Event Logistics:
This event has ended
Trip Recap and Photos
June 14th we toured conservation lands in Orange County courtesy of Danny Fry, Fire Management Coordinator of the Natural Communities Collaboration of Orange County, and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Conservation of natural lands in this region is challenged by habitat fragmentation, geographic isolation and frequent fires. Land managers were unanimous in the need to prevent fires on reserve lands. Approaches to reduce ignitions or prevent spread into protected areas were shared. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy has an impressive fire watch program (view information here > ) that is deployed under red flag conditions when the potential for large fires is greatest. Engineering solutions along roadways and planted cactus habitat fuel breaks are being planned as methods to reduce ignitions and prevent fire starts. Common themes for southern California are the need to inform local city councils, boards of supervisors and planning commissions on how best to reduce fire risk and provide for habitat conservation; how to better implement defensible space, possibly through incentive and insurance programs; how to better prevent ignitions, especially under severe weather conditions.
Event Description:
Land and resource managers and scientists benefit from in-person dialogue, where research needs and existing science that supports land management are developed and shared. The JFSP California Fire Science Consortium invites you to participate in a dialogue with the purpose of engaging local researchers and managers on fire science/management issues relevant to ecosystems common to the South Coast Region. The setting will be a field trip to the shrub-dominated communities in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, which will help frame the discussion topics. We will cover regionally important fire issues including, but not limited to, ignition patterns, fire frequency, protection of natural resources, and fuel modification along the urban edge. Discussions will be open with input encouraged from all participants.
Location:
Fremont Staging area, Irvine Regional Park
For directions view map PDF >
