February 2022 Chapter Meeting
The Marshall Fire
FEMA’s Assessment and Report
On December 30, 2021, one of the most destructive wildfires in the history of Colorado destroyed over 1,100 homes and other structures within two densely populated suburbs north of Denver, CO. While the unique circumstances of the event, including 100 mile-an-hour winds, made this a rare occurrence, the extent of the devastation has brought about extensive efforts at assessing the cause of the fire, the reasons for its massive spread, and what structural elements within the destroyed homes – or those that survived – as well as fencing and landscaping decisions, could lead to different outcomes in the future.
Charged with that assessment from within FEMA was the Preliminary Mitigation Assessment Team (Pre-MAT). Speaking to our chapter from that team was Sean McGowan, Regional Earthquake Program Manager, Building Science Lead within the Mitigation Division of FEMA Region 8.
Sean began by explaining the activities of the Pre-MAT. To accomplish their forensic engineering study, two teams were deployed to survey the damage to over 100 structures. Also employed were field teams to interview local Fire Marshalls and Building Officials. They were charged with the following:
The Pre-Mat team took thousands of pictures to organize and analyze. Their findings focused on identifying issues unique to Colorado and the Marshall Fire so they could then advise building officials, local builders, and the public on best practices. Briefings were to be sent to field staff, FEMA State and Regional staff as well as National partners, Homeowners’ Associations, and Legislators.
Primary among the findings from the Pre-Mat team’s work are recommendations of the Best Practice materials for:
While not a geographically large disaster, the Marshall Fire resulted in a heavily concentrated impact that provided unique lessons. The full MAT report will eventually be shared with external partners such as IBHS (Institute for Building and Home Safety), CU-Boulder, the Colorado State Forest Service, and other organizations and entities across the region and nationally who are dedicated to risk mitigation, preparation, and response planning for future wildfire events.
Charged with that assessment from within FEMA was the Preliminary Mitigation Assessment Team (Pre-MAT). Speaking to our chapter from that team was Sean McGowan, Regional Earthquake Program Manager, Building Science Lead within the Mitigation Division of FEMA Region 8.
Sean began by explaining the activities of the Pre-MAT. To accomplish their forensic engineering study, two teams were deployed to survey the damage to over 100 structures. Also employed were field teams to interview local Fire Marshalls and Building Officials. They were charged with the following:
- Evaluate what worked and what failed in the built environment to inform recovery, rebuilding, and hazard mitigation
- Reinforce what worked well and develop improved design and construction techniques for what did not
- Collect perishable data to determine if future study is warranted
The Pre-Mat team took thousands of pictures to organize and analyze. Their findings focused on identifying issues unique to Colorado and the Marshall Fire so they could then advise building officials, local builders, and the public on best practices. Briefings were to be sent to field staff, FEMA State and Regional staff as well as National partners, Homeowners’ Associations, and Legislators.
Primary among the findings from the Pre-Mat team’s work are recommendations of the Best Practice materials for:
- Reducing structure-to-structure fire spread in dense subdivisions
- Developing and maintaining communal defensible spaces
- Best practice measures for new developments, including retrofits for existing buildings
- Landscape or neighborhood-level vegetation management
While not a geographically large disaster, the Marshall Fire resulted in a heavily concentrated impact that provided unique lessons. The full MAT report will eventually be shared with external partners such as IBHS (Institute for Building and Home Safety), CU-Boulder, the Colorado State Forest Service, and other organizations and entities across the region and nationally who are dedicated to risk mitigation, preparation, and response planning for future wildfire events.