5 resilience and recovery learnings from the LA wildfires

In an unprecedented early fire season in Los Angeles—exacerbated by a lack of winter rain and unusually strong Santa Ana winds—firefighters are battling new fires even as they continue the grueling work to contain earlier ones. The impacts have been devastating for the greater LA community: 28 lives lost, at least 12,000 structures destroyed, and over 40,000 acres burned.

What was once a four-month fire season now often stretches to six or even eight months, with fires becoming more frequent in the winter across many states. In the face of this increasing frequency (and intensity) of wildfires, communities must adopt comprehensive strategies to enhance their preparedness and resilience to natural disasters.

This strategy requires a multifaceted approach including proactive planning, innovative technologies, and resilient infrastructure development. By focusing on these key considerations, communities can better equip themselves to withstand and recover more quickly from the impacts of wildfires.

Here are five takeaways for wildfire planning, response, and recovery.

1. Develop debris removal plans to speed recovery

Rebuilding after wildfires is especially challenging because the debris management process is much more extensive than other natural disasters. Unlike hurricanes, which often leave some infrastructure intact, fires often leave total destruction in their wake. Cleanup crews will likely need to scrape inches to feet of debris from the site and safely dispose of it.

Post-wildfire debris in urban environments like LA also includes hazardous material such as carcinogens and toxins from melted plastic. Removing this dangerous debris is critical before communities can be rebuilt, but the removal can take months or even years. By preparing in advance for more efficient debris removal, communities lay the groundwork for resilient rebuilding initiatives that prioritize safety, sustainability, and preparedness for future incidents. This could include:

• Conducting detailed risk assessments prior to wildfires can help identify potential hazards and areas most likely to be affected. This enables targeted debris removal planning, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively.
• Establishing partnerships ahead of time with experienced cleanup contractors, emergency responders, and environmental specialists in preparation for fires can expedite the removal of hazardous materials, reduce health risks, and facilitate safer rebuilding conditions. This team can help coordinate efforts, communicate effectively, and ensure that all aspects of debris management are addressed.

2. Engage in systems-based infrastructure planning

Long-term infrastructure planning is crucial for building resilience against wildfires, as it addresses the interdependence of infrastructure and the potential cascading failures that can occur during a disaster. For instance, the relationship between power and water systems is vital. Power is needed to pump and treat water, while water is essential for cooling power plants and firefighting efforts. During a wildfire, damage to power lines can disrupt water supply, exacerbating the crisis.

Assessing critical infrastructure for resilience must involve identifying vulnerabilities and interdependencies in critical infrastructure and ensuring that backup systems and redundancies are in place to maintain essential services during emergencies.

3. Consider preapproved building programs to accelerate recovery

As recovery progresses and rebuilding efforts begin, it’s important to balance the need to restore infrastructure and communities quickly with rebuilding in a resilient way that is protective against future wildfires. One strategy to accelerate rebuilding and rebuild in a more resilient way is through a preapproved building program strategy.

These programs often include building codes and standards designed to ensure that homes and structures are better equipped to withstand fire hazards. By using fire-resistant materials, incorporating firebreaks, and designing structures with defensible space in mind, communities can significantly reduce potential damage.

These preapproved building programs should also include guidelines for the maintenance and upkeep of properties, ensuring that vegetation management and other preventive measures are regularly carried out. This holistic approach not only helps to protect individual properties but also contributes to the overall safety and resilience of the entire community.

4. Develop programs and incentives for retrofitting existing structures

In an evolving wildfire landscape, it's crucial to not only focus on new construction but also to retrofit existing structures. A significant issue in many communities around LA is that buildings were constructed before wildfire codes were established. Thus, building codes for reconstruction alone won't address all the buildings impacted by wildfires. These measures also won't benefit communities that are not currently engaged in large-scale rebuilding efforts. By developing programs and incentives to retrofit existing structures, communities can enhance their resilience and better protect themselves against future wildfires.

5. Arm first responders with innovative technology

When combatting wildfires, enabling fire fighters on the front lines to make decisions faster is pivotal. First responders often use multiple applications amid a disaster and can be overwhelmed by the huge amounts of data available across their many platforms. AI and machine learning reduces their cognitive load by reducing the noise-to-signal ratio to generate alerts and highlight other important information so firefighters can respond quickly and efficiently, saving valuable time.

• Using remote-sensing technology such as drones and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can enhance the efficiency of everything from smoke detection to debris removal. Drones can provide aerial assessments of affected areas, while GIS can map debris locations and track progress in real-time.
• Use cloud-based technology for reliable real-time access and collaboration from the field during a disaster. Cloud-based platforms enable firefighters and other disaster response officials to quickly scale data collection activities with advanced security features, reducing delays and improving decision-making in critical moments.

Disaster response and recovery challenges posed by the LA wildfires requires a proactive and integrated approach. This approach helps communities build safer, more sustainable environments capable of withstanding the increasing threats posed by wildfires and other natural disasters—ultimately safeguarding lives, property, and natural resources for future generations.