San Pedro Nature Preserve Plagued by Suspicious Fires
The 100-acre White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro, Los Angeles, is facing a concerning spike in suspicious fires. Over the past month, the Palos Verdes peninsula Land Conservancy, a non-profit that manages the preserve, has reported at least eight instances of arson. While the fires have so far been relatively small and contained to nighttime, residents and officials are deeply worried about the potential for a larger blaze, especially with strong Santa Ana winds predicted for the coming week.
“What people are lighting on fire,” explained Adrienne Mohan, executive Director of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, “is some of the non-native grass material that burns.” Despite reporting the incidents,Mohan expressed frustration: “We’ve been reporting these issues and not getting a whole lot of traction or response to figure out ways to intercept it.”
On December 26th,three portable restrooms at the preserve were destroyed by flames,raising alarm bells about the seriousness of the situation. Odile Farrell, a nearby resident, voiced her anxieties: “We’ve just gotten lucky [so far]. We’re just one spark away from a potential disaster.”
Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker, whose District 15 encompasses the area, is taking action. “It’s really distressing to have so many fires,” he acknowledged. McOsker stated that the police presence in the area is being intensified, with patrols by land, air, and sea. He’s also advocating for patrols using boats from the nearby harbor, drones, and even LAPD helicopters.
“As we’re at the end of the road, we’re frequently enough forgotten about as far as enforcement goes,” Mohan pointed out.
in a bid to identify those responsible, the Conservancy has repurposed game cameras, usually deployed to monitor wildlife, to capture footage of any suspicious activity.
A town hall meeting has been scheduled for January 6th at 6:30 p.m. at 434 W. Sixth Street to discuss the issue and gather community input. Residents are encouraged to attend. “Whatever the government and authorities can do to protect this place would be awesome,” said farrell.
## San Pedro Nature Preserve: Arson Concerns Escalate
**Editor:** Thank you, Adrienne and Councilman McOsker, for joining us today to discuss the concerning rise in suspicious fires at the White Point Nature Preserve. Adrienne, as the Executive Director of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, what can you tell us about the situation on the ground?
**Adrienne Mohan (Executive Director, Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy):** We’ve seen a disturbing increase in arson incidents over the past month. At least eight fires, thankfully relatively small, have been reported, primarily occurring at night. We’re seeing non-native grasses being targeted, which burn easily.
**Editor:** councilmanmcosker, this news is undoubtedly alarming for residents. What steps are being taken to address this growing threat, and what reassurances can you offer the community?
**Councilman tim mcosker (Los Angeles City Council District 15):** This is a serious concern, indeed. We’re escalating our law enforcement response in the area, including land patrols, aerial surveillance, and patrols using boats from the nearby harbor, drones, and even LAPD helicopters.
**Editor:** Adrienne, you mentioned that the preserve’s remote location might be contributing to the issue.
**Adrienne Mohan:** It does feel like we’re at the end of the road, and sometimes enforcement resources are stretched thin. We need to ensure our unique natural spaces receive adequate protection.
**Editor:** To gather details and identify those responsible, has the Conservancy put any particular measures in place?
**Adrienne Mohan:** We’ve repurposed our wildlife monitoring game cameras to capture footage of any suspicious activity. We hope this will lead us to the culprits.
**Editor:** A town hall meeting is scheduled for january 6th to discuss this pressing issue with the community. What do you hope to achieve during this meeting, Councilman McOsker?
**Councilman Tim McOsker:** We want to hear directly from residents, understand their concerns, and collectively explore solutions. We encourage everyone to attend and actively participate in the discussion.
**editor:** This situation highlights the vulnerability of our natural spaces, especially during periods of high fire risk. ***What measures should communities and local governments prioritize to proactively protect these precious areas from arson and other threats?***
**(Pause for reader response)**
## Protecting San Pedro Nature Preserve: An Interview with Adrienne Mohan
**[Introduction Music]**
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today we’re diving into a disturbing issue impacting a vital natural space in Los Angeles: teh escalating number of suspicious fires plaguing the San Pedro Nature preserve. Joining us today is Adrienne Mohan, the Executive Director of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land conservancy, the non-profit organization responsible for managing the Preserve. Welcome, Adrienne.
**Adrienne Mohan:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Adrienne, can you shed some light on the situation at the Preserve? What are we facing?
**Adrienne Mohan:** We’ve been confronted with a series of arson incidents over the past month, with at least eight reported cases. Thankfully,thus far,the fires have remained relatively small and contained to nighttime occurrences. However, the fear is palpable.
**Host:** Understandably so.These fires are deliberately set, correct?
**Adrienne Mohan:** That’s right. What adds to the concern is that these fires are targeting dry, non-native grasses, which are highly flammable and could easily ignite a much larger blaze.
**Host:** This is especially worrisome given the predicted strong Santa Ana winds later this week.
**Adrienne Mohan:** Absolutely. We’re literally one spark away from a potential disaster if these fires continue unabated, especially with the wind conditions expected.
**Host:** What steps are being taken to address this escalating situation?
**Adrienne Mohan:** We’ve been actively reporting these incidents to the authorities.
We’ve also repurposed wildlife monitoring cameras to capture any suspicious activity.
Furthermore, Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker, whose district encompasses the Preserve, has taken initiative. He’s pushing for increased police patrols in the area – by land, air, and even sea.
**Host:** That’s a notable response, indeed. What about community involvement?
**Adrienne Mohan:** A town hall meeting is scheduled for January 6th at 6:30 p.m. at 434 W. Sixth Street.We encourage all residents to attend, voice their concerns, and share any data they might have.Collective action is crucial in protecting this valuable natural space.
**Host:** Adrienne, thank you so much for sharing your time and insights on this incredibly vital issue.
**Adrienne Mohan:** My pleasure. It’s critical that we raise awareness and work together to protect the San Pedro nature Preserve.
**[Outro Music]**
