Firefighter training course shows what many missed about urban wildfire conflagrations
Iain Hoey
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New course launched for firefighter training in wildland urban interface
UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and its Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) have announced a new firefighter training course.
The course is called “Structure Triage Considerations for Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting.”
It was launched on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
ULRI said the course is designed to address threats faced when wildfires spread into built-up communities.
The wildland urban interface (WUI) is the zone where neighbourhoods, businesses and infrastructure meet undeveloped land.
When fires spread into these areas, the risk of urban conflagration increases.
Burning structures often replace vegetation as the main fuel source, making suppression efforts more difficult.
The organisation said the course combines scientific research with lessons from real-world fire events.
Scope and collaborators behind the training
The course was developed with input from several agencies and organisations.
These include the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety and the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Contributions also came from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
ULRI confirmed that findings from its Maui wildfires analysis were also incorporated.
The organisation said the content will help firefighters understand how structures ignite and how fire spreads in built environments.
It added that the training is intended to help firefighters make more informed strategic decisions.
Expert commentary on the initiative
Derek Alkonis, research programme manager for FSRI, said: “In recent years we’ve all seen firsthand the devastation from WUI fires in communities in Colorado, California, Hawai’i and around the world.
“We need to prepare all firefighters – wildland, structural, and those who haven’t historically faced threats from wildfires – for the potential for urban conflagration.
“Understanding how these fires develop and spread, and knowing how to perform tactically in these highly dynamic conditions translates directly to lives and property saved.”
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez said: “The devastation we witnessed in Lahaina underscored the urgent need for better tools, training, and collaboration in the face of wildland urban interface fires.
“This new course from UL Research Institutes offers critical guidance that can help save lives, protect communities, and ensure that our firefighters and communities are better prepared when these complex and fast-moving disasters strike.”
Course content and learning outcomes
ULRI said the training goes beyond existing wildland and structural firefighting instruction.
It explained that most current wildland training focuses on unpopulated areas.
By contrast, structural firefighting courses cover only limited material on brush fires.
The new programme examines the complexities of structure-to-structure fire spread.
Learning outcomes include the ability to identify fuels, describe fire spread methods and explain risk factors such as structure spacing, construction type and fuel loading.
The organisation said firefighters will also learn to evaluate defensibility at both structure and community levels.
Knowledge gained from the Maui wildfires analysis will also be applied to tactical considerations.
Ongoing research supporting firefighter preparedness
FSRI is conducting multiple research projects on wildfire and WUI fire behaviour.
The work includes studies on heat transfer, firebrand ignition and post-fire water contamination.
The organisation said the findings will continue to inform training initiatives.
Updates are available at fsri.org.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The training course has practical relevance for fire and rescue chiefs, training officers and emergency response managers.
It provides structured guidance on decision making during wildland urban interface fire incidents.
The course is also relevant for government departments and standards bodies involved in preparedness and community planning.
For structural and wildland firefighters, the content explains how buildings ignite and spread fire within communities.
This knowledge can inform defensive strategies even when resources are limited.
Facility managers and risk assessors in high-risk regions may also find the insights useful.
The inclusion of lessons from the Maui wildfires provides tested examples of how tactical choices affected outcomes.
By covering structural features, spacing and community planning, the course highlights factors that influence risk and survivability.
Firefighter training course launched to address wildland urban interface threats: Summary
UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and its Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) announced a new firefighter training course on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
The course is titled “Structure Triage Considerations for Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting” and is intended for both wildland and structural firefighters.
According to ULRI, the course was developed with contributions from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
The training also incorporates findings from ULRI’s analysis of the Maui wildfires, which highlighted how tactical decision making and community features affected outcomes.
The organisation said the course explains structure ignition, fire spread in built environments, and factors affecting defensibility during WUI fire incidents.
Key expected learning outcomes include the ability to assess fuels, evaluate risk and prioritise resources.
FSRI confirmed that ongoing research into heat transfer, structure-to-structure fire spread, firebrand ignition and water contamination will continue to support firefighter training.
This article contains information from the following source: UL Research Institutes and Fire Safety Research Institute