What REALLY Makes Landscaping Fireproof? Experts Weigh In
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
The tragic wildfires that swept through the Los Angeles area this month have reduced neighborhoods to rubble, claimed lives, and raised serious concerns about dangerous air quality. While the scale of the wildfires in Southern California was unprecedented, wildfires, in general, have unfortunately become more frequent, and the devastation in Los Angeles has prompted homeowners in fire-prone regions across the country to think about ways they can better fireproof their homes.
In addition to major projects like swapping out siding to make a home more fire-resistant, landscaping strategies can also play a role in helping to protect your home from encroaching flames, according to landscapers.
The plants you choose will depend on where you live (more on that below), but, simply put, fire-resistant landscaping involves creating a defensible space on your property and starving potential fires from fuel sources, explains Denis McCausland, a landscaper in the Denver metro area who is contributing editor to Denver Landscaping Lynx.
“Good landscaping choices can help to prevent the spread of fire, and poor landscaping choices can act as fire accelerant and put your property at greater risk,” McCausland explains.
Fire officials consider the area 200 feet up around your house as “defensible space,” meaning proper landscaping can help slow, or even stop, the spread of a fire. Keep in mind that no landscaping is considered entirely fireproof because even a wind-fueled wildfire can scorch fire-resistant plants, but some landscaping elements stand a better chance against a fire.
Here’s what to know about creating a fire-resistant landscaping plan for your own home.
How Do I Fireproof My Yard?
Choosing the right materials in your landscaping is key to making your home more fire-resistant, explains Steven Milks, who has 20 years of experience in landscaping and also volunteered as a wildland firefighter with The Nature Conservancy. Decomposed granite, decorative stone, and small gravel are good choices for homeowners in fire-prone areas, while shredded wood for mulch or pine straw should be avoided.
You can also install a brick retaining wall around your landscaping beds as well to hold groundcover in, protect it from weeds, and keep any potential fires from moving into the bed, he says. Stepping stone pathways between beds, metal edging, and large boulders providing breaks in between plants are also solid fire-resistant landscaping strategies, according to Milks.
Plants and trees should have plenty of space between them, and vegetation needs to be consistently pruned because it can otherwise fuel fires, McCausland says.
“Fires can quickly jump from grasses and shrubs to trees and homes,” he says. “You'll want to make sure all grasses and dormant plants are consistently cut low, and be sure to remove the clippings from your property.”
What Are the Most Fire-Resistant Plants?
When it comes to fire-resistant plants, you’ll need to take many factors into consideration while making your landscaping plan. These include light and water requirements, how hot summers are in your area, and how cold temps get in the winter, Milks says.
“Otherwise, you may end up with a bunch of dead, dried-up plants that will only add fuel to a fire,” he says. If you have a plant that isn't thriving in your yard and dies, remove it as soon as possible, Milks says.
You can avoid this in part by selecting plants that are native to your region and making sure that anything you plant is adaptable and right for your USDA Hardiness Zone, which you can find on this map. In addition to consulting experts at your local nursery, many university extensions and organizations have curated lists of fire-resistant plants, like Colorado State University, New Mexico State Forestry, the Fire Safe Council of San Diego, and Oregon State University.
Also, landscaping experts say to avoid plants like juniper, which is highly flammable because old, brittle needles accumulate in the plant.
What should you select, though? Plants with high moisture content and thick leaves like succulents are less prone to igniting, McCausland says. Prickly pear cactus and yucca plants are fire-resistant, visually appealing, and easy to maintain as they're native to many of the dryer regions of the country.
Deciduous hardwood trees like aspens or maples are also fire-resistant choices, he says. The downside, however, is that they do require consistent water to stay healthy and they produce a lot of leaves that need to be removed in fall to prevent a prime source of fuel for fires.
For shrubs and ground cover, consider trailing rosemary or myoporum, says Dominique Snyder, District Manager of Los Angeles Moon Valley Nurseries. “Not only do they help prevent erosion on hillsides, but they also resist fire and add a lush, green look to your yard,” she says.
What Are Tips for Fire-Resistant Landscaping?
Here are five more tips for fire-resistant landscaping:
Fertilizing is important for creating a fire-resistant yard, Synder says, because healthy trees and plants are less likely to dry out and drop excessive debris.
Shrubs should be spaced out with two times their height between them, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.
Trees should be 10 feet apart from each other, and no tree canopy should be within 10 feet of a house.
The lowest branches on your tree should have at least six feet of clearance from the ground.
Avoid plants that have aromatic leaves, gummy saps, or loose papery bark as they tend to be more flammable.
A final note: While designing fire-resistant landscaping can feel overwhelming, homeowners don’t have to figure out a landscaping plan on their own, Snyder says. You can hire an expert in your area who can assess your yard and recommend the best solutions based on your budget and risk factors in your area.
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.
You Might Also Like
