Increasing Wildfire Resilience at LA’s Ascot Hills Park, a Critical Urban Greenspace

An Urban Oasis in the Heart of Northeast Los Angeles

In the heart of Northeast Los Angeles, something special is growing. Facing intensifying wildfire, urban heat, and inequity, the community is taking matters into their own hands. At a historic urban park, local youth are growing native trees and shrubs that will be installed in the park itself — and across the city to increase LA’s resilience against wildfires. 

Why is LA Vulnerable to Wildfire?

Los Angeles (LA) sits at the confluence of diverse ecosystems, including coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, and riparian habitats. This region, part of the California Floristic Province, is globally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, harboring numerous endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. 

With wet winters and dry summers, its Mediterranean climate supports this ecological diversity but also makes the area naturally fire-prone. Historically, wildfires were a periodic disturbance that played an important role in ecosystem health, maintaining diverse wildlife habitats and enabling the natural regeneration of native plant species. However, recent wildfires have become increasingly catastrophic, with longer fire seasons characterized by fires that are more frequent and widespread.

The Role of Changing Weather Patterns

Shifts in weather patterns have exacerbated wildfire risks in LA. Extended drought periods have reduced soil moisture and desiccated vegetation, turning landscapes into tinderboxes. At the same time, rising temperatures have increased the length and intensity of fire seasons. Compounding the issue, altered precipitation cycles have resulted in shorter, more intense rainy seasons. This has encouraged the rapid growth of annual grasses and invasive species that dry out quickly, further fueling fires. 

The Impact of Invasive Plant Species

Invasive plants, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), have significantly altered fire regimes in the LA area. These species outcompete native plants and form dense, continuous ground cover that ignites and spreads fire more readily than native vegetation. Unlike many native species, invasive plants often lack the adaptations necessary to recover after fire, leading to a feedback loop of decreased native biodiversity and increased fire intensity and frequency. This invasion-driven shift undermines the natural resilience of ecosystems to recover post-fire. 

What is the History of Ascot Hills Park?

LA’s Ascot Hills is a historic area that has undergone many transformations. For thousands of years before LA received its modern name, the Native American Tongva people stewarded the land using traditional practices like cultural burning. As European settlement began in the mid-late 1700s, the landscape was converted for livestock grazing and non-native species were introduced. Over the next 150 years, the area continued to transform thanks to fire suppression, settlement, urbanization, and infrastructure development. In 1924, the Legion Ascot Speedway opened for business in Ascot Hills, attracting stars like Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, and Charlie Chaplin. After a former employee torched the speedway in 1936, the land was neglected for decades, used only as a utility training site. 

How is Ascot Hills Park Managed Today?

Overcoming many hurdles, Ascot Hills Park officially opened in 2011. Serving Northeastern LA, the 93-acre park’s rolling hills and open spaces are a sanctuary for underprivileged communities. As the designated steward of the park, our planting partner, North East Trees, has guided the renewal of this critical urban green space, revitalizing the land by restoring native habitats, planting trees, removing invasive plants, and implementing a variety of stormwater management systems. Today, the park hosts LA’s largest climate-adapted micro-forest, a network of self-guided nature trails, and a native plant nursery run by local youth. These efforts have already benefited native wildlife, including rabbits, coyotes, raptors, bobcats, and deer. 

How Vulnerable is Ascot Hills Park to Wildfire?

Unfortunately, Ascot Hills falls under California’s highest wildfire risk category, according to CALFIRE’s Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP). Despite ongoing efforts to restore the land, its long history of development and land degradation reveals itself in a high density of invasive species that are more susceptible to burning in a wildfire. This, combined with a relatively large land area and close proximity to residential and commercial areas, solidifies its place in the state’s highest category for wildfire risk.