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The History of Central Coast Wildfires
Climate has to be the backdrop of any history of wildfire in California. California's Mediterranean climate produces long,
hot, dry summers every year. These mini-droughts are often made worse by heat waves in the summer, and north or
east (Santa Ana) winds in the fall and winter. Without this climate and weather, wildfire would be a footnote in California
history, and perhaps the state would have a major fire every 150 years. However, California has the potential for
serious fires every year, and so has a continuing history of wildfire.
hot, dry summers every year. These mini-droughts are often made worse by heat waves in the summer, and north or
east (Santa Ana) winds in the fall and winter. Without this climate and weather, wildfire would be a footnote in California
history, and perhaps the state would have a major fire every 150 years. However, California has the potential for
serious fires every year, and so has a continuing history of wildfire.
Fire was an important part of the daily life of native Californians, and they used it for many specific purposes. The
Chumash saw fire as a good force in nature. Whenever a brush fire came, the next year the plants and animals would
be stronger and more plentiful than before. People would be less hungry in the next winter time. The Chumash were
good farmers and grew chia sage, Californian tobacco, red maids, fire poppies and possibly other plants. Every year,
they burned their fields in order to have a good harvest the next year. Early Spanish explorers and missionaries also
documented the use of fire by Native Americans using fire to clear areas for the germination of oaks, for the production
of acorns, and to create and maintain grasslands for hunting.
It’s difficult to say how extensive native burning was in California wildlands, but we do know the Spanish tried to prohibit
native burning in1793.
Chumash saw fire as a good force in nature. Whenever a brush fire came, the next year the plants and animals would
be stronger and more plentiful than before. People would be less hungry in the next winter time. The Chumash were
good farmers and grew chia sage, Californian tobacco, red maids, fire poppies and possibly other plants. Every year,
they burned their fields in order to have a good harvest the next year. Early Spanish explorers and missionaries also
documented the use of fire by Native Americans using fire to clear areas for the germination of oaks, for the production
of acorns, and to create and maintain grasslands for hunting.
It’s difficult to say how extensive native burning was in California wildlands, but we do know the Spanish tried to prohibit
native burning in1793.
Later, European settlers used fire to clear brush so land could be used for agricultural purposes.
The most catastrophic burns in recent local history happened in the Indian summer months. The Kirk Complex fire (a
complex being a series of fires that blend or receive one coordinated response) torched 87,000 acres of Los Padres in
September and October 1999. The Rat Gorda Complex claimed 85,000 acres in July of 1985. Marble Cone incinerated
176,000 acres in August of 1977.
complex being a series of fires that blend or receive one coordinated response) torched 87,000 acres of Los Padres in
September and October 1999. The Rat Gorda Complex claimed 85,000 acres in July of 1985. Marble Cone incinerated
176,000 acres in August of 1977.
The Marble-Cone Fire was a wildland fire which burned for three weeks in August, 1977 in the Big Sur high country. By
the time it was extinguished, it had burned about 178,000 acres (720 km²)[1] in the Santa Lucia Mountains, known as
the Ventana Wilderness, making it the largest wildfire in recorded California history at that time. The fire burned 90% of
the vegetation cover in the upper Big Sur River watershed.
the time it was extinguished, it had burned about 178,000 acres (720 km²)[1] in the Santa Lucia Mountains, known as
the Ventana Wilderness, making it the largest wildfire in recorded California history at that time. The fire burned 90% of
the vegetation cover in the upper Big Sur River watershed.
Wildland vegetation burns. It burns periodically, and must burn in order to survive. In much of California, the problem is
not so much the fact that it burns but that all too many people chose to build within it, surrounded by what many
consider to be a sea of gasoline. A combination of ignorance and several million years of evolution have combined to
create a deadly situation along the serene and scenic battlefront commonly referred to as the 'wildland/urban interface'.
The situation has been worsened by over a hundred years of fire suppression where man has tried to control nature,
usually with disastrous results.
not so much the fact that it burns but that all too many people chose to build within it, surrounded by what many
consider to be a sea of gasoline. A combination of ignorance and several million years of evolution have combined to
create a deadly situation along the serene and scenic battlefront commonly referred to as the 'wildland/urban interface'.
The situation has been worsened by over a hundred years of fire suppression where man has tried to control nature,
usually with disastrous results.