Fire Management

Joint U.S. Navy and Cabrillo National Monument Wildland Fire Management Plan

Superintendent Terry DiMattio has announced the release of the Naval Base Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument Joint Wildland Fire Management Plan (JWFMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA). The purpose of the JWFMP is to protect personnel, facilities, and natural and cultural resources from the impacts of wildland fire; prioritize assets to be protected in the event of a fire; ensure the perpetuation of native terrestrial habitats, fire-adapted plant communities, and rare species; and minimize the total cost of fire pre-suppression and suppression on lands owned by the United States Navy and National Park Service (NPS) on Point Loma.

Purpose and Development

The JWFMP, developed collaboratively over several years by the NPS and Navy, is the first of its kind for Point Loma. It will guide wildland fire management at Cabrillo National Monument and Naval Base Point Loma for the next five years. As the largest landowners within the Federal reservation on Point Loma, the NPS and Navy have significant vegetation that could burn in a wildfire. Federal wildland fire policy mandates that they prepare a fire management plan to address this risk.

Key Objectives

Superintendent DiMattio outlined the proposed approach for the JWFMP, emphasizing a straightforward strategy:

1. Fire Suppression: “Suppress all wildland fires as soon as possible regardless of whether they were caused by humans or nature.”

2. Structure Protection: “Protect structures through the use of fire-safe building materials and the creation of survivable space around each building that cannot afford to be lost.”

3. Fuel Modification Zones: “Create fuel modification zones along public roads by removing exotic species and trimming native species to reduce the likelihood of accidental ignitions.”

4. Research Burns: “Conduct four, small scale (30m x 30m) research burns at Cabrillo NM to ascertain the effect of fire on maritime succulent scrub and southern maritime chaparral habitats after decades of not having been burned, identify plants that may have been lost due to the lack of fire, and evaluate the options for achieving ecological goals and managing native species.”

Significance

The implementation of the JWFMP is a critical step in protecting both human and natural resources on Point Loma. By adopting proactive measures and conducting research burns, the plan aims to enhance the resilience of the ecosystem, support the survival of fire-dependent species, and ensure the safety of facilities and personnel. The collaborative effort between the NPS and Navy underscores the importance of joint management in addressing wildland fire risks and achieving long-term conservation and safety goals.

The release of the Joint Wildland Fire Management Plan marks a significant milestone in the stewardship of Cabrillo National Monument and Naval Base Point Loma. With its comprehensive approach to fire management, the JWFMP sets a clear path for protecting valuable assets and promoting ecological health in the face of wildland fire threats.