- Author: Chris M. Webb
The University of California has a great publication titled, Invasive Plants and Wildfires in Southern California.
This resource discusses the impact of non-native plants in the landscape before and after wildfire. Changes in recommendations regarding reducing wildfire risk and recovery after a fire are also covered. By working together we can reduce the risks and negative impacts of wildfire.
Also included is a link to San Diego Cooperative Extension’s Wildfire Zone . This education and outreach program was created to increase awareness of wildfire risks and hazards.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Living with Wildfire: Planning for the Future is the 2010 annual conference of Southern California’s Regional Area Safety Taskforce (RAST). RAST is a partnership of local, state and federal entities working to facilitate collaborative fireshed management planning and local implementation for safe, sustainable communities.
With this year’s focus on Living with Wildfire: Planning for the Future, the 2010 Fire Summit explores innovative ways to navigate the relationship between land use, resource, and fire planning. It provides a venue for leaders from a range of organizations to work together to improve wildfire coordination in Southern California.
- When: June 2nd, 2010
- Where: Southern California Air Quality Management District in Diamond Bar
- Who should attend?: Land use/urban planners and commissioners, elected officials, landscape architects, fire and resource professionals, fire safe councils, and anyone interested in taking steps now to plan for future fires!
- Cost: Register by May 26 for the early bird rate of $40.00
For more information and to register, visit: http://firesummit.info/
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Did you know your local UCCE office is a great place to get fire-safe information? Natural Resources Advisor, Sabrina Drill has done much work to make this knowledge easily available for you.
Two free publications that provide great tips and ideas on how to make your property fire safe are: Making your property fire safe and S.A.F.E. landscapes in the wildland- urban interface.
Other great fire-safe information can be found on our website by clicking the “fire information” button on our home page, or by clicking here.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
California’s oak trees are facing another challenge to their survival. The gold-spotted oak borer (GSOB) was identified in California in 2006; since that time, over 17,000 oaks have died from this pest.
The loss of oak trees, especially in the wild, brings many negative impacts: loss of wildlife habitat, greater risk of erosion and catastrophic fire, invasion of noxious weeds, as well as safety risks related to falling trees or branches.
The borer attacks the trunks and branches of mature oaks. While most pests attack trees that are stressed or weakened, the GSOB attacks large, healthy trees – including trees in yards. Thus far the damage has been contained to San Diego County.
Much work is being conducted in an effort to learn more about the GSOB. With more knowledge, researchers hope to be able to stop the destruction of these magnificent trees. At this time, all we can do is work together to slow the spread of the GSOB with the following steps:
- Do not transport oak firewood into or out of campgrounds or parks
- Chip infested oak wood to 1-inch pieces
- Cover stored oak firewood with 6 mm, UV-stabilized, durable plastic tarps in the spring. Secure all the edges of the tarp to the ground to prevent beetles from escaping
- Season oak firewood. Remove the bark and place the wood in direct sunlight
Pictures of the borer, the damage caused, and more information can be found here.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The Santa Barbara/Ventura County USDA Farm Service Agency would like to remind ranchers and livestock produces of some upcoming deadlines for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).
The “LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers that have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire. For losses due to drought, qualifying drought ratings are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor located at http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.Eligible livestock under LFP include beef cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine. Fire losses apply only to federally managed rangeland.”
The deadline for losses incurred during calendar year 2008 is December 10, 2009. For losses incurred during the 2009 calendar year, the deadline to apply for benefits is January 30, 2010.
Additional details can be found by contacting our office, or by contacting Breda Farias at brenda.farias@ca.usda.gov or daisy.lopez@ca.usda.gov.