Paradoxically, urban forestry best management
practices recommend locating lush, green, dense
vegetation near homes to maximize urban forest ben-
efits even in fire-prone areas. Such practices increase
"urban tree cover" next to homes to maximize
shading and cooling to reduce energy use and can
increase property values. However, these same rec-
ommendations might lead to conditions of increased
fuel loading and subsequently greater fire risk. These
tradeoffs are at the heart of addressing this new
and changing nature of fire in our urban forests.
Research at USFS-PSW has shown that communi-
ties are impacted in different ways by urban fires.
Preliminary findings show that urban tree cover
lost to fire in Ventura and Santa Rosa, California
rapidly recovered in the years following the fire.
However, urban tree cover substantially lost
following the "Camp Fire" in Paradise, California
is now showing signs of continuing decline over
time. Additionally, studies have shown how
these fires have led to ground water contamina-
tion and long-term or permanent displacement
of residents from these communities.
Trees, shrubs, ground cover,
and fire in and around homes
Research has shown the influential role that extreme
weather conditions and building characteristics
can have on increasing building loss during urban
fire events. As a result, common practices rec-
ommended for reducing building loss during fires
include using ignition reducing or resistant building
materials and construction techniques. Similarly,
24 CityTREES
Fire-damaged trees in Lewiston, Colorado. Photos Courtesy USFS
