[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6232535,"mediaKeyId","3426058-121bc933a8f24456afa648f270b850b6","parentId",3426058,"title","Fire scientist Jack Cohen: make homes less ignitable; embers—not just nearby flames—drive structure loss","audioSeconds",1417,"startMs",2031000,"endMs",3448000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426058-121bc933a8f24456afa648f270b850b6&start=2031&end=3448","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426058-121bc933a8f24456afa648f270b850b6/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232535/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Fire-scientist-Jack-Cohen-make-homes-less-ignitable-embersnot-just-nearby-flamesdrive-structure-loss","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232535-10445caad5d57ceef4fb35799b58e1a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445435&Signature=cBDRaAuNNsCO-jegm7~SZ9wKYYrwYuyy2zFjEPpsZLpf2XaMEzEkgMzRmkjwu-WemL8wGeQA3zqKYgxNU9qIFuAV6BC~TteuDjx7sMWbsjRoI3nb~Ka16mrku7prUbdCEWBfai6IAO0xci1HVmBqXzk2HBBDIdx0T-oE2qxMHUzqpcM4MSW6f8Py-J7UMCtTBbWZzX-Wo6MHWENMOSbd~BN32pVJkgYUaRZgEGnGsqGzIH22yUCtu~ytDemnEnERCHlRg~SD5Jf3DXK6xYAZ89AQWHpNHYeCMcdKNldqW6fK8jmRUe5Vkr1yj6jRVjIkAavomwFibNdfQho5udfNUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Missoula, MT","date","2025-05-21T16:37:37Z","article","Jack Cohen, a fire scientist associated with a fire laboratory, told a public presentation that reducing a home’s ignitability is the most effective way to prevent structure loss during severe wildland-urban interface fires.

Why it matters: Cohen argued that suppression can be effectively zero when many structures are exposed simultaneously under high-wind conditions. Therefore, homeowner actions and structural measures that reduce ignition potential are critical to increasing the chance a structure survives when suppression resources are strained.

Key points Cohen made: He said embers (firebrands) can ignite structures well ahead of a flame front and that “if it had a flammable roof, it was history,” based on his analysis of past fires. He pointed to a nearly completed house that survived Patty Canyon because it had a nonflammable roof and lacked combustible landscaping and a wood pile. Cohen said, “What you can do is you can reduce the ignitability of your structure so that ignitions are manageable.”

Cohen reviewed historical incidents to illustrate his claims: he cited large-loss events such as Laguna Beach (where he quoted published tallies of acres and homes lost), the Oakland loss of roughly 2,200 structures in a single event, and the 1871 Peshtigo fire to show the variety and scale of major conflagrations. He contrasted vegetation types—Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, lodgepole and spruce-fir—and explained how natural fire regimes differ by ecosystem and affect fire behavior and mitigation options.

Practical measures discussed: Cohen emphasized defensible space, roof and siding materials, thinning and pruning understory trees, and prescribed burning under controlled conditions to restore a landscape’s historical fire mosaic. He described how some homeowners have created defensible property by pruning crowns 10 to 15 feet above the ground, removing ladder fuels and providing gravel drives and perimeter clearings to give firefighters a chance to work safely.

Limitations and homeowner responsibility: Cohen stressed that no measure can guarantee a home will never ignite but said reducing ignitability makes fires “manageable” rather than catastrophic. He highlighted that homeowners live in the house and federal/state/local fire services cannot mandate every private action; therefore, homeowner choices are central to survival in high-consequence events.

