California wildfires: an analysis of building safety

Carlo Dall’Oppio, a civil engineer and former Director General at the Italian Ministry of the Interior responsible for the National Fire and Rescue Service, shares his insights into the issue of fire safety in construction.

You have held high-level roles throughout your career. What technical and cultural changes have you observed in the approach to safety over the years? What lessons can be learned from the devastating fires in Los Angeles?
There’s no doubt that awareness of safety has grown among both the public and businesses, and with it, demand for safer, more effective solutions. But over the past thirty years, this has also led to a steady increase in rules and regulations. While these are intended to improve safety, they sometimes risk losing sight of practical priorities and the main objective. California is a region where wildfires occur regularly and where climatic and environmental conditions can make them especially destructive. Factors such as prolonged drought, strong winds and dry vegetation are a deadly combination that, in a context like that of California, make it essential to adopt construction solutions that take adequate account of fire safety.

What more could be done in California to help protect urban areas and nearby forests from fires?
In the case of California, one of the most effective fire prevention measures is the creation of firebreaks, strips of land where vegetation has been removed to reduce the presence of flammable material. These areas are vital not just for stopping fires from spreading but also for facilitating the work of the emergency services. In Italy, we have a different building tradition, with large numbers of masonry buildings that offer greater natural fire resistance. Prevention remains the most effective policy. While modern tools such as aerial surveillance systems are helpful, we can’t rely solely on these solutions as they are vulnerable to interference. Passive protection is the backbone of any effective fire safety strategy.

On the subject of building safety, you mentioned the importance of using non-combustible materials. So why are other types of materials used in California? Is the area’s high seismic risk a significant factor? 
There’s a strong tradition of wood construction in the United States, particularly in suburban areas. It’s an affordable, widely available material that is easy to transport and allows for rapid construction and renovation. But its popularity also stems from seismic concerns. Many parts of the US, including California, are high-risk earthquake zones, and local regulations rightly prioritise earthquake resistance. That influences both the materials and the construction techniques used. Italy has similar priorities when it comes to seismic safety. Our national building standards (NTC) govern the use of structural materials like reinforced concrete and clay brick, which also offer much better fire resistance. A 30 cm thick masonry wall, for instance, can withstand fire for at least two hours, helping to contain a blaze. The use of non-combustible materials is deeply rooted in our building culture and could be more widely adopted in the United States.

As concern over climate change grows, how do fires impact environmental sustainability? Can safer building design support broader environmental goals?
Fires have a devastating environmental impact, releasing huge amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Using non-combustible materials can help stop fires from spreading, reducing both long-term damage and environmental impact. Building safe, fire-resistant and durable structures reduces the need for reconstruction, which conserves resources and cuts emissions. Much of Italy’s historic building stock is already aligned with sustainability goals thanks to the use of traditional masonry construction. But there’s still room for improvement, especially in using fire-safe materials for exterior façades and promoting passive protection through new technologies. Safety-oriented design and the use of the right materials can make a real difference.

Finally, do you think events like the California wildfires can teach us valuable lessons in Italy?
Absolutely. The fires in California are a stark reminder of how important prevention and structural safety really are. While Italy’s buildings need significant upgrades to meet EU energy targets, we already follow many construction principles that prioritise human safety in the event of a fire. That said, some of the recent energy retrofits, particularly under the Superbonus scheme, have raised concerns. The use of unprotected insulating façade panels with poor fire performance could potentially place both buildings and lives at risk.
We need to take a more analytical, rigorous approach to these challenges and make sure our buildings continue to evolve to meet the growing threats posed by climate change and natural disasters.

(Article by Flavia Santia, pubblished in "CER il giornale della ceramica" n. 410 magazine)