WILDFIRE 101
Something missing? Send your suggested resources and events to info@watershedhealth.org!
DAY 1 SPEAKER RESOURCES
Scholarly Articles
Fire Impacts on Ant Assemblages in California Sage Scrub [link] Adams, Staubus, & Meyer, 2018
Carbon and nitrogen in the topsoils of Inceptisols and Mollisols under native sage scrub and non-native grasslands in southern California [link] Authors: Caspi et al., 2018
Impacts of invasive annuals on soil carbon and nitrogen storage in southern California depend on the identity of the invader [link] Authors: Caspi et al., 2019
Type conversion from native California sage scrub to non-native grassland accelerates decomposition processes [link] Authors: Dipman & Wallace, 2019
Max Moritz Google Scholar Page [link]
Building to Coexist with Fire: Community Risk Reduction Measures for New Development in CA [link] Authors: Mortiz & Butsic, 2020
Plant-Soil Feedback Effects on Germination and Growth of Native and Non-Native Species Common across Southern California [link] Authors: Singh & Meyer, 2020
The effects of development, vegetation-type conversion, and fire on low-elevation Southern California spider assemblages [link] Authors: Spear et al., 2017
Ant communities in native sage scrub, non-native grassland, and suburban habitats in Los Angeles County, USA: conservation implications [link] Authors: Staubus et al., 2015
Non-native plant removal and high rainfall years promote post-fire recovery of Artemisia californica in southern California sage scrub [link] Authors: Thomson, Meyer, Whitcomb, 2021
Carbon and nitrogen storage in California sage scrub and non-native grassland habitats [link] Authors: Wheeler et al., 2016
Websites & Tools
Post-Wildfire Debris Flows, CA Department of Conservation
Post-Fire Food Safety Study and Toolkit, UC Cooperative Extension Sonoma County
Real time air quality measurements, South Coast Air Quality Management District
South Coast AQMD Advisories, South Coast Air Quality Management District
South Coast AQMD Mobile App, South Coast Air Quality Management District
Wildfire Smoke Health & Safety Tips, South Coast Air Quality Management District
Post Wildfire Resource Links [docx], California State Water and Resources Control Board
Post Wildfire Recovery, Cal Fire
After Wildfire - A Guide for California Communities, Silver Jackets Team
Flood After Fire California Toolkit, Silver Jackets Team
California Soil Resource Lab, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources - UC Davis
Center for Ecosystem Climate Solutions
Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Management Group
Tackling Challenges of a Drier, Hotter, More Fire-Prone Futures, Eos Science News
Resilient Watersheds and Fire Management Factsheet, Resilient Watersheds and Fire Management Factsheet
California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, Forest Management Task Force
Current Barriers to the Expansion of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire in California and Recommended Solutions, Karuk Climate Change Projects
Santa Ana Watershed Forest First Program, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies (COPE), COPE Northern Sonoma County
Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
Methodology to Estimate Economic Benefits of Forest Restoration to the Santa Ana Watershed, Cardno ENTRIX
DAY 2 SPEAKER RESOURCES
Scholarly Articles
Faunal Responses to Fire in Chaparral and Sage Scrub in California, USA [link], Authors: Elizabeth F. van Mantgem, Jon E. Keeley, Marti Witter
Faunal Diversity in Chaparral Ecosystems [link], Authors: Megan Jennings
A landscape-scale framework to identify refugia from multiple stressors [link], Authors: Isabel M. Rojas, Megan K. Jennings, Erin Conlisk, Alexandra D. Syphard, Jack Mikesell, Alicia M. Kinoshita, Krista West, Doug Stow, Emanuel Storey, Mark E. De Guzman, Diane Foote, Alexandria Warneke, Amber Pairis, Sherry Ryan, Lorraine E. Flint, Alan L. Flint, Rebecca L. Lewison
Websites & Reports
Sustainable Defensible Space: Eco-appropriate Homescaping for Wildfire Resilience, Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM); California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
California Botanic Garden Website
Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management, San Diego State University
Connecting Wildlands & Communities, Climate Science Alliance
Climate Resilient Connectivity Project for the South Coast Ecoregion of California,
Climate Science Alliance
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Resources
SYMPOSIUM RECAP
Day 1 - Wildfire: Weather, Water, Weeds, Wildlife
Sept. 16th | 9:00am-1:00pm
Council for Watershed Health
With support from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, CWH convened experts and interest groups around the physical, ecological and cultural impacts and responses to increasing wildfires in our region. Day 1 focused on climate, geohydrology, weather science, impacts of wildfire on soils and watersheds, and how we address the effects of fire on human communities. Check out the Day 1 resources here:
Day 2 - Wildfire: Weather, Water, Weeds, Wildlife
Sept. 30th | 9:00am-1:00pm
