Tecate Cypress trees once covered all of the southwest a million years ago when the climate was cooler and wetter. A remnant population of this rare tree is protected south of the 91 Freeway. A 2006 fire killed most of the mature trees, and multiple fires have occurred in the canyon. Fingers are crossed the rebounding seedlings grow old enough to produce seeds before another fire.
The state hasn’t learned the lessons related to wildfire. For nearly 15 years the California Chaparral Institute has been advocating for a better outcome than vegetation removal on all our wildlands as the “answer” to stopping wildfire. It doesn’t work–we have dozens of fires to point to as proof. On Wednesday, December 11th, CalFire will consider approving its Vegetation Treatment Program’s Environmental Impact Report. The plan is to target 20 MILLION acres of native California habitat and destroy it–in the name of … Read More
In a report issued for Los Angeles County, fire agencies reviewed the Woolsey Fire. It states, “we cannot expect that all population growth in Very High or High Fire Hazard Severity areas can be protected simply by increasing resiliency to wildfire and by adding more fire engines.” The Los Angeles Times article goes on to say: “But it is folly to think that stricter building codes and more fire engines can eliminate the danger we create by building and rebuilding in … Read More
Claire Schlotterbeck, Hills For Everyone Executive Director attended the Orange County Coastkeeper’s fire workshop at Cal State Fullerton. She relayed what she has done to protect her own home from wildfire embers. Read the Daily Titan article.
The Champion Newspapers just printed a story on our Wildfire Study. Our consultant Melanie Schlotterbeck was interviewed for the article. In light of the recent fires, everyone should take proactive actions to make their homes safer. Consider installing ember proof vents, boxing in your eaves, getting rid of the windows in your garage door, replacing vinyl windows with metal ones (that won’t melt in a fire’s heat), etc. View the Chino Champion article.