Spring 2024
Home Landscaping for Fire Safety
We plan to continue covering this topic in future issues with more detailed information on this very important landscaping strategy. Why?... Because it is a course of action that allows you to proactively make a positive difference in the event of a wildfire.
Part 1 is for our readers new to this subject or who would like a little refresher on creating a fire-resistant property. So, let's first dig into the Elements of Landscaping for Fire Safety.
Hardening the landscape
Creating a beautiful and functional landscape as well as a fire resistant property can be accomplished using the concept of Defensible Zones.
Visualize your property as three distinct defensible zones that, when done properly, make your home and property less vulnerable to fire. In these zones, we look for places to prevent ignition, slow fire down, and improve firefighter access.
The Defensible Zones are:
- Zone 0: Ignition Zone
0-5 feet from structure - Zone 1: Lean and Green Zone
5-30 feet from structure - Zone 2: Reduced Fuel Zone
50-100 feet from a structure or to your property line (some rural areas to 150 ft)
Zone 0: Ignition Zone 0–5 feet
Your home is ground zero. The beginning of the most important defense zone. The first 5 feet from your home or other structure are critical to the safety of your home and family. Not only is this zone critical to isolate embers from the structure, it is also an area where firefighters may need to navigate safely.
Those 5 feet should be clear of anything that will burn. Consider hardscape materials, such as cement, pavers, rock, and gravel. Remove all flammable hazards that are within this critical zone: such as flammable organic mulches (bark or wood chip; well-rotted compost with no visible woody bits is okay), firewood, construction materials, propane tanks, flammable furniture/cushions, and all vegetation. Prune nearby tree canopies to preserve 10-foot clearance from the roof edge. Replace wood fencing and gates within this zone with metal or nonflammable cement block, or similar material. You want to take special care around corners, where swirling embers concentrate as a wildfire front passes through.
Zone 1: Lean, Clean, and Green Zone 5–30 feet
In this zone, the primary goal is to eliminate fire paths between plantings. First create fuel breaks that will starve embers and stop or slow flames from spreading.
Keep this zone well-hydrated and clear of any fallen leaves. Plant choice in this area should be thoughtful, with no high-flammability plants. Remove high-maintenance plants with dense foliage and heavy litter if you cannot maintain them safely. Any tall shrubs and trees in this zone should have clearance between canopies, or be clustered with generous separation from nearby structures and trees. Avoid all conifers and flammable evergreens in this zone. Prune, thin, and remove unhealthy plants to reduce fuel, allow embers and firebrands to blow through, and eliminate fire ladders that lead from the ground to tree tops. Incorporate fire safe hardscape materials throughout this area, like stone, gravel, cement, metal fences, water features, and pathways.
Zone 2: Reduced Fuel Zone 30–100 feet
REDUCE THE FUEL in this zone all the way around your home and other structures. Fuel is anything that will burn, especially dead or dying vegetation, downed branches, overgrown brambles, tall grasses and weeds, flammable plants, and wooden fencing.
Keep this area clear of dry leaves and plants that create fire ladders into tree canopies. Limb up trees and large shrubs, remembering to never remove more than a third of the canopy at one time. (Don’t do this to young trees; wait until they get established and at least 6 feet tall before opening up.) Add hardscape to reduce fuel and help slow fires. To reduce weeds, mulch with large wood chips (no small chips or bark). Up to 4” deep is acceptable; a large wood chip catches fire more slowly than bark or finer wood chips. Exception: for oak trees, allow the oak leaf duff to remain up to 2 inches deep. These trees require oak leaf debris to maintain a healthy subsoil environment.
For more information on defensible space:
https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness/Landscaping/DefensibleSpace/
Congratulations! You've just taken the first step toward becoming more fire-safe just by reading Part 1 of this series!
Now that we have covered defensible zones, you will be prepared to go into further details about firescaping. We are looking forward to support and encourage you in your continued efforts by giving you regular advice and information in future issues.
‘Part 2: How to Develop a Strategy for each Zone’ will be covered in the upcoming Summer edition of our Newsletter.
Until then, happy gardening!