San Diego Wildfires: Myths
If you live in San Diego County, you already know that wildfires are a common hazard. First, we need to dispel some common myths about wildfire. Second, we need to learn how to prevent wildfires, so that we can protect ourselves in the future.
“San Diego Wildfires are Naturally Frequent.”
Myth: San Diego Wildfires are nature’s way of clearing brush, so they’re necessary. Frequent wildfires have been happening for thousands, if not millions, of years. As a result, our habitat has evolved with wildfire.
Reality: San Diego County is one of the most wildfire-prone areas in the world, but that doesn’t mean it should happen. First of all, frequent wildfires in this area are not natural. The two dominant habitats in this area, which are coastal sage scrub and chaparral, did not burn often in the past. Historically, wildfires would naturally occur once every 30-125 years. (Halsey, and Rubin & Warren)
Secondly, our habitats can’t survive frequent fires. Elsewhere in the United States, plant communities like prairies and some woodlands need fire every few years to maintain themselves. In contrast, our natural habitats in Southern California cannot withstand frequent fires. Consequently, fires can kill off these habitats. We don’t live in a fire-adapted community; therefore, our habitat disappears if it burns too often. (Landis)
“Nature Causes San Diego Wildfires.”
Myth: Wildfires are caused by Santa Ana winds and dry vegetation.
Reality: Nature usually doesn’t cause wildfire in San Diego County. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, more commonly known as Cal Fire, reports that at least 95% of all San Diego wildfires in recent history are caused by human activity. Examples of fire-causing human activity include machinery sparks, campfires, and arson. While hot Santa Anas and drought create a high risk of fire, human activity is the cause. In addition, the introduction of invasive weeds, which burn more easily than our native habitat, has made us even more susceptible.
In recent history, San Diego County has experienced large, frequent wildfires. As our population increases, we can expect that they will continue to happen.
“Our Wildlands are Highly Flammable.”
Myth: Our natural habitats, coastal sage scrub and chaparral, are naturally flammable, and increase our risk of fires.
Reality: The natural vegetation in our area is not fire-prone. In fact, native plants tend to act more fire-resistant than many of the exotic species of plants that are commonly sold. What makes San Diego County fire-prone are the hot, dry Santa Ana winds, and the lack of rain.
Certainly, well-hydrated plants are far more resistant to fire. Likewise, even our native plants that are more fire-resistant will burn if they haven’t been watered in months, and are subjected to hot, dry winds.
“There’s Nothing We Can Do About Wildfires.”
Myth: We’re surrounded by vegetation in North San Diego County, so there’s nothing we can do to protect ourselves from wildfires. So, we just have to hope that we don’t lose our homes in the next fire.
Reality: While there is no way to guarantee that your house won’t burn, there are definitely steps you can take to protect your house and your neighborhood.
Wildfires are dangerous, highly destructive events that damage property and natural habitats. Also, they release carbon dioxide and noxious gases into the atmosphere. Taking steps to prevent wildfire makes you a good homeowner, neighbor, and citizen of our planet.
San Diego Wildfires: Reality
News coverage of the 2014 San Diego wildfires focused on tall flames and property destruction, but that is only a small part of the story. Instead, we need to replace fear and sensationalism with education and preparedness. As a result, the more we understand our local ecology and its fire sensitivity, the more steps we can take to protect our homes, properties, and neighborhoods. Above all, awareness and education can even help us to prevent wildfires in the first place.
This article series outlines three levels of wildfire protection: your house, your property, and your neighborhood. The next three articles will provide information and checklists to help prepare for the next wildfire. The first step: Fireproof Your House.
Here are three articles every San Diegan should read about protecting your home from wildfire:
Landscaping Your Home in a Fire Area: http://www.laspilitas.com/fire.htm
Protecting Your Home From Fire: https://www.californiachaparral.org/fire/protecting-your-home
Great op-ed by Rick Halsey about building neighborhoods in fire-prone areas: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-halsey-socal-fires-why-20171207-story.html
San Diego County residents: you can register your cell phone and e-mail address for AlertSanDiego, to receive evacuation information and special alerts regarding fires.
http://www.readysandiego.org/alertsandiego/#register
Thanks to these local experts for contributing to this article:
Kay Stewart is a local native plant expert and landscape architect. You can contact her via her website.
Frank Landis is a botanist, writer, and conservation chair of the San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
Greg Rubin is the CEO of California’s Own Native Landscape Design, Inc. He co-authored The California Native Landscape: The Homeowner’s Design Guide to Restoring Its Beauty and Balance with Lucy Warren. He also co-authored with Warren The Drought-Defying California Garden: 230 Native Plants for a Lush, Low-Water Landscape. Rubin is a recognized leader in the field of native plant design, which specializes in creating stable, sustainable, ornamental, low-input gardens with substantial habitat and wildlife value. As a result, he has been featured in Kiplinger’s, the Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times. Most noteworthy, Greg’s recent landscaping projects include Hilton Resorts in Carlsbad and Oceanside, the Del Mar Fairgrounds, The Lux Art Institute, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center, and Ecke Ranch High Point. You can contact Greg Rubin via his website.
Rubin, Greg and Lucy Warren, The California Native Landscape: The Homeowner’s Design Guide to Restoring Its Beauty and Balance. Timber Press Inc., 2013. Order here.
Rubin, Greg and Lucy Warren, The Drought-Defying California Garden: 230 Native Plants for a Lush, Low-Water Landscape. Timber Press, Inc., 2016. Order here.
Richard Halsey is a biologist and fire ecologist. He is a popular teacher of natural science at the San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park. He has over 25 years’ experience studying Southern California chaparral. Visit the California Chaparral Institute website to learn more about his education and research efforts.
Halsey, Richard W., Fire, Chaparral, and Survival in Southern California. Sunbelt Publications, Inc., 2005. (Free signed copy when you join the California Chaparral Institute)
