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Fire Recovery & Resilience

Resources | In The News...

We hope this chaotic and stressful time finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Even though the LNU Lightening Complex Fires are becoming more contained day by day - thanks to the incredible efforts of thousands of dedicated firefighters - and while some people are starting to return to their homes, the fires continue to burn and sadly, hundreds still are coping with the loss of their home. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by these events.

We also know that there is a long fire season still ahead of us. The Laguna Foundation has been engaged in several collaborative efforts with public land managers and private landowners to advance planning and projects to make our ecosystems more fire resilient. While none of these current fires are within the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed itself, they are threatening our community and our homes, and impacting our water supply and some of the last remaining coho salmon habitat in Sonoma County. For the last two years, we have been working with our partners to promote fire-resilient ecosystems through our restoration program. Thanks to funding support from the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria, four members of our staff have received the basic wildland fire fighter training necessary to work a prescribed fire. This month, we are supporting the efforts of Fire Forward and its Good Fire Alliance, led by Audubon Canyon Ranch, to assemble a crew of trained volunteer fire fighters to help with "mop up" on the Walbridge Fire.

We have a long way to go in reaching our goal of attaining a fire-adapted community, but fire seasons like this one emphasize how critical and urgent this work is. As we acknowledge the reality of a future of more extreme weather in a changing climate, it is efforts such as these that will create a safer and more resilient landscape, allowing Sonoma County nature - and us humans - to survive and thrive. The rebuilding we are about to undertake will be intense but rewarding. And with your support, we know we will be successful.

Resources


What should you do with your land after a wildfire?
What should a concerned property owner do in its aftermath?

The CNPS Fire Recovery Guide addresses these questions in an easy-to-use booklet, created in response to the widespread Wine Country fires. The Guide is a collaborative effort between CNPS, North Bay partner organizations, and some of the best fire experts in the state. Download a free copy today. Sections include:

  • Frequently asked questions about wildfire in California
  • A post-fire checklist for property owners
  • A decision-flow diagram for post-fire conditions
  • Erosion control recommendations
  • Tips for tree care and landscaping after fire
  • Defensible space updates, and
  • An overview of California’s most fire-prone habitats

oak-seedlingWhich Oaks Will Survive?
A general guideline for determining if a damaged tree should be cut down or saved. Applies primarily to blue oak, interior live oak, and black oak. We suggest using this publication as a guideline only, and to have a professional inspect any trees on your property that you may suspect are damaged.

Oak Identification Guide
A one-page guide to common oaks in Sonoma County.

How to Plant an Oak Tree Seed

Sonoma Resource Conservation District’s Fire Recovery web resources
Includes a Natural Resources Recovery Guide, Best Management Practices for landowners preparing for winter weather, and many other links, many of which have information that is applicable beyond Sonoma County.

University of California Agriculture and Natural Reources, Forest Research and Outreach
More resources from the University of California

California Fire Science Consortium
Includes links to events and webinars, research and publications, data resources, and organizations.

Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
Develops innovates, and uses a network approach to disseminate fire adaptation practices to improve community wildfire resilience.

Make Sure Your Landscaping is Fire-resistant
Blog, University of California Master Gardener, Santa Clara County

Creating Defensible Space
San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council video on maintaining defensible space around one's home.

United States Geological Survey (USGS) California Water Science Center, Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris-Flow Hazards

In the News...


KRCB Radio, April 2018
"Replanting Local Native Plants On Your Property"
Interview with Laguna Foundation Ecological Program Manager, Brent Reed.

News of the North Bay

Mar 11, 2018
Press Democrat, March 7, 2018
“Restoring the Oaks”
By Stephen Nett

 

For more information, contact Brent Reed, Ecological Program Manager
(707) 527-9277 xt. 101 or by email at Brent@LagunaFoundation.org.

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