Plant Fire-Resistant Plants in Your Landscape
Most homeowners take great pride in their landscapes and seek to create urban oases by planting trees, shrubs and flowers on their properties. While this can improve curb appeal, one of the primary hazards of plant life is the danger of wildfire. The persistent drought in many parts of the United States has made wildfires an even larger menace. Bark beetle infestations have added to the supply of dead, dry wood in many forests. Wildfire can easily spread from dry vegetation to your plants, and from your plants to your home. Fortunately, there are fire-resistant plants you can place strategically on your property to help resist the spread of flames to your home. Here are some things you should know about planting fire-resistant plants on your property.
Select Fire-Safe Plants
There is no such thing as a fireproof plant, but there are plenty of plants categorized as "fire-resistant." Any plant can become a fire hazard if it is not cared for or watered properly. A dry plant makes great fuel for flames, even if it would be considered a fire-safe plant under optimal conditions. The way you care for your plants has a greater impact on whether they will ignite easily than the categorization of the plants.
However, there are some plants that are known for their fire-resistant properties. Plants with high moisture content in their leaves (such as moss phlox, wild geranium and swamp milkweed) are more likely to slow the spread of fire on your property. On the other hand, plants containing resins, oils and waxes (such as juniper, acacia and some ornamental grasses) are like tinderboxes and can cause fire to spread more quickly to your home.
Your top priority outdoors is creating a defensible space around the house or other structures. Defensible space defines an area around the house where flammable material has been removed or reduced.
This area serves as a fuel break and buffer zone. The goal is to keep a fire moving slow and low until it can be extinguished. The space serves two purposes in the event of a wildfire — to slow the fire down and give firefighters a space to concentrate on saving the house itself.
Create a Defensible Space
The minimum defensible space around a home is 30 feet. Within this space you should create three zones. Zone 0 is 0 to 5 feet from your home, including your deck and other structures.
Within this Zone 0, you should
- Have little or no vegetation.
- Clear gutters, roofs, and decks of leaves, needles, grass, dead plants, weeds and other debris.
- Trim branches 10 feet away from chimneys.
- Use non-combustible materials like pavers, concrete or gravel for landscaping instead of mulch.
- Move firewood, lumber, garbage and recycling bins to another location.
As alternatives, walkways and stone walls can help dress up the landscape. This area has more vegetation but still follows fire-wise guidelines. Zone 1 is 5 to 30 feet from your home, including your deck and other structures. The goal with this Zone is to reduce or eliminate pathways that could allow fire to spread from vegetation to your home.
Within this Zone 1, you should
- Prune trees and plants and ensure the lowest branches are at least six feet from the ground.
- Clear away all dead grass, plants, vegetation, leaves, pine needles and other flammable debris from your yard, gutters and roof.
- Clear any flammable items from under decks, stairs and balconies.
- Mow your lawn regularly and ensure it’s well watered.
- Maintain a 10-foot gap between trees and shrubs.
The third zone, Zone 2, extends from 30 feet to 100 feet. This is the most natural area. This is a slightly modified natural area when trees are thinned out.
Within this Zone 2, you should
- Cut your lawn to no more than three inches.
- Clear all dead grass, plants and fallen vegetation, including tree bark, pinecones, twigs, etc.
- Create horizontal spacing: Horizontal Spacing Clearance Formula: Space shrubs at a little more than half their mature width apart. Example: A shrub expected to be four feet wide should have about two and a half feet between it and the next shrub. For trees, plant them at least the width of their mature canopy apart. For example, a tree with a medium-sized 20-foot canopy like a fruit tree would need 20 feet of space.
- Create vertical spacing between trees and shrubs to prevent the fire from spreading. Vertical Spacing Clearance Formula: Multiply shrub height by 3. Example: A 4-foot shrub near a tree needs 12 feet of clearance to the tree’s lowest branch.
If these defensible space dimensions exceed your property lines, make every effort to get your neighboring property owners involved in making the area fire-safe.
Preparedness is the key when dealing with any type of fire. Our companion guide can help you and your family get prepared for a wildfire.
Key Steps to Create a Fire-Safe Landscape
Step 1: Clean Up
Clear any dead vegetation from around your home. Foundation plantings especially need to be addressed. Remove any limbs hanging over the roof or within 15 feet of the chimney. Rake up any fallen pine needles or leaves on the property and clear debris from the roof and gutters.
Step 2: Plant Fire-Resistant Plants
Plant fire-resistant flowers, bushes and trees on your property. Use fire-resistant mulch to further discourage flames from taking over your landscape and home. Avoid using shrubs, trees and mulches with high resin content. Space trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart and avoid planting trees underneath electric lines.
Step 3: Use Non-Flammable Materials in Your Defensible Space
Don't plant bushes or trees within your home's defensible space. Add visual appeal to your defensible space with steppingstones, rock features and other non-flammable materials.
As a general rule, it's a good idea to have fire extinguishers readily available in and around your home, including outdoors. Our ABC Fire Extinguisher Guide: Types and Uses walks you through the types of fire extinguishers that are effective for different types of fires and gives you tips on how to use a fire extinguisher. Always use and store a fire extinguisher according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Construction and Building Materials Fire Safety
While the area around the home is important, the construction of the home itself is also significant. Local codes are your ultimate guidelines. Here are some fundamentals:
- Make sure the roof material rating is Class C or better for fire resistance. The roof is a critical area due to its surface area and tendency to accumulate blowing cinders.
- Use brick, stone and metal where possible.
- Buy fire-resistant materials or treat existing ones with fire-retardants.
- Install dual-paned or triple-paned windows of tempered glass.
- Install spark-arresting devices on all chimneys.
- Hang shutters outdoors or fire-resistant drapery indoors.
- Cover open areas in the foundation and eaves with a metal screen.
- Choose a building site away from the top of a ridge.
- Keep firewood and LP tanks at least 30 feet away from the house. LP tanks should also be located at the same level as the home if possible.
Fire Precautions
In addition to the precautions listed above, there are a few more things you can do to minimize your wildfire risk and assist firefighters when they arrive.
- Have garden hoses ready at each outside water outlet.
- Keep a ladder handy for quick access to the roof.
- Make sure your house number is prominently displayed.
- Maintain adequate road accessibility for fire vehicles.
- Develop and practice an evacuation plan.
Fire, like water, will follow the path of least resistance. Fires generally don't allow much time to react, so prevention and preparedness are critical. Find fire safety products to help keep your home and family safe at Lowes.com. Also learn more on fire safety and how to help you prepare for a wildfire.