Brush Fire Raises Concern for Native Habitats in RPV

Brush fires like the one that occurred in Rancho Palos Verdes Monday night are a cause for concern among local land conservancy officials as they work to prevent the loss of native habitats in the damaged landscape.

The was located in an area of the Three Sisters Reserve and in a part of McCarrell Canyon. A 21-acre habitat restoration project is located on Three Sisters Reserve, a 99-acre parcel located in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve between McCarrell Canyon to the west and Barkentine Canyon to the east.

While the restoration area was mostly unaffected by the fire, officials said damage to the landscape could lead to the loss of native habitat to invasive species.

"The frequency of fires in the open space lands in Rancho Palos Verdes is a concern," Conservancy Executive Director Andrea Vona said in a statement. "We hope the landscape can withstand the pressure and we are looking at the opportunity to be proactive and fill in the burned area to prevent the loss of native habitat to invasive species.”

The conservancy is the habitat manager for the preserve property.

The preserve is "one of the best remaining locations for coastal sage scrub habitat" in the South Bay, in addition to being a home to rare local species, according to a conservancy press release. 

During a visit to the restoration area , Conservation Director Danielle LeFer said a large stand of mature cactus was destroyed, though portions of the fire "did not seem to burn very hot" and some bushes and cactus were protected.

The conservancy will next map the boundary of the fire area and assess overall impacts to vegetation and trails.

Monday night's fire was reported about 7 p.m. in the 6000 block of Chartres Drive, according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher.

No homes were threatened and no evacuations were reported.

About 100 firefighters and three helicopters were used to battle the blaze, according to the fire department.