Wildland urban interface: Addressing the challenges of implementing FireSmart in the city of Calgary

As the City of Calgary expands into rural areas, communities will encounter Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), which is defined as any area where structures are located near or among combustible wildland fuels. With the exception of Calgary, much of Alberta and British Columbia have implemented FireSmart principles that reduce the risk of WUI fires. This study provides recommendations as to how the City of Calgary can address the challenges of implementing FireSmart principles. This study combines a multi-case review of successful FireSmart communities, and elite interviews to gather data. Best practices indicate that organizational capacity, development application procedures and WUI administrative responsibility are integral to develop a framework for implementation. Accordingly, this study recommends that institutional and procedural reforms are needed if the City of Calgary is to implement FireSmart principles.