Urban Wildland Fire (Pebble Beach, CA - May 1987) » Historical and Environmental Considerations

Historical records indicate that fires have previously occurred in this area of the Del Monte Forest. The last fire in the area was in June of 1959 and burned 62 acres but did not destroy any homes. It began in a remote brushy canyon and spread over the Pacific Grove/Carmel Highway now known as Highway 68 or the Holman Highway. The fire was stopped by approximately 300 firefighters.

Back in 1924 a fire burned 100 acres in this area and a fire in 1904 burned approximately 2,000 acres. No homes were destroyed in either of these fires.

The history suggests that the question is not if a fire will occur but when it will occur in this forested area. Certainly the area is along the Pacific coast and is normally in a high moisture and a high fuel moisture area. However, certain weather factors coupled with the high fuel loading create periods when major fires can occur in the area.

Environmentally, the area is noted for rare plants that grow in unique combinations. The S.F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve was dedicated in 1971 as a means of perpetuating them. The Del Monte Forest is one of only two locations containing native stands of the rare Gowen Cypress. Other rare plants in the area include certain species of Monterey Pines and Bishop Pines.

Fire was a natural element in the original environment of the area. Today, however, the environmental issues have drastically changed. Residents of the area like the natural areas around their homes. The natural setting of the forest combined with the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean add to the overall aesthetics of the area. Natural vegetation near and around homes is considered part of the aesthetics, as are wood shingle or shake roofs. An attempt is made to maintain as natural an environment as possible around the homes.

Prior to the fire, local officials felt that any attempt at fuels management would probably have met with stiff resistance from local residents. Certainly, fuels management such as prescribed burning would have met with resistance not only from the standpoint of the fire itself, but from air quality considerations. Fuels management would have been very advantageous, but given the environmental consideration and the probable response of local residents, it would would not have been feasible.

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