Fire Safe Landscaping with California Native Plants
By Shannon Dinis, ISA Certified Arborist
Native plants have been perceived as fire promoters,
and recent fires (including those in San Diego late last
year) have exacerbated this perception since the native
chaparral community burned so uncontrollably.
However, even in the Wildland-Urban Interface,
landscaping with California native species can still be a
wonderful option. Though no plant is fire proof, with
careful maintenance many plant species, even natives,
can reduce fire risk to the home.
The CAL FIRE recommendations for Defensible Space
are on the back of this page. When creating Defensible
Space, there should be 30 feet around the house clear
of any combustible material that might ignite during
normal summer conditions. Plants should be well
irrigated, pruned often, and well-spaced. Irrigation will
keep the foliage moist which will slow down the
spread of fire through the landscape. Small trees can
be used with low groundcovers or mulch below them.
An inch of mulch, such as decomposing leaves, matted
shredded wood, or gravel, serves as a weed deterrent
and helps keep plant roots moist. California buckeye
(Aesculus
californica),
scrub
oak
(Quercus
berberidifolia) and toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) are
examples of small trees and dwarf coyote bush
(Baccharis pilularis prostratus) can be used as
groundcover. Since California buckeye is the largest of
these it should be planted as close to 30 feet from the
house as possible. Plants chosen to landscape this area
should tolerate water throughout the year. It is
important to clean up the dropped leaves from the
buckeye in the summer months and remove dead
branches and leaves from other plants.
The next 30-100 feet from the property can be
maintained with well-spaced shrubs and taller trees.
Taller trees such as coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia)
and pine species should be cleaned out annually before
the start of fire season to remove dead branches and
leaves as well as leaf litter below. Make sure that any
shrubs are no closer than 5 to 10 feet from trees so that
fire will not move from shrubs into the trees.
Native shrub species should also be thinned out and
dead material removed so there are no large stands of
vegetation for fire to move through.
Some
recommended native shrubs are wedgeleaf ceanothus
(Ceanothus cuneatus) and sugarbush (Rhus ovata).
These species are drought tolerant and ideal for
growing in chaparral communities. They will also save
on water costs. A gravel or brick pathway can also
help to maintain space between shrubs. Be sure to
remove invasive annual plants that create dry fuel since
this can promote fire. Removing them before they set
seed can help reduce annual maintenance over time.
Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia)
The most important part of fire safe landscaping is
maintaining a landscape free of dead (combustible)
vegetation throughout the year. Most species can be
fire safe if they are maintained with regular irrigation,
pruning, and removal of dead litter and downed
branches. Though landscaping alone may not save your
home from a fire, it can help. “The focus must be on all
three elements starting from the house and working
outward. If one is neglected, the effort done in the
others is insufficient to protect the house” said Kay
Stewart, a Landscape Architect in San Diego who
teaches homeowners how to reduce wildfire risks to
their homes as part of a program developed by the San
Diego Natural History Museum. Maintaining a fire
safe property requires that the home has fire safe
architecture and that the landscape is maintained at
least annually, if not more often, during the fire season.
Many beautiful native plants can be a great way to
reach this landscaping goal.
--------------Shannon is currently pursuing her Masters in Conservation
Biology at San Jose State University. She is working for
WECI as a contractor in PG&E’s vegetation management
program and as an Area Coordinator for the Santa Clara
County FireSafe Council, www.sccfiresafe.org.
Sources:
Kay Stewart, Landscape Architect, [email protected]
Landscaping Your Home in a Fire Area. (1993)
Las Pilitas. www.laspilitas.com/fire.htm.
Protecting Your Home from Fire.
The California Chaparral Institute.
www.californiachaparral.com/bprotectingyourhome.html.
Landscape for Fire Protection.
Calaveras County University of California Cooperative
Extension. www.cecalaveras.ucdavis.edu/land.htm.
Why 100 Feet ?
Following these simple steps can
dramatically increase the chance of
your home surviving a wildfire!
A Defensible Space of 100 feet around
your home is required by law.1 The goal is
to protect your home while providing a safe
area for firefighters.
1
“Lean, Clean and Green Zone.”
– Clearing an area of 30 feet immediately
surrounding your home is critical. This area
requires the greatest reduction in flammable
vegetation.
2
“Reduced Fuel Zone.”
– The fuel reduction zone in the remaining
70 feet (or to property line) will depend on
the steepness of your property and the
vegetation.
Spacing between plants improves the chance
of stopping a wildfire before it destroys your
home. You have two options in this area:
a Create horizontal and vertical spacing
between plants. The amount of space will
depend on how steep the slope is and the
size of the plants.
b Large trees do not have to be cut and
removed as long as all of the plants
beneath them are removed. This
eliminates a vertical “fire ladder.”
When clearing vegetation, use care when
operating equipment such as lawnmowers.
One small spark may start a fire; a string
trimmer is much safer.
Remove all build-up of needles and leaves
from your roof and gutters. Keep tree limbs
trimmed at least 10 feet from any chimneys
and remove dead limbs that hang over your
home or garage. The law also requires a
screen over your chimney outlet of not more
than 1/2 inch mesh.
Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
(408) 975-9591 • www.SCCFireSafe.org
The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council is a non-profit organization composed
of individuals, public and private agencies and companies that share a common,
vested interest in preventing and reducing losses from wildfires
1. These regulations affect most of the grass, brush, and
timber-covered private lands in the State. Some fire department
jurisdictions may have additional requirements. Some
activities may require permits for tree removal. Also, some
activities may require special procedures for, 1) threatened and
endangered species, 2) avoiding erosion, and 3) protection of
water quality. Check with local officials if in doubt. Current
regulations allow an insurance company to require additional
clearance. The area to be treated does not extend beyond your
property. The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has
approved Guidelines to assist you in complying with the new
law. Contact your local CDF office for more details.
Reprinted with permission
SEPTEMBER 2006