In Los Angeles, some experts say there may be cases where clearing patches of chaparral around neighborhoods of houses is warranted. But the biggest improvement will come from clearing any vegetation ...

Joseph Algiers of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area says the native chaparral plants are being replaced by invasive grasses, which are even more flammable. In the mountains north ...

Most chaparral plants have small leaves that conserve water, one way they survive hot summers with virtually no rain. "We're standing in a biodiversity hotspot right now, and chaparral is unique ...