Explore the impactful research initiatives at the WUI FIRE Institute, highlighting generous donors, funding contributions, and the critical work their support makes possible.
2021-2025
$1,000,000
Partnership involving academia, private industry, and government for the purpose of mitigating the consequences of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires on life, property, infrastructure, economy, and the social fabric of California.
Director - Frank Frievalt
Research into the original methodology and intent of current utility requirements for pole clearances and fuels management in California State Codes and Regulations.
PI – Lonny Simonian
2022-2027
$1,100,004
Project funding from CAL Fire and The Wildfire Conservancy.
Director - Frank Frievalt
PPE
This project will evaluate the protection efficacy of standard and particulate barrier personal protective clothing by comparison of metabolomic profiles secondary to wildfire smoke exposure.
PI - Rob Fanter
Respirator
This research seeks to design an operationally acceptable improvement to respiratory protection in the wildfire setting without creating increased concurrent hazards of heat stress and respiratory distress.
PI - Dr. Matt Zoeb
Co-PI - Dr. Lily Laiho
ESCAPE (Re-scoped to non-combustible fencing project)
This project proposes to evaluate retroactive mitigation strategies for existing combustible fencing.
PI - Richard Emberley
Digital Media
Provides support for digital outreach materials.
PI - Moses Mike
Cancer Cohort
This project seeks to evaluate the impact on cancer risk for firefighters in the presence of certain lifestyle interventions.
PI - Anna Kahn
Hose Clamp
The project seeks to design an improved hose-clamp design to improve effectiveness of progressive hose lays during wildfire suppression operations and reduce risks to firefighters from mechanical damage and failure.
PI - Chris Pascual
Sleep Study
This study is intended to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce the physiologic and mental risks from sleep disruption in the delivery of fire and emergency services.
PI - Angelos Sikalidis
Waste Truck Fires
PI - Chris Pascual
2022-2027
$2,350,000
Workforce Development
Develop a minor degree program in Fire Science for the WUI.
PI - Chris Dicus
Wildland-Urban Interface Treatment of Acres
Development of a “living laboratory” in fuel treatment areas on Cal Poly property.
PI - Marc Horney
Technology for Safety & Efficiency
Roadside Ignition Prevention Study.
PI - Marc Horney
Fuels Analysis in support of WUI Safety
UAV capture of fuel characteristics near WUI communities through LiDAR and hyperspectral imaging.
PI - Marc Horney
2022-2026
$637,271
Parcel/Community-level Mitigations
The purpose of this grant is to establish key stakeholder alignment in seven Western States (CA, OR, WA, NV, CO, ID, AZ) on parcel and community level mitigations in the wildland urban interface (WUI). Those key stakeholders are the state fire marshal (or Warden), the state insurance regulatory office, the state/regional insurance industry, and the state fire chief’s association.
PI - Matthew Porteus (WFCA)
Policy Advisement & Support - Frank Frievalt
2023-2026
$967,311
PIRS for Wildfire
This project adapts a spatially-based, hazard-informed method for plan integration to improve wildfire mitigation for four California pilot communities.
PI - William Siembieda
Fuel Pre-treatment
This research is about the long-term pre-treatment of fuel with retardants and the impacts to soil, water, vegetation, environmental quality, and retardant efficacy over time.
PI - Stewart Wilson
