Most start with just a spark.
A discarded cigarette, unattended campfire or equipment malfunction can start a fire.
Humans start nearly 90% of wildfires in the United States, with power lines and arson as leading causes in California.
Open space areas bordering urban development — like Bommer Canyon, where a restoration project aimed at preventing wildfires is underway – are especially susceptible to burning.
Restoration efforts – which began in August 2023 – include planting and watering 9,000 container plants across sixteen native species.
The project was funded by a $1 million dollar grant provided by the California Natural Resources Agency to the City of Irvine, with support by California State Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris.The goal of restoration in Bommer Canyon is to reduce the risk of wildfire by replacing invasive plants – like Black Mustard, and other species that present a fire risk to surrounding neighborhoods and wildlife – with native plants.
The final phase of the project will conclude in March 2026, but IRC will continue to manage the site on behalf of the city for five additional years.
The project aims to create natural fire breaks, should a fire ignite.
Willow and Mulefat shrubs planted by IRC along a drainageway in the meadow create a naturally damp environment, which would reduce the spread of a potential wildfire – especially during high wind events.
Orange County has made strides in wildfire preparedness, but expanding urban-wildlife borders present a challenge for prevention, according to OC Fire Authority Captain Greg Barta.
“Irvine and Orange County are among the better-prepared regions in California for wildfires, but the increasing frequency and intensity of fires mean that no area is truly “fireproof,’” said Barta.
“Continuous adaptation—through stricter building codes, enhanced technology, and resident preparedness—is key.”
The Irvine Open Space Preserve — which includes Bommer Canyon, Orchard Hills and Quail Hill — has nearly 30 miles of trails, including a paved bikeway.
The open space area connects with Crystal Cove State Park and the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, allowing animals such as coyotes to migrate from the mountains to the coast.
[Read: Traveling Through the Irvine-Laguna Wildlife Corridor]
From the late 1800s to the 1970s, the area served as the center of the Irvine Company’s cattle operations. The City of Irvine purchased the canyon from the Irvine Company in the 80s.
Bommer Canyon was preserved as a National Natural Landmark in the 90s alongside roughly 40,000 acres of open space known as the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.
The ongoing restoration will not impact the public’s access to Bommer Canyon for recreational activities, according to IRC.
Some areas of the preserve can only be accessed on guided activities such as trail running, distance hikes and monarch butterfly stewardship.
Several trails are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to sunset, including the trail adjacent to the restoration site — Bommer Meadow.
Erika Taylor is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow and photojournalist. You can find her on Instagram @camerakeepsrolling or email at etaylor@voiceofoc.org