Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Studies Native Plant Flammability to Mitigate Wildfire Risk
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is conducting controlled experiments, burning native plants in a combustion chamber, to study their flammability and resilience to wildfires. This research, led by new fire scientist Kristina Fauss, aims to identify species that can help…
Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo, CA, September 20, 2026 —
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is undertaking a scientific initiative focused on understanding the flammability of native plant species as a means to potentially mitigate wildfire risks. Researchers are conducting controlled experiments, burning select native plants within a specialized combustion chamber.
The primary objective of this research is to study the inherent flammability characteristics and the resilience of various native flora to fire. By analyzing these properties, scientists aim to identify species that may be more resistant to ignition or capable of recovering post-fire, thereby contributing to strategies for wildfire risk reduction in the region.
Leading these efforts is Kristina Fauss, the new fire scientist at the garden. Her work is central to the project’s aim of not only reducing wildfire threats but also promoting water conservation and enhancing local biodiversity.
The experiments involve precise measurements and observations within the combustion chamber. The data gathered is intended to build a scientific foundation for land management practices that could favor plant types better suited to the Santa Barbara area’s natural fire cycles and ecological needs. The contractor’s name, specific timelines for the experiments, and the precise outcomes of any individual plant tests were not provided in the summary of the trend.
Story summarized from the original created by Callie Fausey on www.independent.com, see more information here.
