TCFSC Lecture Series

Videos of our Lectures, and Home Tours are available on YouTube. The videos were recorded at the Topanga Public Library, and the Home Tours were recorded in Topanga Canyon neighborhoods.

You can access all the videos on the TCFSC YouTube Channel

Below is a description of the individual videos, with links to each one:

Fire Ecology & Behavior: Part 1 Wildfire Risk In Our Unique Ecosystem. Fire history and behavior in the Santa Monica Mountains, and how we can better protect ourselves. Presented by Robert Taylor, Ph.D. Biogeographer and Fire GIS Specialist from the National Park Service, Mediterranean Coast Network. (Recorded April 17th 2012)

Fire Ecology & Behavior: Part 2 Wildfire In The Santa Monica Mountains. Fire danger, fire fighting, and what you can do to change fire behavior around your home. Presented by Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Fire Management Officer for the National Park Service, Mediterranean Coast Network. (Recorded on April 17th, 2012)

Safer Homes: Part 1 Vulnerabilities of Buildings to Wildfire. Steps residents can take to lessen the risk to their homes. Presented by Stephen Quarles, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. (Recorded on May 16th 2012)

Safer Homes: Part 2 A visit to some homes in Topanga to show practical ways to make them less vulnerable to wildfire. Presented by Stephen Quarles, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. (Recorded on May 17th 2012)

Safer Landscaping: Part 1 Sustainable and Fire SAFE Landscapes. How residents can protect their property and the health of the Santa Monica Mountains wildlands by creating and maintaining a sustainable, fire-resistant landscape. Presented by Sabrina Drill Ph.D: Natural Resources Advisor for University of California Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. (Recorded on June 12th, 2012)

Safer Landscaping: Part 2 A visit to some homes in Topanga to provide tips on how to create and maintain a sustainable, fire-resistant landscape. Presented by Sabrina Drill Ph.D., Natural Resources Advisor for University of California Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. (Recorded on June 12th, 2012)

A Safer Community (27 EASE): Part 1 27 EASE (Evacuation And Safety Enhancement). A voluntary program to make Topanga Canyon Blvd safer in a fire emergency. Presented by J. Lopez. Acting Assistant Chief Forester: Los Angeles County Fire Department. Introduction by Ryan Ulyate: NTCFSC. (Recorded on October 18th, 2012) Note: we were unable to obtain clearance for the video clip that Forester Lopez ran at the lecture, so footage of the 1991 Oakland Hills fire was substituted.

A Safer Community (27 EASE): Part 2 Wildfire Hazards and Decision Making. The types of non-native hazardous vegetation that 27 EASE is focused on. Presented by Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Fire Management Officer for the National Park Service, Mediterranean Coast Network. (Recorded on October 18th, 2012)

A Safer Community (27 EASE): Part 3 Look Up And Live. Hazardous vegetation and power line safety. Why it's important to keep hazardous vegetation away from power lines. Presented by William Hallett (with Mike Metcho): ISA Certified Arborists: Southern California Edison.

A Safer Community (27 EASE): Part 4 California Fire Safe Council and Grants Clearinghouse. Explaining the California Fire Safe Council and how the NTCFSC received it's grant for 27 EASE. Presented by Katie Ziemann. Grant Manager: California Fire Safe Council. With closing remarks by Beth Burnam: NTCFSC.