Guidelines for Post-Wildfire Inspections of Unstable Slopes, Slope Reinforcement, and Slope Protection Systems

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe across the country and pose a significant threat to geotechnical assets, including unstable slopes, slope reinforcement, and slope protection systems. Wildfires can be extreme events that increase the risk of slope instability while simultaneously degrading the integrity of slope reinforcement and slope protection. Though many state departments of transportation (DOTs) have established protocols for routine inspections of geotechnical assets, non-routine inspections of these assets are warranted in the aftermath of wildfires. Research is needed to identify data and develop guidelines for evaluating the impacts of wildfire and excessive heat on the steel and corrosion-protection components of slope reinforcement and slope protection systems and the soil and rock properties of unstable slopes. This work will ensure state DOTs have the tools to evaluate and maintain the safety and stability of these assets along highways following wildfires. To generate these guidelines, the key testing objectives will include: (1) testing and analyzing the degradation of installed slope reinforcement and protection systems under wildfire-induced thermal stress and (2) investigating post-wildfire changes in soil and rock properties that influence slope stability. These efforts will produce practical guidelines for visual inspections, structural integrity assessments, and documentation procedures. By providing state DOTs with detailed guidance on post-wildfire inspections, this research will support proactive maintenance and rehabilitation practices, enhance infrastructure resilience in fire-prone areas, and ensure the safety of transportation networks. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to establish comprehensive post-wildfire guidelines for assessing and addressing wildfire-related damage to these specific critical assets.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5898
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $700,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 25-79

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Brooks, Michael

• Start Date: 20251105
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Guidelines; Inspection; Reinforcing materials; Slope stability; Slopes; Wildfires
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01955925
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 25-79
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 26 2025 10:22PM