what fuels wildfires?. what fuels so cal wildfires?
TRANSCRIPT
What Fuels Wildfires?
What fuels So Cal wildfires?
California Chaparral Ecosystem
Coastal woodlands and grasslands of So Cal have precipitation of 12 to 40 inches per year
Climate is hot and dry in summer, rainy and mild in winter
Plants have adapted by conserving water, have small, waxy leaves
Coastal woodlands and grasslands of So Cal have precipitation of 12 to 40 inches per year
Climate is hot and dry in summer, rainy and mild in winter
Plants have adapted by conserving water, have small, waxy leaves
California Scrub Oak
The name of the chaparral ecosystem was derived from the Spanish word for scrub oak, chaparro
This is a small evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubby oak, which may be small and compact, or grow several meters high, depending on terrain and local conditions
Its acorns were an important Native American food source
The name of the chaparral ecosystem was derived from the Spanish word for scrub oak, chaparro
This is a small evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubby oak, which may be small and compact, or grow several meters high, depending on terrain and local conditions
Its acorns were an important Native American food source
Fire-prone plant community
Chaparral is fire-prone
The plants produce volatile oils that help them to retain moisture, but evaporate when the weather turns hot
Escaping gases form a cloud above shrubs that explodes when touched by flame, flying embers
Chaparral is fire-prone
The plants produce volatile oils that help them to retain moisture, but evaporate when the weather turns hot
Escaping gases form a cloud above shrubs that explodes when touched by flame, flying embers
Santa Ana Winds
Winter rains bring a flush of new growth in chaparral
When the plants dry out in the summer and fall,
Lightening, arson or human carelessness may spark fire
Santa Ana winds can move a wildfire at speed of 40 miles (60 km) per day
Dense clouds of burning embers can blow across firebreaks, spreading fire
Winter rains bring a flush of new growth in chaparral
When the plants dry out in the summer and fall,
Lightening, arson or human carelessness may spark fire
Santa Ana winds can move a wildfire at speed of 40 miles (60 km) per day
Dense clouds of burning embers can blow across firebreaks, spreading fire
Danger to Houses
Housing developments have been built amidst chaparral-cloaked hills
Fire danger has risen with population growth
Probability of accidental fires grows as more people come to live in chaparral ecosystem
Housing developments have been built amidst chaparral-cloaked hills
Fire danger has risen with population growth
Probability of accidental fires grows as more people come to live in chaparral ecosystem
Land Use Planning Needed
Landscape with average of 45 humans per square kilometer is most prone to burn
Lower density has less human activity
Higher density leaves less wild land to burn
As CA population grows, planning will be needed
Landscape with average of 45 humans per square kilometer is most prone to burn
Lower density has less human activity
Higher density leaves less wild land to burn
As CA population grows, planning will be needed