In the past few years, California has experienced several devastating wildfires. As summer approaches, so does fire season in this state. Prepare yourself for this upcoming season by protecting your home from potential wildfires with well-spaced and well maintained fire-resistant plants. These plants store water in their stems/leaves, grow deep roots to limit erosion, grow slow with very little need for care, and contain very little amount of volatile oils. Some of these useful plants are Ceanothus impressus, Aloe striata, and Aeonium haworthii- all of which are grown locally. For a more extensive list of plants, see the “Starter List of Fire-Resistant Plants” on the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden’s website.
Ceanothus impressus
Aloe striata
Aeonium haworthii
First 30 feet zone.
Another way to protect your home this season is to create a defensible space around your home. It is suggested that you separate this space into two zones: the first zone within 30 feet of the house and the second zone 30 to 100 feet away from the home. In zone one, the area should be clear of debris and flammable objects. Remove all dead plants from this area and have irrigated, fire-resistant plants in this zone. Create paths between these plants and trees as well so that, in case of a fire, firefighters can move through these zones easily. In zone two, you should focus on fire fuel reduction. Dried annual grasses should be mowed to 4 inches, and dead twigs and weeds should be removed from the area. Keep plants fire resistant with a height no taller than four feet; these plants should also be thinned to reduce the volume of fuel. If planting shrubs, make sure they are separated from the trees so that, if a fire should occur, the shrubs will not act as a ladder for the fire to reach the trees’ canopies.
Gazebo with zone 1 in immediate background and zone two further up hillside.
The SLO Botanical Garden has its own Fire Safe Garden, demonstrating the best ways your garden can help protect your home from wildfires. This particular garden has examples of both zone one and zone two plantings surrounding the gazebo; in this instance, the gazebo is meant to represent the home. The Fire Safe Garden displays a variety of fire-resistant plants that you can plant around your own home. Come visit and see how beautiful a fire-safe garden can be!
By Chelsea Planesi