Follow-up: Cohen said additional speakers would examine construction and property-level measures in more detail; his presentation framed structure-level interventions as complementary to broader vegetation management and suppression planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Living and Working in the Wildlife Urban Interface part3","oneSentenceSummary","Jack Cohen, a longtime fire-lab scientist, told an audience that structure ignitions during wildland-urban fires often come from windborne embers and that homeowner measures—nonflammable roofs, defensible space and prescribed burns—can make ignitions manageable when suppression is overwhelmed.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6232539,"High winds spark multiple fires in North Spokane; evacuations ordered, homes lost",818,102000,920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426058-121bc933a8f24456afa648f270b850b6&start=102&end=920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426058-121bc933a8f24456afa648f270b850b6/thumbnail_102000.jpg","/articles/6232539/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/High-winds-spark-multiple-fires-in-North-Spokane-evacuations-ordered-homes-lost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232539-09b14bd34dc52193b84bc3291de9733e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445435&Signature=L27Ia7f5pOwiwq~KzI7k3fg1NdVymABRJs-YxQ4n0QGbXbYi1IZcnIyUn6PN5WNkbI8Xpsolo5xm2BPtRTLXBOCfAeScYZUPqPynSjbZVJA-kOUEZsY2eSorMM1H1boZY8R4iOeT09VsE0OOnBwOcnGpHatAEknrGsa84xaEN15fdl3FA9QJB53TI-lpNOfEwoqhY~ZkkF4gMWs31llx2XbeWhSlwbD6ArKn0EoZ8nkfvAriVUyaMaf8bZzjOgJhUBhk0pKKmll86VI7jEwtPPLpso~N4stjKdMh6sJKLkdm6qlogaQeqx~qiuY4mtAzjcKaMp3eokNuRjtCZdQ2fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A series of wind-driven fires in North Spokane forced evacuations and destroyed homes during a live radio broadcast, with reporters and callers describing rapidly spreading flames, downed power lines and widespread damage.

Radio reporters said emergency officials used the Emergency Alert System to notify residents to evacuate the Ponderosa area and other neighborhoods as crews battled multiple fires. John Allison, a News Four reporter on the scene north of Spokane, told the studio, “We know at least 1 home has burned to the ground here and several were threatened at this moment.”

Why it matters: Broad, simultaneous exposure of structures to embers and flame under high-wind, low-humidity conditions can overwhelm local suppression resources. The live coverage described power outages, downed trees, burning power lines and difficulties getting fire equipment to some neighborhoods because of blocked roads and limited water supply.

Most important facts: Live on-air accounts and callers described multiple active fires and evacuations. Radio coverage reported that four homes near Washington Road by the airport had been lost to fire. Callers and reporters stressed that back roads and many residential streets had trees and power lines down, and that in some locations a lack of nearby water supplies limited firefighting options.

On-scene conditions and response: A caller described the neighborhood as looking “like a war zone” with trees down and buildings damaged. Reporters noted that firefighters and heavy equipment were being given priority access to blocked roads while residents were moved out. One caller said a power line near an upstairs neighbor had begun to burn and that there were grass fires in dry areas. Another on-air reporter said wind gusts had been recorded at an unofficial 63 mph during the event, noting the exceptional strength of the winds.

Citizens’ experience: Multiple residents described hurried evacuations and rescuing animals and belongings. One resident asked whether 911 had responded, saying, “I called 911 and no one came,” a reflection of the live reports that suppression effectiveness was severely constrained when many structures and areas were simultaneously exposed.

Ongoing actions and guidance: Broadcasters repeatedly urged listeners not to travel unless necessary and to follow official evacuation orders. Radio dispatches and on-scene reporters described firefighters prioritizing life-safety and moving homeowners away from active flames until equipment could safely enter.

What remains unknown from the broadcast: Exact counts of total structures damaged beyond the four homes reported, the number of injuries, and the official cause(s) of ignition were not specified in the live coverage. Officials’ longer-term recovery priorities and the status of power restoration were not provided in the audio excerpts.

Local follow-up: Emergency officials and utility companies were the appropriate sources for confirmed tallies, evacuation zone maps and safety guidance; listeners were directed to follow official channels for updates.","High winds and downed power lines drove multiple fast-moving fires in North Spokane during a live broadcast; radio reporters said at least four homes were destroyed and emergency broadcasts ordered evacuations in parts of the Ponderosa area.","actionData","errors"]

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Fire scientist Jack Cohen: make homes less ignitable; embers—not just nearby flames—drive structure loss

High winds spark multiple fires in North Spokane; evacuations ordered, homes lost