HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brzuszek, R. F. Articles by Walker, J. B. Search for Related Content

Trends in Community Fire Ordinances and Their Effects on Landscape Architecture Practice

	Abstract

TOP Abstract REFERENCES

 
Since 2000, the United States has experienced record wildfire seasons causing significant property damage. In response, communities are increasingly adopting or strengthening wildland fire ordinances to minimize wildfire damage. This paper examines nationwide municipal and county wildland fire codes containing provisions for landscape features, and summarizes their requirements for new or existing development. The research revealed twelve ordinance provisions that fall into four categories that affect the scope of work for landscape architects: vegetative fuel clearance, building requirements, roadway and driveway standards, and planning and assessment. The majority of community wildland codes primarily address 1) vegetative fuel clearance around structures, 2) vegetative maintenance, and 3) vehicular access requirements. Discussion of the research findings focuses on the role of the landscape architecture profession in high fire risk areas and concludes that landscape architects are integral in protecting the safety of communities that develop in the wildland-urban interface.

KEYWORDS Wildland-urban interface, ordinances, wildfire

	REFERENCES

TOP Abstract REFERENCES

 

Abt, R., D. Kelly, and M. Kuypers 1987. The Florida Palm Coast fire: An analysis of fire incidence and residence characteristics. Fire Technology 23(30): 230–252.

Beatty, R. A. 2004. On the wildfire frontier. Landscape Architecture Magazine 94(5): 54–67.

Beisiegel, Cynthia. 2005. Fire season 2005: Protect your clients from wildfire dangers. Insurance Journal, June 6, 2005. http://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/west/2005/06/06/features/56573.htm.

Brennan, L., R. Engstrom, W. Palmer, S. Hermann, G. Hurst, L. Burger, and C. Hardy. 1998. Whither wildlife without fire? In Transactions of the 63rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference, 402–414. Washington, DC: Wildlife Management Institute.

Brose, P., T. Schuler, D. Van Lear, and J. Berst 2001. Bringing fire back: The changing regimes of the Appalachian mixed-oak forests. Journal of Forestry 99(11): 30–35.

California Public Resource Code (CA PRC 4290). 1991. State of California Public Laws, Public Resource Codes, Section 4251–4290.

California Public Resource Code (CA PRC 4291). 2005. State of California Public Laws, Public Resource Codes, Section 4291–4299.

Coleman, R. J. 1994. Urban-wildland fire problem: The policy context. A Special Report by the State Fire Marshal. State and Consumer Services Agency, State of California, http://nature.berkeley.edu/~fbeall/013.pdf.

Cordell, H. K., and E. A. Macie. 2002. Population and demographic trends. In Human Influences on Forest Ecosystems, ed. E. Macie, and L. Hermansen 11–14. GTR SRS-55. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.

Daniel, T. C., E. Weidemann, and D. Himes. 2002. Assessing public tradeoffs between fire hazard and scenic beauty in the wildland-urban interface. In Homeowners, Communities and Wildfire: Science Findings from the National Fire Plan, ed. P. Jakes, 36–42. Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Society and Resource Management. North Central Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service.

Duryea, M. L., and L. A. Hermansen. 2002. Challenges to forest resources management and conservation. In Human Influences on Forest Ecosystems, ed. E. Macie, and L. Hermansen 93–114. GTR SRS-55. Asheville, NC: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.

Eagle County, Colorado. 2004. Eagle County Building Resolutions. 3.12.4.1 http://www.eaglecounty.us/uploadedFiles/commDev/Planning/Chapter_III-Building_Resolutions.pdf.

Gardener, P. D., H. J. Cortner, and K. Widaman 1987. The risk perceptions and policy response toward wildland fire hazards by urban home-owners. Landscape and Urban Planning 14:163–172.

Grese, R. E. 1995. Inviting the neighbors: The story of a front-yard prairie (Michigan). Restoration and Management 13(1):108–109.

