All it takes is one spark Part 1: What is wildland-urban interface and why should you care?

When development creeps into areas of vegetation, the point at which they meet or intermix is known as wildland-urban interface (WUI). It’s a term residents will want to familiarize themselves with, as communities that are in the WUI zone are prone to wildfires.

“Communities usually within a half to two miles are included as being in "the WUI," Texas Forest Service Firewise Coordinator Kari Hines explained. “This includes "classic WUI" where subdivisions bump up to undeveloped land, "intermix WUI" which is more rural, think multiple acres per structure, and occluded WUI, such as large natural parks, greenbelts, etc. where "natural" vegetation occurs within the boundaries of a developed area.”

That said, given the development in our area, Dripping Springs like much of the country, is not excluded from a wildfire threat. “A wildfire behaves based on 3 broad categories, called the fire environment: topography, weather and fuels (or what can burn),” Hines said. “While the specifics in these categories change across the country, almost every state has some sort of threat. The level of public response often depends on local and state political decisions, level of public awareness and more.”

Fortunately, there are experts on WUI who can work with residents and officials to address wildfire concerns. “The Wildland Urban Interface Specialists employed by Texas A&M Forest Service complete many jobs depending on where in Texas they serve. In the most basic terms, their job is to help conduct outreach and education regarding wildfire preparedness (both the prevention of wildfires, and the mitigation of wildfires) to the public and local governments across the state,” Hines said. “Positions such as the TFS WUI Specialist exist across the state and country in all levels of public government, with varying titles such as "mitigation specialist,” “fire adapted community coordinator” and more.

Hines said that while our local fires do not often make the news like fires on the west coast, that doesn’t mean they do not exist. Hines encourages Dripping Springs residents to recognize the importance of land management.

“Our ecosystems evolved with wildfire and much of what we currently see as "natural" is actually extremely overgrown and not in a healthy state,” Hines said. “Unhealthy vegetation does not just risk damage from wildfires, but is more easily damaged by pests, diseases, drought, and human caused issues. It is up to each individual landowner to learn about how to properly care for, and be a steward to their land, including taking personal responsibility for preparing for emergencies, such as wildfire. First hand firefighters accounts and research both tell us that residents can make a major difference in protecting their families, communities and first responders- when they take action before disaster strikes.”