Description: This spatial dataset was produced with the Wildfire Exposure Simulation Tool (WildEST), a cloud-based geospatial fire behavior characteristic simulation system. WildEST performs multiple deterministic simulations under a range of weather types (wind speed, wind direction, fuel moisture content) and weights those results based on weather type probabilities (WTP).The Functional WUI dataset was generated from a comprehensive building footprint dataset, fire intensity modeling, and simulation of ember production and transport. The Direct Exposure zone is burnable land cover within 75 m of a structure. Reducing fire intensity and ember production in this zone would reduce the exposure of nearby buildings to heat and embers. Buildings in this zone also require hardening of the structure to resist ignition. Residents of this zone should:Build or renovate to a very high standard of ignition resistanceMaintain ornamental and natural vegetation in a way that minimizes flammability within the home ignition zone.Make a business or household plan for evacuating in the event of a wildfireThe Indirect Exposure zone is nonburnable land cover within 1500 m of burnable land cover that is within 75 m of a structure, meaning that embers and home-to-home spread could reach within this zone. Indirectly exposed structures would benefit from the hardening of the structure to resist ignition from embers and nearby structures, but defensible space is usually not required due to the heavily developed nature of the zone. Build or renovate to a high standard of ignition resistanceMaintain ornamental vegetation in a way that minimizes flammability within the home ignition zone.Make a business or household plan for evacuating in the event of a wildfireThe Little-to-no Exposure zone is nonburnable land that is within 75 m of a structure but greater than 1500 m from a large (500 ha) contiguous block of burnable land cover. Flames—even from home-to-home spread—and embers are unlikely to reach the Little-to-no-exposure zone, but smoke and evacuations could still impact this area. Extend your support to the exposed members of the community, especially those most sensitive (vulnerable).Although the need for a wildfire evacuation is unlikely in this zone, it doesn’t hurt to have a plan in place in case the need arises.In addition to the above zones that contain structures, we simulated ember production and transport to identify a Sources of Ember Load to Buildings zone (SELB). Fuel treatment in this zone is a priority for reducing ember load to the nearby buildings. Implement fuel treatments in this zone to reduce ember productionFinally, the Critical Fireshed is the unpopulated land within about 2.4 km of a group of structures. Fires that originate within or spread to the Critical Fireshed have an immediate threat of reaching the nearby structures; fuel treatments that slow fire spread in this zone can reduce risk to these structures.Implement fuel treatments in these areas to reduce rate of spread and increase firefighter safety (e.g., remove snags)Plan for initial attack and evacuationsPrioritize fire prevention activities
Copyright Text: Primary data contact: Texas A&M Forest Service, Forest Resource Protection Division, Applied Technology Department. Send an email to TxWRAP-Support@tfs.tamu.edu for inquires. Visit www.TexasWildfireRisk.com for additional information.
This dataset was developed for the Texas Wildfire Risk Assessment by Pyrologix LLC (www.pyrologix.com), a subsidiary of Vibrant Planet (www.vibrantplanet.net).