, they can focus their mitigation and risk reduction efforts on building more resilient, fire-adapted communities.

The tools are intended to provide consistent data that can be applied to community risk reduction, code adoption, enforcement, and planning efforts.