Haines, T., C. Renner, and J. Granskog 2005. The national database of wildfire mitigation programs: State, county and local efforts to reduce wildfire risk. Proceedings of the 2004 Society of American Foresters National Convention: One Forest Under Two Flags 31(4): 357.

Hull, R. B., and S. I. Stewart. 2002. Social consequences of change. In Human Influences on Forest Ecosystems, ed. E. Macie, and L. Hermansen 115–132. GTR SRS-55. Asheville, NC: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.

International Code Council (ICC). 2003. 2003 International Urban-Wildland Interface Code. ICC IUWIC-2003. Washington, DC: ICC.

Kane, R. C. 2003. Prairie flower. Landscape Architecture Magazine 93(10): 122–131.

Kline, J. D., D. L. Azuma, and R. J. Alig 2004. Population growth, urban expansion, and private forestry in western Oregon. Forest Science 50(1): 33–43.

Lassen County. 1962. Lassen County Setback Ordinance (Ord. 355, Sec. 2, 1962), Lassen County, CA.

Monroe, M. C. 2002. Fire. In Human Influences on Forest Ecosystems, ed. E. Macie, and L. Hermansen 133–150. GTR SRS-55. Asheville, NC: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.

Municipal Code Corporation. 2006. Municode. http://www.municode.com (accessed July 12 2006).

National Fire Protection Association. 2005. NFPA 1144 Standard for Protection of Life and Property from Wildfire. Quincy, MA: NFPA.

Pearce, L. 2003. Disaster management and community planning, and public participation: How to achieve sustainable hazard mitigation. Natural Hazards 28(2–3): 211–228.

Pima County. 2006. Graphic Companion for the 2006 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code for Pima County. Pima County, AZ.

Pyne, S. J. 2001. Fire: A brief history. Seattle: University of Washington Press.

Renner, C., M. Reams, and T. Haines. 2005. Mitigating wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface: The role of regulations. In Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere. Proceedings (RMRS-P-42CD) ed. C. Aguirre-Bravo, Patrick J. Pellicane, Denver P. Burns, and Sindey Draggan 715–722. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.

Santa Barbara City Fire Department. 2001. High Fire Hazard Area Landscape Guidelines. Fire Prevention Bureau, City of Santa Barbara, CA.

Schindler, B., and M. Reed. 1996. Forest Management in the Blue Mountains: Public Perspectives on Prescribed Fire and Mechanical Thinning. Department of Forest Resources, Oregon State University: Corvallis, OR.

Schindler, B., B. Steel, and P. List 1996. Public judgments of adaptive management: A response from forest communities. Journal of Forestry 94(6): 4–12.

Schwab, J., and S. Meck. 2005. Planning for Wildfires. American Planning Association, Planning Advisory Service. Report Number 529/530.

Sorvig, K. 2001. Will wildfire ravage our profession? Landscape Architecture Magazine 91 (12): 32–39, 80–81.

Sorvig, K. 2004. Crying "fire" in a crowded landscape. Landscape Architecture Magazine 94(3): 26–37.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2001. Review and update of the 1995 Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy. January 2001, http://www.nifc.gov/fire_policy/history/index.htm.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2006. National database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs. http://www.wildfireprograms.usda.gov. (accessed 12 July, 2006).

United States Fire Administration (USFA). 1992. The East Bay Hills Fire, Oakland-Berkeley, California. Technical Report Series, Report 060.

Valiantis, M. 2003. Influences on state-level policies for wildfire risk reduction. Masters thesis, Louisiana State Univ.

Winter, G., and J. Fried 2000. Homeowner perspectives on fire hazard, responsibility, and management strategies at the wildland urban interface. Society and Natural Resources 13(1): 33–49.

Winter, G., C. Vogt, and J. Fried 2002. Fuel treatments at the wildland-urban interface: Common concerns in diverse regions. Journal of Forestry 100(1): 15–21.

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brzuszek, R. F. Articles by Walker, J. B. Search for Related Content