Vegetation, ranging from heavy stands of grass to brush to hardwoods or conifers, thrives in the Mediterranean climate there. Other conditions contributing to the high fire hazard are the large population, mountainous topography, and an increasingly affluent, mobile society encroaching into wildlands. These same conditions are found in other regions that enjoy the Mediterranean climate-parts of Europe, Australia, Chile, and South Africa. The vegetation produced and the resulting fire protection problem are not greatly different from those found in California. Much has been written about what can be done to remedy the problem, but few recommendations have been implemented.
Many studies merely duplicate work done previously.
To bring all of the pertinent information together, I reviewed the extensive literature on fire protection, and made personal contacts to obtain or confirm sources or both. This report summarizes information on procedures for reducing losses of residences and other structures from wildfires. It outlines the problem of protecting homes from such fires, and proposes recommendations and standards. The Proposed Standards are proposals for the technically best solutions. Worded in advisory language, these standards must be reworded into mandatory language when enacted into laws, ordinances, or other requirements.