What Fuels Wildfires?

What fuels So Cal wildfires?

California Chaparral Ecosystem

Coastal woodlands and grasslands of So Cal have precipitation of 12 to 40 inches per year

Climate is hot and dry in summer, rainy and mild in winter

Plants have adapted by conserving water, have small, waxy leaves

Coastal woodlands and grasslands of So Cal have precipitation of 12 to 40 inches per year

Climate is hot and dry in summer, rainy and mild in winter

Plants have adapted by conserving water, have small, waxy leaves

California Scrub Oak

The name of the chaparral ecosystem was derived from the Spanish word for scrub oak, chaparro

This is a small evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubby oak, which may be small and compact, or grow several meters high, depending on terrain and local conditions

Its acorns were an important Native American food source

The name of the chaparral ecosystem was derived from the Spanish word for scrub oak, chaparro

This is a small evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubby oak, which may be small and compact, or grow several meters high, depending on terrain and local conditions

Its acorns were an important Native American food source

Fire-prone plant community

Chaparral is fire-prone

The plants produce volatile oils that help them to retain moisture, but evaporate when the weather turns hot

Escaping gases form a cloud above shrubs that explodes when touched by flame, flying embers

Chaparral is fire-prone

The plants produce volatile oils that help them to retain moisture, but evaporate when the weather turns hot

Escaping gases form a cloud above shrubs that explodes when touched by flame, flying embers

Santa Ana Winds

Winter rains bring a flush of new growth in chaparral

When the plants dry out in the summer and fall,

Lightening, arson or human carelessness may spark fire

Santa Ana winds can move a wildfire at speed of 40 miles (60 km) per day

Dense clouds of burning embers can blow across firebreaks, spreading fire

Winter rains bring a flush of new growth in chaparral

When the plants dry out in the summer and fall,

Lightening, arson or human carelessness may spark fire

Santa Ana winds can move a wildfire at speed of 40 miles (60 km) per day

Dense clouds of burning embers can blow across firebreaks, spreading fire

Danger to Houses

Housing developments have been built amidst chaparral-cloaked hills

Fire danger has risen with population growth

Probability of accidental fires grows as more people come to live in chaparral ecosystem

Housing developments have been built amidst chaparral-cloaked hills

Fire danger has risen with population growth

Probability of accidental fires grows as more people come to live in chaparral ecosystem

Land Use Planning Needed

Landscape with average of 45 humans per square kilometer is most prone to burn

Lower density has less human activity

Higher density leaves less wild land to burn

As CA population grows, planning will be needed

Landscape with average of 45 humans per square kilometer is most prone to burn

Lower density has less human activity

Higher density leaves less wild land to burn

As CA population grows, planning will be needed