Designing Buildings for Wildfires: Different materials and designs fire tested in Anaheim, California
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A fire demonstration in Anaheim, California has provided critical insights for firefighters and homeowners alike on how to mitigate wildfire risks through smarter building and landscaping choices.
The event, hosted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the California Building Industry Association, set two tiny homes ablaze—one built with standard materials and the other designed with fire-resistant features.
An article in the LA Times underlines the contrast between the two structures.
Key Takeaways for Firefighters:
- Zone 0 Is Critical – The first five feet around a home determine whether embers can ignite the structure. Removing flammable vegetation, wooden fences, and plastic gutters significantly reduces the risk.
- Fire-Resistant Building Materials Work – The protected house featured cement siding, enclosed eaves, metal gutters, and fencing, which prevented flames from reaching the structure.
- Embers Spread Wildfires – Simulated wind-driven embers quickly ignited the unprotected house, proving that embers—not just direct flames—are a primary cause of structural fires.
- Neighbouring Homes Influence Fire Spread – Older homes that lack fire-resistant features can accelerate wildfire spread, while well-prepared homes serve as firebreaks protecting adjacent structures.
- Community Planning Matters – Some newer communities, such as Orchard Hills, have successfully implemented fire-safe designs, proving that proper planning saves homes.
Experts emphasize that while wildfires are inevitable, their destruction can be minimized through better building codes, defensible space, and awareness. Firefighters now have a clearer roadmap for community resilience, helping prevent tragic losses in future wildfires.