The climatic conditions of California vary widely depending on latitude, elevation, and nearness to the coast. Climatic conditions contribute greatly to the wildfires that Californians experience in areas that are within a Mediterranean climate. Mediterranean climates consists of fairly wet winters and dry summers. California’s summers are mainly hot and dry in southern regions of the golden state. Summers are particularly relevant to the commonality of wildfires within the southern portion of the state. Thus, these conditions make Southern California prone to wildfires such as those Los Angeles County experiences (Climate).
As stated before, Southern California is prone to wildfires. Since fires are fitting to this area, Los Angeles County determined portions as fire hazard severity zones. The indicated zones consists mostly of hilly and mountainous terrain. Featured below is a map (titled Fire Hazard Severity Zones) displaying the risky areas within Los Angeles County. Most of the fires within this division are driven by winds and problematic vegetation (Very). Along with warm conditions, the main concern of wildfires is combustible chaparral and brush fuel. Nonetheless, the 2009 Station Fire was not central to the severity zones. The 2009 Station Fire occurred outside of specific haphazardous zones, but as it spread reached the edge of these critical zones. Moreover, the fire was governed by arson, yet vegetation within the specified area played a huge role in the advancement of the fire.
Although native vegetation in Southern California depends on periodic fire for germination, non-native species to California create an unnatural buildup of plant debris. The buildup up from these non-native species alters the frequency and intensity of fires. With respects to Southern California specifically Los Angeles County, wildfire season begins with the arrival of the Santa Ana Winds during October. However, during August the combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and ample tinder-dry fuel caused the 2009 Station Fire. The point of origin was the Angeles National Forest which contained a buildup of plant debris that was up to forty years old. The abundance of tinder-dry fuel as well as the extreme terrain in undeveloped areas allowed for the fire to uncontrollably sweep across the forest floors (Zouhar).
As mentioned before, an abundance of tinder-dry fuel and the extreme terrain in underdeveloped areas supported the rapid growth of the 2009 Station Fire. The region in which the fires spread through is covered by Chaparral which is a term that applies to brushland found in Southern California. Due to the fact that Chaparral flora is adapted to fire, it is the most flammable type of vegetation. Some of this flora contains flammable oils and resins in their leaves which promotes fire (Chaparral). Thus, this area was prone to combustion which is shown on the map titled Surface Fuels of Los Angeles County below. Although live vegetation is significant in fires, the Station Fire Initial Attack Review Report stated that the dead vegetation in that area was extremely volatile and “led to extreme fire behavior.” Moreover, the report indicated that the “percentage of dead vegetation in the area of initial attack ranged from fifty percent to seventy percent” (Kerr, 8). With vegetation conditions such as they were, this area was prone to the extreme fire behavior that occurred on those fateful days.
Another cause of the rapid fire growth was the territory in which it began. The origin of the fire encouraged the roar of the flames because of the excessively steep terrain and limited visibility. The elevation of this area was of great concern and is visible on the last map featured. As noted in the Station Fire Initial Attack Review Report, the steepness of the space caused this blaze to be extremely hostile. The terrain was “rugged and steep” and ground control was less effective in these specific steep regions. On the other hand, regions with an upslope continued to respond to ground control efforts. Although, two lives were lost during the 2009 Station Fire, many homes and lives were saved from the extensive knowledge of the terrain (Kerr, 9-10). Continued data of fire hazardous zones can assist in the maintenance of wildfires on a larger scale than battling the blazes face to face.
This report is based on the 2009 Station Fire. All GIS data has been gathered from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
As stated before, Southern California is prone to wildfires. Since fires are fitting to this area, Los Angeles County determined portions as fire hazard severity zones. The indicated zones consists mostly of hilly and mountainous terrain. Featured below is a map (titled Fire Hazard Severity Zones) displaying the risky areas within Los Angeles County. Most of the fires within this division are driven by winds and problematic vegetation (Very). Along with warm conditions, the main concern of wildfires is combustible chaparral and brush fuel. Nonetheless, the 2009 Station Fire was not central to the severity zones. The 2009 Station Fire occurred outside of specific haphazardous zones, but as it spread reached the edge of these critical zones. Moreover, the fire was governed by arson, yet vegetation within the specified area played a huge role in the advancement of the fire.
Although native vegetation in Southern California depends on periodic fire for germination, non-native species to California create an unnatural buildup of plant debris. The buildup up from these non-native species alters the frequency and intensity of fires. With respects to Southern California specifically Los Angeles County, wildfire season begins with the arrival of the Santa Ana Winds during October. However, during August the combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and ample tinder-dry fuel caused the 2009 Station Fire. The point of origin was the Angeles National Forest which contained a buildup of plant debris that was up to forty years old. The abundance of tinder-dry fuel as well as the extreme terrain in undeveloped areas allowed for the fire to uncontrollably sweep across the forest floors (Zouhar).
As mentioned before, an abundance of tinder-dry fuel and the extreme terrain in underdeveloped areas supported the rapid growth of the 2009 Station Fire. The region in which the fires spread through is covered by Chaparral which is a term that applies to brushland found in Southern California. Due to the fact that Chaparral flora is adapted to fire, it is the most flammable type of vegetation. Some of this flora contains flammable oils and resins in their leaves which promotes fire (Chaparral). Thus, this area was prone to combustion which is shown on the map titled Surface Fuels of Los Angeles County below. Although live vegetation is significant in fires, the Station Fire Initial Attack Review Report stated that the dead vegetation in that area was extremely volatile and “led to extreme fire behavior.” Moreover, the report indicated that the “percentage of dead vegetation in the area of initial attack ranged from fifty percent to seventy percent” (Kerr, 8). With vegetation conditions such as they were, this area was prone to the extreme fire behavior that occurred on those fateful days.
Another cause of the rapid fire growth was the territory in which it began. The origin of the fire encouraged the roar of the flames because of the excessively steep terrain and limited visibility. The elevation of this area was of great concern and is visible on the last map featured. As noted in the Station Fire Initial Attack Review Report, the steepness of the space caused this blaze to be extremely hostile. The terrain was “rugged and steep” and ground control was less effective in these specific steep regions. On the other hand, regions with an upslope continued to respond to ground control efforts. Although, two lives were lost during the 2009 Station Fire, many homes and lives were saved from the extensive knowledge of the terrain (Kerr, 9-10). Continued data of fire hazardous zones can assist in the maintenance of wildfires on a larger scale than battling the blazes face to face.
This report is based on the 2009 Station Fire. All GIS data has been gathered from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Works Cited
“Chaparral: California and Southwestern U.S..” Chaparral Ecology Web. mcdaniel.edu, 2010. Web 10 December 2012.
“Climate of California.” Western Regional Climate Center. Western Regional Climate Center, 2012. Web. 10 December 2012.
Kerr, David; Thomas, John; Conklin, David; Noiron, Jody. “Fire and Aviation Management: Station Fire Initial Attack Review.” United States Department of Agriculture: Forest Service. USDA, 2009. Web. 10 December 2012.
Siegel, Daniel. “Fire risk remains high in Angeles National Forest.” lacanadaonline.com. La Canada Valley Sun, 5 September 2012. Web. 10 December 2012.
“Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.” lafd.org. Los Angeles Fire Department, 2007. Web. 10 December 2012.
Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L. “Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants.” Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2008. Web. 10 December 2012.
