Chaparral:

1. A California plant community, consisting of diverse shrubs, mostly with hard leaves and stiff branches. Chaparral is adapted to poor soils, heat, cold, drought, and periodic burning. The name is derived from the Spanish root word "chapo," meaning short, stubby. Thick stands of chaparral are virtually impenetrable.

2. A place to avoid, for your own safety, when fire or fire conditions are present.

We have seen a dramatic story unfold before our very eyes October 22-27, 2007.

Desperate and frustrated, so many would like to somehow assign blame. We have seen the burning bush and by God, it was consumed. There you have it. Case dismissed; the shrub lands of interior California must be found guilty as charged: FLAMMABLE.

But wait! Besides fuel, fire needs favorable conditions and a heat source (ignition). Remember, the recent wild land fires did not actually start in the chaparral. They started in the downed power line, the failed transformer, the home kitchen; the hunter's flare, the careless camper, the arsonist's match. The fires quickly spread to the plants at hand and immediately grew out of control in an extraordinary situation: high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds.

The extremely dry conditions, susceptible fuel loads, and timely ignition sources all combined to make very destructive fires. The 2007 scenario can be likened to a "perfect storm". We had the strongest Santa Ana winds we have seen in a long time. The vegetation was old, tinder-dry, and vulnerable at the end of the driest year on record. And we have seen three decades of suburban sprawl steadily creep into the dry hill-lands of southern California.

Not only did this "regional growth" put thousands of families and structures in harm's way, but it made ignition more probable: additional power lines, more people and the possibility for their careless mistakes, and new roads conveniently providing an arsonist access to the hinterlands. Greater loss.

We have thrown caution to the wind.

So where do we go from here?

First, we offer our sincere condolences to those who suffered damage. We know how you feel. Watching everything burn up is a tough pill to swallow. We've been there.

Next, these 2007 fires are not the first, nor are they the last to visit our region. We must educate ourselves and add our voice to the growing debate about causes and solutions. We must do so with an emphasis on protecting the environment, especially our scarce, high-quality endangered habitats. Blaming the chaparral will not keep future fires away. We should oppose any attempt to transform the natural landscape in the name of "fire safety." This would only result in colossal failure and cause irreparable damage.

Lastly, stay safe in the wind and keep in touch. Take a clue from the chaparral plant community. It can be renewed after fire... you know the phrase, "beauty from ashes." Go help someone who needs help right now. And, oh yeah... let's hope it rains again.

For more information and Fire Resources we've gathered please click here. Or see the Blog Post Titled: "Firestorm 2007 - Resources"