Wildland-Urban Interface

The area where human-made structures and infrastructure, such as homes, businesses, and roads, are in close proximity to or intermingle with undeveloped wildland vegetation. The WUI represents a zone of increased risk for wildfires, as the presence of structures can provide additional fuel sources for fires and the close proximity to wildland vegetation makes those structures more susceptible to ignition. Firefighting and prevention efforts in the WUI often involve a combination of strategies, including defensible space, fire-resistant construction, hazardous fuels reduction, and community-wide preparedness plans. In legal disputes related to wildfires, such as the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak Fire, issues may arise concerning the management and mitigation of risks in the WUI, the responsibility of property owners, land managers, and local governments in protecting structures and communities, and the potential impact of WUI development on the severity and consequences of wildfire events.