The dynamic mapping of wildland-urban interfaces: a territorial analysis tool for wildfire risk prevention

Abstract

Wildland-urban interfaces – corresponding to areas where urban areas meet and interact with rural lands – are increasing and a matter of concern for the management of the risk of wildfires. The study of the wildland-urban interface dynamic allows quantifying them in order to have a better control in the future. The aim of this analysis was to identify territories where prevention actions and targeted communication – to reduce wildfire spread by reducing biomass and [reduce] wildfire ignition through more cautious behaviour –have to be made a priority. In our study, the evolution of wildland-urban interfaces focuses on the French Bouches-du-Rhône department over a ten years period (from 1999 to 2009). At the department level, the analysis showed an increase of 10 % of wildland-urban interfaces in ten years. At the forest massif scale, the analysis highlighted forest massifs for which isolated and scattered wildland-urban interfaces increased. These wildland-urban interface types cause serious problems: it's difficult to manage them because of their dispersion on the territory, in terms of control, they are difficult to access. It is thus important for these wildland-urban interfaces to promote every prevention actions that will reduce the ignition of a house in case of a wildfire.