Dear Sign Hill Stewards,
A lot has changed on Sign Hill over the past month. On October 16th, a fire started at Sign Hill's letters and moved westward, burning approximately 15 acres of Sign Hill. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the agencies involved, the fire was contained within a few hours with no injuries or structures lost. Sign Hill Park remains closed for public safety.
Sign Hill has a history of grassland fires — both human and naturally caused. Fires are an important and inescapable component of ecosystems. While October's fire was devastating to South City, there is hope for Sign Hill. Wildlife like the mission blue butterfly have adapted to and benefit from fire. Fire clears thatch, shrubs, and trees, making way for grassland wildflowers. With winter rains, the burned native grassland ecosystem will regenerate and thrive.
What's happening on Sign Hill to ensure we can coexist with wildfires into the future? Over the last year, the Parks Division has worked to create fire breaks and reduce ladder fuels behind the homes on Rocca Ave extending west from the Poplar entrance. Additionally, fire break work was performed at the end of Carnelian Road and Mountain Road. Parks staff have also worked to remove invasive trees & mow non-native grasses, accomplishing both habitat restoration and fire load reduction goals.
It's clear more work needs to be done, and the Parks and Recreation Department and the City as a whole are confronting this challenge head-on. In the coming months significant tree removal and erosion control efforts will be underway on Sign Hill as both reactive and preventative measures after the recent fire. This work is the first step to restoring Sign Hill to its original status as a pristine grassland. The extent of the tree removals will uncover vast areas of the hill that have been covered by invasive trees for at least fifty years. This will allow areas that were once pristine grassland to be restored to their native status. Exciting changes are coming to Sign Hill to ensure it's healthier and safer for both residents and wildlife.
Over the next year, we will need volunteer help more than ever to ensure a resilient Sign Hill. Consider volunteering for a 45-minute time slot at our Sign Hill Stewards: Planting Day event on December 12th. Read on for more information about volunteering, our Design Tech interns, and wildlife sightings.
Hope you are safe and healthy,
Emma Lewis
Natural Resource Specialist
Leading the Sign Hill Habitat Restoration Project
San Bruno Mountain Watch Board Member
