Catalina Island’s native plants do more than just look pretty, they create a system for a fire-resilient landscape. No plant is fireproof, but native plants serve as the best line of defense against invasive grasses, prolonged drought and rising temperatures.

Research shows that ecosystems dominated by native plants are more fire-resistant than those overrun by invasive species. Here’s why:

• Moisture Retention – Native plants such as island scrub oak, California lilacs and Catalina cherry retain significantly more moisture than invasive grasses, making them less likely to ignite.
• Natural Gaps Between Plants – Native plants tend to grow in patterns that naturally break up fire spread, unlike invasive grasses that form dense, continuous fuel across wide areas.
• Post-fire Recovery – Many native species are adapted to periodic fire and can regenerate. In contrast, invasive species often dominate burned areas, increasing the likelihood of more frequent and intense future fires.

Recent wildfires, such as those in Palisades and Altadena on the mainland, serve as a stark reminder of how quickly wind-driven fires can escalate in dry and steep terrain. It is now estimated that 35% of Catalina Island is now covered in invasive, flammable grass, creating the risk of a fire cycle.

To understand how it works, think of it as a bad habit: the more it happens, the harder it is to break. After a fire, invasives grow back fast, like weeds in a garden, crowding out the slower-growing native plants. These invasives are dangerously flammable, so they make it easier for the next fire to spread. That fire clears the way for even more invasives to take over. This cycle is called a positive feedback loop. It feeds itself, making it harder and harder to stop over time.

The Catalina Island Restoration Project is designed to address this growing threat. By removing invasive grasses, restoring native plant communities and supporting long-term ecosystem health, the project will help reduce fire risk across the island. Next week, we’ll explore how the restoration project is being put into action and how it’s laying the groundwork for a more fire-resilient Catalina.