[Scpg] Fire control, green orchard belts

[LBUZZELL at aol.com]

Hi Geoff,
 
I wonder if controlled burns are really cheaper in the long run than  
water-thrifty orcharding?  There are costs involved with regular burning --  fire 
personnel and sometimes even chemicals too.  And what is the  "yield"?  A lot of 
lung-unfriendly smoke and ash.  
 
I'm guessing you may not be convinced that water-thrifty orcharding is a  
real possibility, but I assure you it is!  Shaping the land to retain  water, 
opening the soil with non-destructive keyline plowing, using edible,  deep-rooted 
underplantings and living mulches, harvesting all available  water in various 
ways -- these techniques all help the soil absorb water  deeply during rain 
season. This is all being done now both locally and in other  locations and can 
be done more widely here in Santa Barbara.  And what is  the "yield" of an 
orchard belt to the citizens of Santa Barbara? A secure food  supply, beauty, 
climate mitigation, erosion control, fire protection, bee  nectar and more...
 
I think as we reshape our economies towards sustainability we're going to  
need to adjust our interpretation of costs and profit.  Truly sustainable  
solutions are often slower and gentler than the "solutions" we've been  using 
without counting their true costs and genuine yields.
 
It's great that we're having this discussion of possible solutions for  such 
important local challenges as fire danger and water shortages!
 
Linda  
 
 
In a message dated 2/24/2009 8:02:17 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, Avoman202  
writes:

Hi Linda 
Intresting  idea....but with scarce water and all the other things  to manage 
an  orchard  I find it not practical..
Having lived  with the brush  since 1974 and being burnt in the Egale canyon 
Fire in 1979. Im convinced that  controled burns are the way to go.... cheap 
and usually safe... The type of  brush we have here mostly burl sprouts and is 
very effective in holding the  hillsides during rainstorms...
Part of the problem is that people have gone  higher and higher into the 
hills.. and also want privacy...so the houses are  mostly surrounded by flamable 
plants and trees,,,,A controlled burn ever 5  years  or so would go a long way 
to making safe areas and blocks to  fire;s.. because no matter what you plan 
fires happen in So Cal when the Santa  winds blow.
thats my 2 cents  Thanks geoff Bloomingdale



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