According to NASA, extreme wildfire activity has more than doubled worldwide. Over the course of 21-years, scientists have discovered that wildfires are more frequent and more intense, with their satellites detecting an average of two per day across the globe. What’s more, wildfires are extending beyond the typical summer season, increasing damage and overall emissions into the atmosphere.
Similarly, according to the National Fire Sprinkler Association, the number of structural fires in the U.S. are also experiencing a decade-long increase. While the number of structural fires is lower compared to 1980, the increase represents a worrying trend, as structural fires are the most expensive and dangerous type of fire event, damaging homes and endangering civilians.
As wildfires and structural fires proliferate, builders, contractors, architects, and developers would be wise to consider the resilience of their building materials in the face of such serious and growing threats.
Concrete Masonry Is Fire-Resistant and Protective
Concrete masonry is the obvious and ethical choice for building projects, particularly in areas more vulnerable to wildfire. It offers inherent fire-resistant properties that protect investments and safeguard human life.
Unlike wood-framed structures that ignite and fuel an uncontrolled blaze, masonry provides superior protection. Non-combustible masonry materials such as concrete blocks, clay bricks, and natural stones do not ignite, burn, or emit toxic fumes when exposed to fire.
Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) offer a high thermal mass that slows heat transfer, thwarting the spread of fire, and providing vital time for evacuation and firefighting efforts. Structures built from masonry materials can achieve fire-resistant ratings of four hours or more, depending on unit thickness and aggregate type. The ratings are well-documented and validated by the ASTM E119, a standardized test developed to rate the fire resistance of buildings.
Concrete Masonry Offers Superior Resilience and Integrity
In January 2025, California was confronted with devastating wildfires that demolished nearly 17,000 structures and resulted in 30 fatalities. It was one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, with a total economic impact of $250 billion in losses. One only has to look at the news to understand how vulnerable wood-framed construction can be in the face of structural fires:
- On August 6, 2024 a six-story wood-frame rental apartment under construction in Vancouver was destroyed by fire, which also ignited nine smaller fires on nearby properties.
- On December 11, 2024 a large lightweight wood-frame hotel under construction in Tennessee was destroyed in a massive fire.
- In December of 2023, a 3-alarm fire torched a wood-framed apartment complex that was under construction in Aurora, CO. Because the construction was new, there were a dearth of fire hydrants in the area, making containment more difficult for fire fighters.
- Also in December of 2023, a fire destroyed a $1B mixed-use apartment complex in development in Rowlette, TX. The fire burned for 32 hours before it was extinguished.
Combustible building materials are often totally destroyed in structural fire or wildfire events. By contrast, structures built with concrete masonry are durable, often withstanding extreme heat to retain their integrity post-fire. This resilience makes all difference during reconstruction, reducing workload and insurance costs while accelerating recovery. Concrete masonry is insurance baked into the structure, providing serious safeguards against disaster and improving peace-of-mind.
Proactive Protection Against Worrying Trends
With rising trends in wildfires and structural fires it’s no wonder there is a growing demand for resilient infrastructure. For hundreds of years, masonry has provided robust defense against the ravages of uncontrolled fires. And, thanks to its exceptional resilience it offers long-term sustainability, better environmental impact, and lower insurance premiums—making it the perfect long-term investment and proactive choice against disaster.
At Southeast Concrete Masonry Association, we want to ensure the safety of every building. We believe that you can build better with block, which is why we offer a comprehensive library of resources to assist you, whatever your role. Browse our free, professional resources to dive deeper into the benefits of masonry or explore our membership options and join SCMA today.