Abstract

In San José de Maipo, Metropolitan Region, Chile, the vulnerability of buildings was analyzed considering the impact of forest fires in interface areas. For this purpose, we collect population data, fire statistics, construction regulations, current legislation, interviews, workshops with communities, and, in general, extensive information from 2000 onward. With this background, we evaluate the areas with the highest number of residential buildings in forests and the main current construction regulations, as well as the characteristics of fire protection for different categories of construction: residential, schools, hospitals, and all types of critical infrastructure related to mitigation and protection features in case of disasters. Results show a high exposure of almost all categories of buildings. This occurs because constructions are located in areas of exposure with high vulnerability. Regarding to the existing buildings, proposals are offered to improve unsafe conditions in the most vulnerable areas. These proposals have resulted from a pilot experience in Chile, based on the results of the FONDEF Project it16i10003 (Chile), on protection and defense of buildings to forest fires in areas of wildland urban interface.