to the editor: I was saddened to learn that attorneys representing Palisades fire victims are accusing California State Parks of putting “plants on people” (“Palisades Fire Victims Claim State Park Official Restricted Efforts to Fight Previous Fire”. November 19). This accusation sets up a false dichotomy between choosing to care about plants. either people.
Plants and people share the Southern California environment and help each other as part of an interdependent system. Plants provide clean air, aesthetic value, food and other benefits to people. Many non-native invasive plants provide easily flammable fuel for fires, while native species maintain significant moisture content during the dry season. People help native plants by removing invasive species. Caring for native plant communities should be included as a key part of fire safety.
I am a plant ecologist who studies how plant communities respond to the impacts of global change, such as increasingly frequent fires. As a Southern California resident, I have also been directly affected by the wildfires. Native plants in well-maintained fuel modification zones can be an important part of fire reduction by slowing the spread of embers as they travel toward homes. native oaks have fire resistant bark and promote cooler, more humid microclimates. People and plants can work in partnership to promote a healthy relationship with wildfires.
Sara Kimball, Costa Mesa
