Fires have always been part of life in the Santa Monica Mountains, but in recent decades, they’ve exploded in frequency and ferocity due to human influence.
Experts note that the hills above Malibu are locked in a dangerous feedback loop caused by invasive species, parched conditions, and frequent wildfires, necessitating significant intervention.
The frequent fires are choking out native vegetation, which in turn opens more land for invasive grassy species that provide ample fuel for future blazes.
California State Parks and the National Park Service propose that reintroducing the coast live oak, a native keystone species, could help restore balance in the ecosystem.
Collection
[
|
...
]