Gardening Reduces Fire Risk

Creating a landscape and garden that will make home less vulnerable to wildfire is the key to reducing fire risk. By following some simple steps, a homeowner can create a defensible space around a home reduces the risk of fire spreading quickly.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Encircle the home with well-irrigated areas at least 30 feet on all sides, providing space for fire equipment in the event of an emergency.

• Plants should be limited to carefully spaced, fire resistant tree and shrub species.

• Remove highly flammable vegetation around the home.

• Take out the "ladder fuels", the vegetation that links grass and tree tops. These fuels carry fired from the vegetation to structure or from structure to vegetation.

• Keep trees and shrubs pruned. Prune all tress 6 to 10 feet from the ground.

• Mow the lawn regularly.

• Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.

• Keep a well maintained irrigation system.

• Landscape with less flammable plants such as dogwood, redbud, sycamore, magnolia, oaks, red maple, Florida soapberry, wild olive and black cherry. Check with your local nurseries and landscaping stores for other recommendations. 

• Keeping the home surrounding lean, clean and green may make the difference if confronted with a wildfire. Click here to find the products we carry to help keep your plants green and healthy.

• For more tips, contact your local State Forester.