Woodland Fires

As the population of California continues to increase, the threat of wildfires also increases. This is because most wildfires are started by humans. It is also generally accepted that the treat of catastrophic fires is higher today than it has ever been. The primary reason for this is that after a 100 years of very successful fire suppression, the amount of fuels in the landscape is much higher than it was when periodic, low intensity fires regularly burned. In the past decade, some of California's largest fires on record have occurred, including some in oak woodlands. As a result, the University has produced a number of publications on fire including a white paper titled Fires in California’s Oak Woodlands. Links to this and other fire-related publications and websites are listed to the right and below.

Fires in California's Oak Woodlands

Burned Oaks: Which Ones Will Survive?

Center for Fire Research and Outreach

Risk of wildfire is one of the critical issues facing California communities that border wildlands. As we were reminded during 2009’s catastrophic Station Fire, wildfires devastate families and communities and damage precious natural areas. Educating homeowners about fire-safe landscaping is one of the most effective ways to increase fire safety, reduce costs associated with property destruction, and reduce the risk of erosion and debris flows after a fire. In addition, wildlands close to communities can suffer if exotic plant species escape from backyards and invade habitat areas. Invasive plants harm habitat and increase the risk of wildfire.

Read about: SAFE Landscapes protects lives, property and the environment

Listen to a Webinar

All webinar segments were taped for the Oak Webinar Series hosted by UCCE Forest Specialists and Advisors in collaboration with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Division.

Fire in Oak Woodlands. Presented by Douglas McCreary, UC Berkeley

Fire - UC Delivers Stories

Fires in California have become all too common during the past two decades. What is especially troubling is that large, catastrophic wildfires resulting in significant property losses seem to be increasing in regularity. Oak woodlands will no doubt continue to be affected by these conflagrations. One reason wildfires are increasing in severity is the build-up of fuels, at least partially the result of effective fire suppression efforts during the last century. There are more fuels on the landscape today, especially in the understory, and the fires that start are more likely to become large in scope.

Read about: Fire in California's Oak Woodlands

Fire has always been a natural part of California's ecosystem, but more than 50 years of fire suppression have allowed large amounts of fuel to accumulate. This has increased both the intensity of fires and their impact on the environment. To add to the dilemma, more people are moving into these forest lands, increasing the chance of a fire starting and complicating management of fires once they start.

Read about: Addressing fire in California's foothills

Wildfires occur frequently in San Diego County. The potential for losses has grown over the last few decades due to an increasing wildland-urban interface -- areas where residents live in the vicinity or in the midst of wildland vegetation. Following the 2003 firestorms, there was an onslaught of new building codes, brush management ordinances and educational programs adopted and developed by many fire authorities, cities and county departments. The intention was to assist wildfire victims and encourage others to prepare themselves and their properties for the next wildfire incident. Unfortunately, residents were often confused due to conflicting information and difficulties with interpreting new codes and ordinances.

Read about: Wildfire education and outreach: Helping the San Diego community