ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Let Nature Take Its Course

Nearly 3,000 acres of prime wilderness were scorched in the Laguna Beach fire, leaving a charred landscape in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Now, rather than permitting the land to heal in its own good time, hikers, bicyclists and assorted curiosity-seekers are causing even more damage by walking on the wounds, authorities report.

These intruders, ignoring warning signs posted by park rangers, are trampling on the new plants that have sprung up, are increasing the threat of erosion and are harming the resurgent habitat of animals.

Even in normal times, permission was required for walking along specially marked trials. In addition, trespassing, a misdemeanor, was discouraged by the abundant coastal sagebrush, which helped keep people out of delicate environments. With those plants now burned away, officials are concerned that the accumulating footprints and bicycle tracks will prevent the soil from absorbing moisture and cause excessive erosion from winter rains.

Tim Miller, regional parks manager for the county, says that people need to realize just how fragile the area is, and he calls for staying away while “nature takes its course.”

The Nature Conservancy and the county have increased patrols. But the best help can come from restraint on the part of any tempted to intrude while the aching land recovers.