In contrast, the structure built to the Wildfire Prepared Home standard featured a five-foot noncombustible buffer and remained untouched. It also included plants just outside the five feet that added curb appeal without adding risk. 🌿

In a side-by-side wildfire demonstration one structure built to typical construction standards — with mulch, shrubs, and other flammable materials placed right against it — quickly ignited, as those materials acted like fuel and drew flames directly to the building. 🔥

Find resources here! ⤵️

Hear from Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler, and Lars Powell from The Center for Risk and Insurance Research, in the latest episode of @ibhs.org's Disaster Discussions Podcast as they dive into a new report on how FORTIFIED construction performed.

🎧 Tune in at ibhs.org/disaster-dis....

Learn more about IBHS wildfire research at ibhs.org/risk-researc....

The flames then spread to the far side of the ADU, leading to the hot tub, the car and ultimately flames reached the target structure.

After ignition of the initial fuel source (wood cribs), the fire spread to the ADU. Winds up to 35 mph, generated by the IBHS Main Test Chamber fans, accelerated the spread. Intense heat shattered the single-pane, non-tempered glass windows, allowing flames to enter and move through the structure.

During post-disaster investigations, IBHS #researchers also saw how manmade items, such as cars, trash cans and wood fences, can also create pathways for fire spread. This week’s experiment explored that risk.

In extreme wildfire conditions, wind-driven flames spread rapidly from building to building. Most structures are not designed to withstand intense exposure to flames, so once one catches fire, it adds more fuel to the flames, making it even more intense.

Learn more about this research at ibhs.org/wildfire/win....

The ADU was fully furnished to replicate the fuel load of a tiny home to see its impact on the target structure.

This research investigates proper spacing between buildings to ensure their resilience in the face of extreme fires. Today's structures were 40 feet apart.

During extreme wildfire conditions, fire spreads through wind-driven flames jumping from building to building, especially in high density neighborhoods.