Establishing the Wildland-Urban interface building risk index (WUIBRI): The case study of Beit-Meri

A Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is conducted and projected over the next five years from the date of the study. Under the conservative scenario, output reveals that implementing simple measures (i.e. pruning and trimming vegetation around the home, creating two-ways roads with two exits, establishing fire sprinklers system) reduces WUIBRI values; accordingly, decreasing the wildfire threat would require only 20% on the first year and 6.15% on the long run (for the next five years) of the total costs when only one wildfire occurs per year. It is recommended that homeowners, municipalities, and decision-makers, join forces to create a fire-adapted community. The approach outlined in this study is achievable in other Mediterranean regions to reduce wildfire suppression costs.