Improvements at Red Rock Stage Area are just part of repairs being made at Irving Ranch Conservancy while the IRC is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Courtesy photo.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) and its land partners, OC Parks, the City of Irvine, and City of Newport Beach, have taken advantage of the COVID-19 shutdown to make improvements to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and rehabilitate areas damaged by recent wildfires. With over 40,000 acres of land on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and countless plant and animal species, these wildlands are an important part of Orange County’s natural habitat.
In recent years, increased wildfire danger has become more of a threat to the Landmarks, with fires occurring 90% more frequently than natural return intervals of 70 to 150 years. On October 26, 2020, the Silverado Fire burned about 12,466 acres of land in Orange County, damaging infrastructure and natural habitats on the Landmarks. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, public activities have been halted, meaning IRC staff are able to restore the damaged infrastructure at a quicker pace, while also improving areas of the Landmarks for future public enjoyment.