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Summary of Fire Concerns Based on fire scars in oaks, species composition and the interview with Mr. Brovelli, it seems reasonable to assume that fires are a relatively common feature of Buckeye Ranch and have occurred several times in the recent past. The fire scar in the valley oak pinpoints one fire to 1939 and Mr. Brovelli indicates another conflagration occurred sometime in the 1960s. The role of fire in the ecology of the native species cannot be fully understood from this limited information base. However, based on topography, climate, and vegetation, it seems reasonable to infer that fires are often associated with human ignition sources. Due to the climate and vegetation of the Ranch, grassland and savanna fires will continue to occur and threaten lives and property. Management techniques such as disking, mowing, herbicide spraying, and livestock grazing are commonly used to reduce grass fire hazards. Forest fires are less problematic since no homes will be built within the woods. Forest fires however, can ignite grassland and savanna fires. Threats of an offsite fire moving onto the Ranch are minimal at this time since neighboring parcels are used for irrigated pasture, which remain moist, or for vineyards, which are kept weed free. The two centralized lakes also serve as fire breaks and potential water sources. Once the Ranch is developed, the irrigated portion of the golf course, roads, and full lakebeds will further reduce onsite hazards. However, fire hazard reduction will continue to be a major land management concern. Fuels management techniques can be evaluated by the degree to which they negatively influence native vegetation, wildlife, and other environmental values. Fuels management practices will be selected which minimize negative impacts on other wildland values. Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) 65