<font color=blue>INDUSTRY BUZZ</font> Learning From San Diego

Regions of San Diego were getting back on their feet last fall after the devastating wildfires rolled through when more destruction fell upon the area. Heavy rains washed away some of the damaged vegetation and caused mudslides, adding to the mess. Lawn & Landscape spoke with Pat Seatter, ValleyCrest Landscape Management branch manager, San Diego, to learn what green industry professionals in that area are up against and what professionals in other regions should take from the disaster.

Lawn & Landscape: How was ValleyCrest involved with the fires before they came through, during and then with the cleanup afterward? Do you focus on one part of the city?
Pat Seatter: The ValleyCrest San Diego region begins in the northern part of San Diego, City of Oceanside (Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton) and extends south to the Mexican border. The wild fires seemed to have engulfed the said corridor along the Pacific Coast. 

L&L: How bad was the damage you’ve come in contact with?
PS: Damage assessments we were involved with varied from minor plant damage to major tree, plant, irrigation and dwelling loss. 

L&L: Were extra crews brought out from different parts of the country to help?
PS: With the combined resources of the ValleyCrest branches in San Diego, no outside assistance has been required.

L&L: What can be done with trees and landscaping that have completely burned?
PS: At this time assessments have been provided, tree clearing/removals have begun, erosion control devices are being installed. Major repairs and/or replacements to scorched/damaged plant materials will execute upon dwelling rebuilding. 

L&L: Is there any chance of the plants going back, or is the plant and soil completely shot? 
PS: Although various tree species will develop new water sprout types of re-growth, the structure and esthetic beauty of the specimen trees have been lost, resulting in complete removals and replacement of large box trees.

L&L: Are you involved in any efforts to revegetate? Realistically, about what percentage of the damaged plants could be replaced? Could anything have been done in any of these areas prior to the fires to prevent some of the destruction?
PS: With the severity of the winds that moved these fires, prevention is extremely difficult. Several homes destroyed in the San Diego County Witch Fire had the required defensible space, however, when homes are perched on tops of heavily vegetated canyons a furnace affect is accumulated forcing uncontrollable heat and flames directly into very combustible objects, wood framed homes.

Brush management surrounding dwelling property perimeter is the best proactive approach in preventing dwelling loss. Property owners should reference their local building and code enforcement laws and regulations for best advice when establishing a brush management plan.

L&L: In recent weeks, after the fires were put out, rain came, leading to mudslides. How difficult is this making your job? Is it true that this would not be such a problem if the trees hadn’t burned?
PS: As much as the state of California needs precipitation, weather forecasts can become particularly uncomfortable for many homeowners residing in wild fire damaged areas. There are several erosion control prevention devices and methods available to assist in prevention of additional property damage. Home and property owners should consult with their local planning and building departments, geological engineers and erosion control installation contractors, for system designs and layout.

Fortunately, the precipitation received to date has been light amounts allowing soil retention and minimum runoff. Many fire damaged hillsides are beginning to show life as a green blanket of vegetation has emerged as a result of the rain received.