Having grown up around Malibu, fires and floods are just part and parcel of living in a chaparral biome. Fires and floods have been part of this ecosystem well before people got here, and it is simply man's arrogance to think that we can tame an ecosystem where fire is actually a prerequisite for new growth:
Fire EcologyQuote:
In Southern California, fire has been part of our landscape for millions for years and has played an important role in shaping habitats and plant communities. Many California native plants have adapted strategies to survive fire and some even require elements such as heat, smoke, or charred wood in order to germinate. It's estimated that more than 200 species are obligate seeders, meaning that they require post-fire conditions to germinate (Keeley 2017). The cycle of change brought on by fire is known as secondary ecological succession. Embracing this cycle, as part of the constant flux of our native ecosystems offers new ways of observing, appreciating, and connecting with California native plants.
The rains will come and in the weeks to come where I live will look like a lush paradise. Then the rains will stop, the green will turn brown, and all of that new growth will become fuel for the next fire event. It doesn't even need humans to behave irresponsibly. In the Canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, any Santa Ana wind event with dry tinder can actually force fast air to move through a narrow slot, and the friction alone causes fires to naturally occur.
