Wildfire Risk Consulting & Solutions
From Environmental Impact Assessments and understanding Individual Property Risk, through to Spatial Planning Developments in wildfire prone landscapes, Vulcan conducts in-depth risk assessments, to identify vulnerabilities and provide tailored solutions to enhance your wildfire resilience.
With an extensive portfolio of clients ranging from private sector to government, we have developed a Wildfire Risk Methodology and Model to carefully evaluate your risk and identify clear, actionable solutions.
Need a Fire Investigator?
Rouvanne | +27 82 782 7508
rouvanne@vulcanrisksolutions.com
For Risk Assessments
wildfire@vulcanrisksolutions.com
Pricing
- Our wildfire risk consulting fees are tailored to each client’s needs, scope, and scale.
- Pricing is available on application (POA).
- Want to learn more? Email us at wildfire@vulcanrisksolutions.com or complete the enquiry form and we’ll get in touch with you.
POA
Wildfire Risk Consulting FAQs
What is the WUI?
WUI stands for Wildland Urban Interface. This is the area where any densely vegetated area meets with housing or urban development. For us, the area of concern in the WUI is approximately a kilometre out into the vegetation or back into the housing from the boundary line of the urban area. This can also extend quite a long way into the urban interface through the green belts, which will carry fire along them like a corridor.
My house is at least a kilometre away from the mountains, forests and reserves, is there still risk to it from a wildfire?
Yes, depending on the wind strength and what vegetation is burning during a wildfire. Burning embers have been documented travelling up to 3 kilometres before landing and starting a new fire. Old Fynbos, gum trees, pine trees and palm trees are major hazards for releasing a storm of burning embers during a wildfire.
I live near a green belt, but my house is built with bricks and mortar and there is a firebreak in place. Is there still wildfire risk?
Yes. Even with a firebreak and non-flammable walls, your home can still be at risk. The most vulnerable areas are roofs, gutters, and small gaps around doors and windows – all of which can let in burning embers carried by strong winds during a wildfire. In fact, most homes lost in wildfires near the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) are ignited this way, not by direct flames.
Do you have to have a wildfire management plan as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a development in South Africa?
Yes, it can be required depending on where the development is taking place. This is especially relevant where the construction process and/or the use of the finished development has the potential to increase the risk of wildfire ignition in the area. Statistically, wherever there is an increase in the number of people in an area, there will be an equivalent increase in wildfire ignition risk.
Key Wildfire Consulting Projects & Milestones
- Launched a Specialist Development Programme for Wildland Firefighting Crews in the Western Cape.
- Conducted an on-site analysis of the impact of the Knysna Fires on the Wildland Urban Interface. Published the Situational Analysis of the 2017 Knysna Fires: A Lessons Learned Report.
- Facilitated a Wildfire Strategic Workshop in the Garden Route, Western Cape.
- Developed a Home & Property Risk Assessment Methodology and Model, to guide and action wildfire risk reduction.
- Created a Pre-Attack Plan for Witzenberg Valley, Cape Winelands.
- Supported wildfire risk planning for the Franschhoek Cableway Project.
- Developed a tailored Pre-Attack Plan for Robben Island, Cape Town.
- Developed a Pre-Attack Plan for Wupperthal & Algeria Valley, Cedarberg.
- Designed a Pre-Attack Plan for Aerial Wildfire Suppression Response, Western Cape.
- Launched the WildfireSafe project in partnership with RISE – Norway, and Stellenbosch University – South Africa.
Talk to Us About Wildfire Risk Solutions
Have a question about wildfire risk consulting or our specialist services? Leave us a message and our team will get back to you shortly.
Vulcan Risk Solutions. High Quality Wildfire Services.
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