SECTION 4: RISK ASSESSMENT
Warning Time: 4 – Less than 6 hours Duration: 3 – Less than 1 week
Location The location of wildfire risk can be defined by the acreage of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The WUI is described as the area where structures and other human improvements meet and intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels, and thus demarcates the spatial extent of wildfire risk. The WUI is essentially all the land in the county that is not heavily urbanized. The SouthernWildfire Risk Assessment (SWRA) estimates that 96 percent of the Wake County population lives within the WUI. The expansion of residential development from urban centers out into rural landscapes increases the potential for wildland fire threat to public safety and the potential for damage to forest resources and dependent industries. Population growth within the WUI substantially increases the risk of wildfire. Table 4.81 details the extent of the WUI in Wake County, and Figure 4.23 maps the WUI. Table 4.81 – Wildland Urban Interface, Population and Acres
WUI Population
Percent of WUI Population
Percent of WUI Acres
Housing Density
WUI Acres
LT 1hs/40ac
943
0.1 %
42,258
9.7 %
1hs/40ac to 1hs/20ac 1,975
0.2 %
33,961
7.8 %
1hs/20ac to 1hs/10ac 5,417
0.6 %
44,188
10.1 %
1hs/10ac to 1hs/5ac
13,722
1.6 %
52,621
12.1 %
1hs/5ac to 1hs/2ac
49,907
5.8 %
76,831
17.6 %
1hs/2ac to 3hs/1ac
511,813
59.1 %
161,007
36.9 %
GT 3hs/1ac
281,706
32.5 %
24,986
5.7 %
Total
865,483
100.0 %
435,852
100.0 %
Source: Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment
Wake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2019
175
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online