Ornamental landscaping fuels California wildfires

Many homes in the moneyed hills of Montecito and other communities along the southern Santa Barbara County coast are lined with lush ornamental vegetation intended to increase privacy for those living in the homes.

But this type of lush landscaping is also posing a fire risk as the massive Thomas fire swept into the area this week.

Firefighters have so far been able to keep the flames out of the major population centers along the coast. But the conditions on the ground — heavy vegetation, narrow winding roads, steep terrain and homes in close proximity to each other — create a dangerous situation.

"There is a huge risk right now. We have live fire, and a lot of fire, on that front country," said Santa Barbara City Fire Department spokeswoman Amber Anderson. "The potential for it to push down into urbanized areas is huge."

Towering eucalyptus trees, whose sap and bark are highly flammable, can be found in the area, Anderson said.

Juniper trees, California pepper trees, and pine trees are also common in the Montecito area. All are flammable.

Read more from the LA Times here.

And, check out this story from L&L featuring some fire abatement and defensible landscape tips.