Wildfire Recovery

(November 2024) The Mountain Fire, which ignited on November 6, 2024, in Ventura County, California, burned approximately 19,904 acres and is now fully contained.

In the aftermath of such wildfires, land managers often consider strategies like seeding or allowing natural regeneration to restore vegetation. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and various studies provide insights into these approaches, particularly within chaparral ecosystems like those affected by the Mountain Fire. Below is a summary of the references provided by CNPS for Seeding vs. Natural Regeneration in the FIRE RECOVERY GUIDE (released 2019).
 

Summary: Post-Fire Vegetation Management and Seeding Considerations
 

Seeding vs. Natural Regeneration

  • Barro and Conard (1987) caution against the use of non-native species like ryegrass for emergency revegetation in chaparral ecosystems, as it can suppress native regeneration and alter fire behavior in future events.

  • Keeley (1994, 1995, 2006) emphasizes that post-fire seeding often provides minimal erosion control and can inhibit the natural recovery of native plants. In particular, post-fire recovery in chaparral and other California ecosystems often depends on native species adapted to fire cycles.

  • The CNPS (1995) advocates for natural regeneration over seeding unless exceptional circumstances demand otherwise. Native plant communities typically recover without intervention, and non-native seeds can introduce invasive species, disrupting the ecosystem.

Protecting Native Vegetation from Genetic Degradation

  • The CNPS (2001) provides guidelines for landscaping and revegetation that prevent genetic contamination of native populations. This is critical after the Mountain Fire to maintain the genetic integrity of Ventura County's unique native flora.

  • Landis (2010) and Schettler (2010) stress the importance of using local ecotypes in post-fire recovery efforts, ensuring that restoration efforts do not compromise the evolutionary resilience of native species.

Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Firescaping

  • EBMUD (2003) and Kent (2005) highlight the role of fire-resistant landscaping in mitigating fire risks. These strategies can be applied to rebuild fire-impacted properties in Ventura County, incorporating native, drought-tolerant species that resist ignition.

  • Schettler (2010) provides a regional perspective, advocating for fire-resistant designs tailored to California’s Central Coast. These principles can inform Ventura County recovery efforts by emphasizing low-maintenance, native landscaping to reduce fire hazards.

Policy and Practical Guidelines

  • The USDA/NRCS (2017) Hydromulching Fact Sheet outlines methods for post-fire erosion control. This approach may be relevant in areas of the Mountain Fire that face immediate erosion threats, but the application must align with native vegetation restoration goals to prevent invasive species establishment.

  • CNPS (1995, 2010) policies underline that restoration efforts should avoid introducing non-native species and focus on fostering natural regeneration to support long-term ecosystem health.

 

 

Floral Reef Project Recommendations for Ventura County Post-Fire Recovery
  • Prioritize Natural Regeneration: Allow chaparral and other native plant communities to recover naturally, avoiding the use of non-native or invasive seeds.
  • Use Local Native Plants: If reseeding is essential, use local ecotypes to preserve genetic integrity and ecological resilience. In the Mountain Fire region, Matalija Nursery is an excellent source of native plants, seeds, and consultation for restoration projects.
  • Incorporate Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Rebuild properties with fire-resistant and native species to reduce future fire risks while supporting pollinators and wildlife.
  • Address Erosion with Caution: Where erosion control is necessary, use methods like hydromulching but ensure native plant materials dominate any seed mix.
 

    References (CNPS Fire Recovery Guide pp 85-86)

    • Barro, S.C. and S.G. Conard. 1987. Use of Ryegrass Seeding as an Emergency Revegetation Measure in Chaparral Ecosystems. USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experimental Station. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-102.
    • California Native Plant Society. 1995. Statement of Policy – Seeding after Wildfire. Available at: CNPS Conservation Policies.
    • California Native Plant Society. 2001. Guidelines for Landscaping to Protect Native Vegetation from Genetic Degradation. Available at: CNPS Conservation Policies.
    • East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). 2003. Firescape Landscaping to Reduce Fire Hazard. EBMUD, Oakland, CA.
    • Keeley, J.E. 1994. To Seed or Not to Seed. Wildfire 3:18.
    • Keeley, J.E. 1995. Future of California Floristics and Systematics: Wildfire Threats to the California Flora. Madroño 42:175-179.
    • Keeley, J.E., C.D. Allen, J. Betancourt, G.W. Chong, C.J. Fotheringham, and H.D. Safford. 2006. A 21st Century Perspective on Postfire Seeding. Journal of Forestry. 104(1):1–2.
    • Kent, D. 2005. Firescaping: Creating Fire-Resistant Landscapes, Gardens, and Properties in California’s Diverse Environments. Wilderness Press, Berkeley, CA.
    • Landis, B. 2010. How CNPS Developed a Policy on Native Plants and Fire Safety. Fremontia 38(2):7–15. Available at: Fremontia Issue.
    • Schettler, S. 2010. Fire-Resistant Landscaping: A General Approach and Central Coast Perspective. Fremontia 38(2):46–50. Available at: Fremontia Issue.
    • USDA/NRCS. 2017. Hydromulching Fact Sheet. Available at: Sonoma RCD.

    Photo: Mulholland Highway near Malibu Creek State Park, Feb. 2019, approximately 3 months after the Woolsey Fire (Nov 2108), after seasonal rains. Note the invasive mustard in the foreground (at the edge of the highway), and the thick cover of lupines blooming on the hillside.