Council for Watershed Health
With support from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, CWH convened experts and interest groups around the physical, ecological and cultural impacts and responses to increasing wildfires in our region. On Day 2, experts discussed how plant communities in forests and shrublands respond to wildfire, including the interplay with invasive weeds. Attendees learned how habitats and wildlife interact with fire and how we can support recovery. Check out the Day 2 resources here:
Day 3 - Wildfire: Weather, Water, Weeds, Wildlife
Oct. 14th | 2:00pm-5:30pm
Council for Watershed Health
With support from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, CWH convened experts and interest groups around the physical, ecological and cultural impacts and responses to increasing wildfires in our region. Day 3 focused on how agencies, utilities and communities manage and respond to fire impacts. Check out the Day 3 resources here:
Upcoming Events
Califronia Fire Science Consortium
The California Fire Science Consortium is divided into 4 geographic regions and 1 wildland-urban interface (WUI) team. Statewide coordination of this program is based at UC Berkeley. LEARN MORE
DAY 3 SPEAKER RESOURCES
Websites & Education
A Road Map to Fire Safety, Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Alliance
Angeles National Forest Website, USDA Forest Service
Listos California - California for All Website
Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability Website
Los Angeles Climate Vulnerability Assessment, LA County Chief Sustainability Office
Los Angeles Stewardship Mapping & Assessment Project (STEW-MAP), LMU Center for Urban Resilience (CURes)
Luc Lab: Researching Land Use & Land Use Change, UC Berkeley
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Website
National Forest Foundation Website
Pacific Southwest Research Station, US Forest Service
Partnering for the Sustainability, Protection, Restoration, and Stewardship of National Forests and Grasslands, United States Department of Agriculture
Ready! Set! Go! Your Personal Wildfire Action Plan, LA County Fire Department
Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains Website
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Website
Shared Stewardship Landing Page, US Forest Service
Shared Stewardship Video [Youtube], US Forest Service
Southern California Forest Fund, National Forest Foundation
Southern California Forests and Watersheds, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service
Sustainable Defensible Space: Protecting Homes and Landscapes Against Wildfires, Pacific Horticulture
Valuing Chaparral: Ecological, Socio-Economic, and Management Perspectives, Authors: Emma C. Underwood, Hugh D. Safford, Nicole A. Molinari, and Jon E. Keeley
Valuing Chaparral Youtube Video, US Forest Service
Nature's Benefits: Valuing Ecosystem Services, USDA Forest Service
GENERAL A-Z RESOURCES
A Four-Step Approach to Planning for Wildfire in the Wildland-Urban Interface
By California Fire Science Consortium
This talk will focus on a four-step approach to integrating wildfire planning for the wildland-urban interface (WUI) through a variety of planning and implementation processes that work across departments within local governments.
Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide
By The Mesothelioma Center
This guide outlines what to know about asbestos during wildfires and other natural disasters. Wildfires pose a threat for many obvious reasons, but one overlooked potential threat is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral that was once used extensively in home construction due to its fire-resistance until it was discovered that it causes mesothelioma cancer. Asbestos, and other cancer causing minerals, can be released into the air when structures catch fire and begin to burn.
Prepare
Avoiding Wildfire Disasters: Preparedness and Recovery
By Enterprise Community Partners, Inc
Enterprise's Community-Powered Resilience program gathered experience, expertise, and partnership with frontline communities and compiled resources and tools below to help keep California safe from wildfire disasters. It also highlights actions and opportunities for community-based organizations, housing providers, local government, and philanthropists can take to join in on this effort.
Building to Coexist with Fire: Community Risk Reduction Measures for New Development in California
By eScholarship
This publication offers guidance on how planners, fire districts, and communities can develop community-scale risk reduction measures (RRM) when building or rebuilding in fire-prone areas.
Climate Change: What does it mean for Southern California #1
By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
This video is the first of a three-day webinar symposium series presented by the University of California Thelma Hansen Fund (UCTHF). This series focuses on climate change with a particular emphasis on impacts on Southern California's agriculture. Presenters discuss climate change implications for wildfire and flood risk, and fostering community and ecosystem resilience.
