Southern California's ecosystems evolved to survive fire. But not like this

The combination of too-frequent wildfires and drought amplified by climate change poses a growing threat to wildlands that deliver drinking water to millions.

Conservationist John Muir celebrated them as Mother Nature at her 'most ruggedly, thornily savage.' They evolved along with long, hot summers and intense wildfires.

In the last 22 years, three wildfires have swept across the area, all but erasing the cover of gray-green sage scrub documented in 1930s aerial photographs.

Burn maps show the astonishing extent of the wildfires that have seared the southern portion of the Los Padres forest and adjacent lands.

Read at Los Angeles Times