19th century ground photos and aerial photographs reveal that chaparral and coastal sage scrub on Santa Catalina Island resembled modern stands on mainland coastal areas ca. 150 years ago, but were converted into an open herbaceous savanna due to overgrazing by feral goats, pigs, and other exotic fauna. This transformation has limited fires due to continuous removal of fuels. Browsing has also modified the floristic composition of brushlands. Removal of feral herbivores will result in rapid vegetal recovery and increasing fire danger.