Climate Change: What does it mean for Southern California #2
By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
The second day of the UCTHF symposium focuses on climate change impacts on agriculture and how the Healthy Soils program can be used as a tool for mitigation and resilience.
Climate Change: What does it mean for Southern California #3
By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
The third day of the UCTHF symposium focuses on wildland-urban interfaces issues, and wildfire impacts and preventative measures.
Coping with the Aftermath
By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
This guide outlines helpful tips and guides to recovering from a wildfire.
Effects of Post-fire Runoff on Water Quality
By Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
This document describes a regional post-fire water quality monitoring program. The goal of the program is to help address the current information gaps by providing agreed upon regional post-fire water quality sampling procedures, including an implementation plan and a funding strategy. The plan provides a ready “off-the-shelf” response plan that can be quickly implemented after fires.
Fighting fire with fire? Controlled burns may work in NorCal, but not always in SoCal
By KCRW
Greater LA explores the use and differences in efficacy of prescibed burns in Northern and Southern California.
Fire Safety Information for Residents
By CA Fire Safe Council
The CA Fire Safe Council Fire Safety brochures discuss fire safety information for residents on how to effectively protect their homes from wildfire destruction. This resources reviews key elements of hardening your home and creating defensible space. They are available in English and Spanish.
Landscaping and home design for fire defense
By CA Fire Science Consortium
Discussion on ways to improve the defense of your home from building to landscaping.
Pre- and Post-fire Pollutant Loads in an Urban Fringe Watershed in Southern California
By Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
This study investigates the impacts of wildfire on stormwater contaminant loading from the upper Arroyo Seco watershed, burned in 2009.
Ready, Set, GO! - Los Angeles County
By County of Los Angeles Fire Department
The Ready! Set! Go! resource kit helps prepare homeowners confidently and reasonably prepare and protect their homes from a potentially destructive wildfire.
S.A.F.E. Landscapes
By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
SAFE (Sustainable And Fire SafE) Landscapes provides guidelines for creating and maintaining fire-safe, environmentally friendly landscapes in the wildland-urban interface.
Smoke Ready Toolbox for Wildfires
By U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This comprehensive Smoke-Ready Toolbox can help communities educate themselves about the risks of smoke exposure, current air quality levels in their area, and actions they can take to protect their health.
Sustainable Defensible Space
By The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
This SMMNRA resource offers solutions to improve resilience and resource conservation values, and resistance of structures to wildfire loss for developed properties in the SMMNRA by improving management by homeowners of their defensible space zone.
Thought Leadership Series: Reducing California's Fire Risk 2021
By US Green Building Council - Los Angeles
The USGBCLA online conference joins fire scientists, firefighters and fire safe councils, forest management professionals, environmental advocates, and others to address wildfire resilience across California. Virtual tours, interviews, expert panelists, and keynotes from community leaders address the issues from a community and building level and conclude with networking and meeting space for fire-safe councils throughout the state.
Why wildfires have gotten worse -- and what we can do about it
By Wall Street Journal
Global satellite data indicate wildfires are becoming bigger and more intense. WSJ talks with NASA’s Doug Morton to understand the science behind what’s making the planet more flammable and making fires harder to control. Noah Berger/Associated Press
Wildfire Insurance 101: What Practitioners and Policy Owners Need to Know
By Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
This useful resource aids Fire Adaptive Community Practitioners and wildfire insurance policyholders through vital information about wildfire insurance. It discusses common misconceptions about these policies and reviews crucial financial literacy and preparedness when faced with a natural disaster.
Wildfire Recovery Graphic
By Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
This wildfire recovery graphic was developed by FAC Net practitioners to address the diversity of community and landscape needs after wildfire and to provide a common framework for post-fire discussions. The graphic, by practitioners and for practitioners, integrates experiential knowledge from diverse communities, ecosystems, and perspectives. This graphic is available in English and Spanish.
Wildfire Statistics and Events
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
These statistics are tracked on a weekly basis and provide a snapshot of the number of fires and acres burned. These are preliminary numbers taken from CalFire's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and the national Incident Management Situation Report, and will likely change as dispatched wildfires may end up being other types of fires, false alarms or as more accurate information is provided. These numbers are subject to change until the final fire season reports are completed and tabulated.
