EHL advocates for sound fire management

EHL is participating in a state working group to develop fire management strategies for California shrublands – chaparral and coastal sage scrub.

The California Resources Agency formed the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force <https://wildfiretaskforce.org> to coordinate the best available science to confront the fire challenges facing the state. It is now focused on shrublands, which are not only in Southern California but in the Sierra Foothills and Central Coast. Elected officials and local fire agencies have permitted unbridled expansion of housing into the “wildland-urban interface” or WUI, creating risk.

The shrubland fires that cause loss of life and property are driven by high winds and flying embers, and only limited “fuel reduction” is effective, such as fuel breaks for firefighting access, defensible space around structures, and “hardening” roadsides against ignitions. Making homes fire-resistant is paramount. CalFire has nevertheless promoted clearing vegetation distant from communities.  This is counterproductive as it leads to a more flammable landscape as native plants are converted into very flammable invasive grasses and weeds.

EHL is pleased to have been asked by the Task Force to participate in developing a chaparral strategy. We attending an initial meeting in August held in Los Angeles and helped identify key issues. We also attended a larger workshop on fire in the region. The collaboration and scientific orientation are encouraging, and EHL looks forward to working with fire agencies and stakeholders on this timely endeavor.