Adopting a natural landscape approach may be critical for making Los Angeles less susceptible to fires, according to these landscape architects.
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Let's face it, we're living in a world of extremes, according to California's governor, Gavin Newsom. After the devastating Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires that razed parts of Los Angeles, he issued an executive order aimed at fortifying communities against urban wildfires.
The new plan, nicknamed 'Zone 0,' is all about creating a 5-foot buffer zone around high-risk structures in fire-prone areas. But some in the landscape architecture community see this as a bit narrow-minded. Architect Greg Kochanowski, principal of Practice, argues that vegetation can be a friend, not a foe, in a fire-prone environment.
"A clear zone is shortsighted," Kochanowski says. "It shows a lack of understanding that well-watered, healthy vegetation isn't typically flammable."
Kochanowski, who lost his home in the Woolsey Fire, is a pupil of fire-adaptive landscapes. He believes that arid, rocky landscapes might be suitable for hotter climates, but LA, contrary to popular belief, isn't a desert. Instead, it's a Coastal Sage Chaparral ecosystem. While it can be vulnerable during dry seasons, fire is a natural part of the ecosystem, and many shrubs and plants can regenerate after burns.
In response to the recent fires, landscape studio Terremoto issued a set of guidelines that oppose the stripping away of vegetation. They believe in focusing on human, soil, vegetal, and structural resiliencies for long-term solutions, as well as support for emotional and psychological care within an environmentally indeterminate future.
Landscape designer Danielle VonLehe, who evacuated during the Eaton Fire, is thinking about disaster-resilient gardens, including regenerative 'shrubscapes' that can be easily managed and sculptural features that might convert to emergency mitigation systems with the addition of a hose or sprinkler. The office is also considering ways in which gardens could help with long-term soil remediation, as toxins and heavy metals often remain after clean-up.
Matthew Burrows and Heather Praun, owners of Plant Material, lost both their home and their Altadena outpost in the fires. They're applying for grants to help their neighbors cultivate future gardens. For Burrows and Praun, it's about finding ways to provide their neighbors with the resources they need, not dictating what they should be doing.
In the end, promoting fire-resistant and environmentally friendly landscaping solutions in LA involves a balance between safety and sustainability, as well as community education, collaboration with local authorities, and support for local businesses specializing in firewise landscaping. By combining these strategies, we can not only mitigate wildfire risks but also enhance the city's natural beauty and resilience.
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[1] "Firewise Communities: A Homeowner's Guide to Protecting Your Home from Wildfire." National Fire Protection Association. (n.d.). URL: https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/files/p-1300-firewise-communities-a-homeowner-s-guide-to-protecting-your-home-from-wildfire-091318.ashx
[2] "Landscaping for Fire Safety." University of California Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County. (n.d.). URL: https://cesanneville.ucanr.edu/blog/2020/03/31/landscaping-for-fire-safety/
[3] "California Urban Forests: Understanding the Value of Trees." California ReLeaf. (n.d.). URL: https://www.calurbanforests.org/
[4] "Sustainable Landscape Design." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). URL: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/sustainable-landscape-design
[5] "Firewise LA." LA Conservation Corp. (n.d.). URL: https://laconservationcorp.org/firewise-la/
- Understanding the role of vegetation in fire-prone environments is crucial for sustainable living, as emerging research in environmental science suggests that well-watered, healthy vegetation can act as a natural fire barrier, rather than a contributor to wildfires.
- The practice of sustainable living extends beyond home and garden to encompass all aspects of one's lifestyle, including adopting fire-resistant landscaping solutions that not only mitigate wildfire risks but also contribute to the city's natural beauty and ecosystem health.
- In light of the ongoing climate-change crisis and the increasing frequency of urban wildfires, it is essential to embrace holistic, long-term approaches in landscape design, focusing on human, soil, vegetal, and structural resiliencies, as well as fostering community education, collaboration with local authorities, and support for businesses specializing in firewise landscaping.
