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Dry, hot weather and Santa Ana winds are the prime ingredients for wildfires. Gentle winter rains that brought vibrant flowers and green hillsides also resulted in an explosion of mustard and other non-native plants, which are now drying out and increasing the threat of fire. Unfortunately, this year's rain did little to reduce the effects on vegetation from the prolonged drought in our region, and may have even added more fuel. According to the National Weather Service and CalFire, southern California may face another difficult fire year.
Frequent wildfires are devastating to people, property, and our rare habitats. As a way to help prevent wildfires, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, in partnership with the Orange County Fire Authority and the InterCanyon League and Greater Laguna Fire Safe Councils, is implementing a Fire Watch Program during extreme fire danger conditions. Hundreds of community volunteers are stationed at strategic locations around the wildlands to deter arsonists, prevent accidental ignition and spot fires quickly.
The ultimate goal is to provide a high level of community visibility on Santa Ana wind days and Red Flag days. Together, as a community, we must deter detrimental behavior in areas identified by the Fire Authority as "high risk" and "high probability zones".
Prevention and community involvement are the primary keys to saving property, money, the ecosystem and most importantly-lives. The risk of too many frequent fires is probably the greatest long term threat to the rare and globally-endangered ecosystems on the historic Irvine Ranch. In addition, fire has long been a major threat to neighborhoods that are close to nature. By being prepared and coming together as a community we stand a better chance of protecting lives and property; in addition, we help ensure that our special natural areas will be healthy for generations to come.
As the Fire Season starts earlier and drags on longer each year, it is critical for land managers, homeowner's associations and people living near wildlands to come together to prevent wildfires. If your HOA borders the wildlands and would like to partner in this cause please join us in the fight against wildfires click here.
Dry, hot weather and Santa Ana winds are the prime ingredients for wildfires. Gentle winter rains that brought vibrant flowers and green hillsides also resulted in an explosion of mustard and other non-native plants, which are now drying out and increasing the threat of fire. Unfortunately, this year's rain did little to reduce the effects on vegetation from the prolonged drought in our region, and may have even added more fuel. According to the National Weather Service and CalFire, southern California may face another difficult fire year.
Prevention and community involvement are the primary keys to saving property, money, the ecosystem and most importantly-lives. The risk of too many frequent fires is probably the greatest long term threat to the rare and globally-endangered ecosystems on the historic Irvine Ranch. In addition, fire has long been a major threat to neighborhoods that are close to nature. By being prepared and coming together as a community we stand a better chance of protecting lives and property; in addition, we help ensure that our special natural areas will be healthy for generations to come.
