In recent weeks, urban fires in Los Angeles have captured headlines, bringing attention to the growing intersection of wildfires and urban landscapes. While the immediate impacts of such events—loss of property, air quality concerns, and displacement—are well-known, one overlooked consequence is the harm these fires inflict on the ocean. The proximity of these fires to the Pacific Ocean highlights a critical connection: what burns on land doesn’t stay on land.

Fires Near the Coast: Immediate and Long-Term Impacts

When fires occur close to the ocean, like those near Los Angeles, their effects can be felt almost immediately in marine ecosystems. Ash, soot, and debris from burned structures—including plastics, chemicals, and heavy metals—can be carried by wind and surface runoff into the ocean. Rain following a fire exacerbates the problem, washing toxic residues into rivers and storm drains that empty into coastal waters.

This influx of pollutants disrupts marine ecosystems in multiple ways:

• Nutrient Overload: Ash and soot contain high levels of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. When these enter the ocean, they can fuel algal blooms, depleting oxygen and creating dead zones where marine life struggles to survive.
• Toxicity to Marine Life: Chemicals from burned materials, such as pesticides or industrial compounds, can poison marine species. Fish, shellfish, and other marine organisms absorb these pollutants, which then move up the food chain, affecting predators, including humans.
• Damage to Coral Reefs and Seagrasses: Sediment and ash can cloud coastal waters, blocking sunlight essential for photosynthetic organisms like coral and seagrass. This reduces biodiversity and weakens the resilience of marine ecosystems.

The Broader Issue: Wildfires and the Ocean

While fires near the coast have a direct impact, wildfires anywhere can harm the ocean. Here’s why:

• Smoke and Airborne Particulates: Smoke from wildfires contains fine particles and carbon compounds that eventually settle into water bodies, including the ocean. These particles can alter water chemistry and reduce sunlight penetration, affecting photosynthetic organisms like phytoplankton.
• Runoff from Burned Watersheds: Inland fires contribute to sedimentation in rivers and streams, which eventually carry ash, debris, and pollutants to the ocean. This is especially problematic after heavy rains.
• Disruption of Global Carbon and Nutrient Cycles: Wildfires release massive amounts of carbon dioxide and black carbon into the atmosphere. Black carbon can deposit on ice caps, accelerating melting, while changes in carbon levels can impact ocean acidity and global climate patterns, indirectly affecting marine ecosystems.

A Call to Action

Addressing the connection between wildfires and ocean health requires an integrated approach. Here are a few key steps:

• Improve Urban Planning: Minimizing fire risks in urban areas, particularly near coastlines, can reduce the amount of toxic debris entering the ocean.
• Invest in Fire-Resistant Infrastructure: Using non-toxic, fire-resistant building materials can limit the release of harmful chemicals during a fire.
• Restore Burned Watersheds: Post-fire restoration, such as replanting vegetation and managing runoff, can prevent pollutants from reaching rivers and oceans.
• Raise Awareness: Educating the public about how terrestrial fires impact marine environments is crucial for inspiring collective action to protect both.

Conclusion

The recent urban fires near Los Angeles are a stark reminder of how interconnected our ecosystems are. As the line between urban and natural areas blurs, it’s critical to recognize that fires on land—whether in coastal cities or remote forests—have far-reaching effects on the ocean. Protecting marine life means not only responding to fires but also addressing their root causes and consequences with a holistic, forward-thinking approach. Together, we can work to safeguard both our land and sea for future generations.