City officials seem to favor overnight camping, but with certain safeguards
As firefighters worked Monday to fully contain the Corral Canyon wildfire — the third significant blaze to hit this beach community this year — residents rallied in opposition to a controversial plan to expand camping in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Residents are fearful that increased camping will spark more fires, putting more lives and homes in danger.
“This whole thing makes me feel very uncomfortable,” said Marshall Thompson, a resident who had to evacuate his home in the hills above Zuma Beach over the weekend and find refuge for his dozen sheep and goats because of the fire, which destroyed more than 85 homes and burned 4,901 acres as of Monday afternoon.
“This is not about NIMBYism (not in my back yard). That’s absurd,” Thompson added. “Malibu is the most user-friendly city in the county. This is about public safety and not creating another hairy situation like the one we had this weekend.”
On Dec. 5, the Malibu City Council is expected to vote on a proposal by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy that would provide for overnight camping at Corral and Escondido canyons, and Charmlee Wilderness Park, near the Ventura County border, said Dash Stolarz, public information director for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), which manages the Santa Monica Mountains for the conservancy.
But residents believe the move would be dangerous given the high winds and dry conditions due to drought.
“There are already over 1,000 overnight camping sites in this area. We don’t need to add any more,” said Susan Tellem, a 10-year-resident of Malibu who runs a tortoise rescue operation and owns 10 sheep and two goats. “These fires move so fast that it can be difficult to evacuate in time. Luckily for me, I was able to get my animals out of there, but I know people who lost two dogs because they just couldn’t get them out in time.”
The weekend fire started along a dirt road at the top of Corral Canyon Road near Castro Mountain Way in Malibu Creek State Park. Fire officials said the blaze was started by “human activity,” but have not said whether it was set accidentally or deliberately.
Neighbors have long complained about late-night parties and other nonsanctioned behavior on public parklands in the area.
Six months ago, state park rangers increased patrols and citations for parking after hours, among other violations, and they have ticketed minors for being in possession of alcohol, Ron Schafer, a state park superintendent, told the LA Times. Schafer told the newspaper he wasn’t aware of any calls from residents Friday night, but “a ranger went up in that area sometime Friday night.”
Malibu Mayor Jeff Jennings said residents opposed to the camping plan must realize that the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has the right to put campsites on the public lands it oversees. The city, he said, is attempting to retain some control over the situation.
City Hall has vowed to impose a requirement for rangers with fire-fighting experience to monitor the camping areas around the clock. The city is also considering a ban on campfires when there are “red flag” warnings.
41A,“Because we have had three major fires in the last year, people are understandably freaked out,” Jennings said. “But the one thing you have to realize is that camping has proven to be a safe activity, and we have put in a lot of conditions to make sure it remains a safe activity.”
The Malibu City Council could vote to deny the conservancy access to Charmlee, however, that would not stop the agency from moving forward with plans to build campgrounds on property it already owns. The conservancy can also bypass the council and go straight to the California Coastal Commission, which advocates camping and open access to public lands.
“We are trying to make sure that the city has a voice and some control over what goes on at the site,” Jennings said.
Officials with the MRCA studied the area where the proposed campsites would be located and are confident that they do not pose any threat to residents or wildlife. They said wildfires are rarely sparked by fires at designated campgrounds, but instead of the result of those camping illegally.
Tellem said she and other residents are prepared to fight the conservancy’s proposal and will be out in force the night the council debates the issue.
“We just want the council to say no,” Tellem said. “They are so worried about what might happen if they do, that the conservancy will try to go over their heads to the Coastal Commission. Well, I say let’s fight that battle if it comes to that. Right now, they just need to vote no.”
“This is not about NIMBYism. That’s absurd.”
Marshall Thompson, resident of Malibu who is opposed to expanding overnight camping.
Jumphead - Camp fires would be banned during ‘red flag’ days - City officials seem to favor overnight camping
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 28, 2007. Read the original PDF.