Firescaping Tips

Roads

• Remove dead, dying and diseased vegetation from 10 feet on either side of the road.

• Make your address visible.

• Create off-street parking.

• Manage overhanging branches.

• Communicate and negotiate with neighbors.

Structures

• Ensure all openings are screened.

• Clean roof and gutters.

• Manage seams and fill gaps.

• Paint, if not sand, all peeling paint.

• Make your address visible.

Defensible Space

• Remove all flammable items within the first 5 feet.

• Remove dead, dying and diseased vegetation.

• Maintain a clear driveway.

• Do not let your plants dry out.

Plants

• Know and utilize appropriate firescaping plant traits: broadleaf plants, moist and easily bent leaves, thick leaves, low amount of litter, sap that looks more like water, plants without fragrance, plants with silver or gray leaves, plant leaves without hair.

• Fire-retardant plants: Agapanthus, Cercis – Redbud, Crape Myrtle, Fescue, Flax, Gazania, Grape, Liquidambar, Philodendron, Photinia, Succulents.

• Fire-resistant plants: Artemisia ‘Silver King’, Ceanothus, Cistus – Rockrose, Coast Live Oak, Cotoneaster, Lemonade Berry, Mallow, Native Verbena, Toyo, Yarrow, Yucca.

• Maintenance is the fulcrum of fire safety.

• Remove dead, dying and diseased vegetation.

• Replace vegetation before it becomes an economic liability and fire risk.

• Do not let your plants dry out.