Interface fires in built-up areas. A real-case study on the risk assessment of fires interacting with urban domains.

Fire scenarios may pose serious risks and induce severe damages to anthropic structures, activities and business. These can be represented by typical fires in industrial facilities or also atypical scenarios involving differentiated targets as in the case of interface fires. The occasion of the collaboration between our two departments arouse from the EU Interreg Progect CROSSIT SAFER, intended to enhance collaboration between actors and institutions of the Civil Protection for the management of natural disasters in the Italia-Slovenija cross border area. Risk assessment of atypical scenarios requires improved approaches since a multi-risk framework can arise including the interactions between the fire and surrounding domains. An effective hazard investigation and management should therefore include estimations of consequences based on the results of models’ simulation. The present study deals with a preliminary risk assessment methodology applied to fires interacting with an existing urban area. The fire spread is approached through a dedicated tool and a GIS-based system is used to spatially map expected consequences. Starting from these data, a preliminary risk estimation is proposed with the aim of mapping hazardous areas. In this sense, a combined approach based on fire simulation tools and exposure functions is employed. Major risk areas are identified and expected results can be used to support land planning and emergency-related operations.