Updated August 2024: From our coastal to inland foothills, we hear the same questions from residents of high fire severity zones. The good news is, there are simple, low cost steps we can take in our to reduce fire danger, and their efficacy increases with every neighbor that takes them.
Here are answers to the questions we hear from Angelenos hoping to mitigate fire risk:
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Can you recommend specific fire-resistant plants that thrive in our region’s climate?
Yes! While there is no fire-proof plant, healthy, hydrated plants are harder for fire to ignite. As they’ve adapted with our soils, temperatures, and precipitation through millennia, native plants have the advantage in staying hydrated and healthy through our full climate cycle. A few of our favorites for LA foothill communities include those that both resist fire and help retain slopes:
- Coast Live Oak: These beautiful resources are like outfielders, catching wind-driven embers en route to homes in their dense canopies.
- Manzanita: Deep rooting and wonderfully architectural, manzanitas protect from mid-height ember casts and help retain slopes.
- Oregon Grape: Another dense, heat and drought resistant mid-height ember blocker.
- Yucca Whipplei: One of the most fire resistant and deep rooting natives, it provides a critical role in retaining slopes otherwise denuded by fire.
- Dwarf Coyote Bush: Perhaps the best groundcover for retaining slopes and inhibiting rolling or bouncing embers en route to structures.
Note that arson grasses and other plants that increase fire danger are often marketed as “drought tolerant” and “climate friendly.” Selecting only native foliage is the safest rule of thumb as we seek to mitigate LA’s wildfire danger.
Are there specific irrigation techniques or water-saving methods recommended for maintaining fire defensive landscapes?
We use and recommend smart irrigation – subsurface, low-flow, drip irrigation on weather based controllers. As with the landscape as a whole, maintenance is important. It is wise to do a seasonal check to ensure irrigation in good working order.
Native foliage will need less applied water and adapt to our infrequent yet predictable high-rain years too.
Rain gardens, also known as bioswales, can be added to sink stormwater. Stormwater allowed to sink strengthens foliage for drier months and improves long term soil hydration. Because they help foliage stay healthy and hydrated in drought and high heat, they help it resist fire.
There are also several ways to Fight Fire without H20.
Can you discuss the role of mulch in fire defensive landscaping and recommend suitable mulch options?
Organic wood-based mulch helps soil retain hydration and maintain cooler temperatures. It supports foliage health. These qualities are fire defensive and highly desirable for several other reasons.
There are a wide variety of mulches, and studies show they vary in how fast and how hot they burn. One thing is for sure – organic mulches are not entirely ember resistant and, therefore, not recommended within 5 feet of a structure. Within that space, use only inorganic mulches, such as gravel or stone. Further out in a landscape, compost mulch, sometimes called forest floor mulch, is less likely to ignite. It will also have lower flame heights when it does. We have had some insurance companies require its use or the removal of all mulch throughout a landscape.
Caution: Do not use petroleum based mulches (e.g. plastic landscape fabrics, shredded tire mulch) anywhere on your property. They are highly flammable, produce toxic fumes when they burn, and leak toxins into the soil too.
Are there any relevant rebates or incentives for implementing some of these measures?
There certainly are! The Municipal Water District’s now $5 per square foot Cash for Grass Rebates and $100 per tree rebates are a great way to help fund a fire defense-focused landscape renovation.
The Safe, Clean Water Program offers incentives and ongoing tax savings for community rain gardens and stormwater catching features. Many cities other water agencies also offer giveaways, rebates and incentives for water saving rain barrels and cisterns.
Some municipalities also provide support for removing the few plants that do amplify fire danger, regardless of placement. The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains has grants for the removal of hazardous vegetation, such as arson grasses, palms, junipers and Pride of Madeira.
Following Safer from Wildfire guidelines can also help prevent insurance losses due to fire danger and also mitigate price increases.
What if I can’t make changes. For example, if there are large trees near my home but they are a protected species?
Effective wildfire preparations involve layering the defenses most applicable to your circumstances. First and foremost, steps taken to reduce your home’s receptivity to fire are considered the most effective way to prevent its ignition. Think Home First and directly address your structure’s vulnerabilities.
Within the landscape, pay particular attention to Zone 0, the first five feet from the home. If you have established trees in this area, begin trimming them with the goal of keeping branches five feet from the side of the home and more than ten feet from the roof.
It is not uncommon to see trees as threats, yet they are incredibly important for fire defense. They can catch embers, sometimes even extinguishing them in a well-hydrated canopy. For them to play this role, they need to be well maintained. This means regular trimming and prioritizing their hydration in low water years.
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Are there specific design considerations for creating defensible space on sloped terrain?
There are two considerations that drive our designs on sloped properties in high fire severity areas – the way fire moves on them, and slide prevention.
Fire moves faster uphill, so we pay close attention to what sits on slopes below homes we aim to protect. If there are nearby homes or structures, we plant to block the embers that would be cast if those structures were to ignite. We plant native foliage of varying heights known to have strong heat resistance. While all plants will burn once their hydration evaporates, the best foliage may slow fire’s progress, buying residents and fire fighters critical moments.
Next, we look to retain slopes with retaining walls and deep rooting native foliage, as rains can quickly destabilize a denuded slope. Dwarf Coyote Bush is particularly effective at both slope retention and fire resistance. We like to punctuate it with other slope-stabilizing native plants – Manzanitas and Yucca Whipplei are favorites. We avoid and remove succulents, including agaves and aloes, as their shallow, simple roots are known to destabilize slopes.
Can you recommend a fire resistant ground cover to replace grass lawn?
We recommend several IdealMow lawn materials that need less than 20 percent of the water consumed by traditional lawns when supported by smart irrigation. If you don’t mow, they simply grow to form beautiful, wildlife-supporting meadows. A few can be seen at Sierra Madre City Hall.
Caution: Don’t plant synthetic turf! It is not allowed in the five feet closest to homes – Zone 0 – and for good reason. Even those advertising fire resistance are made of petroleum products. They will all eventually burn, and when they do they produce dangerous, toxic smoke.
What is Zone 0?
A compliant Zone 0 has only ember resistant materials at the ground-level in the five feet closest to the home. Just what is ember resistant? Check our our Zone 0 FAQ for detail – you may be pleasantly surprised!
How can we prepare a home where there is little room available for defensible space?
In many LA neighborhoods, yards are smaller than the published defensible space ideals. Where there is less landscape, the other layers of protection, hardening the home and working as a community, take on greater importance. Each hardened home protects the next.
What low-cost help is available for seniors who can’t do the work themselves?
There are many grants available for related work, and we suspect more are on their way.
Beyond grants, it behooves neighbors to look out for one another. Every prepared home helps defend neighboring properties. The creation of a Firewise Council is a great opportunity to ask for help.
Sources and Resources
Cal Fire: Custom Wildfire Preparedness Plan
Cal Fire: Prepare for Fire: Smart Landscaping
California Insurance Commission: Safer from Wildfire Grants Available!
California OES: Grants Available!
IBHS: Wildfire Prepared Home Self-Assessment
IBHS: Wildfire Preparation Resources
FormLA Landscaping | YouTube: Fire Defensive Home Tours
Good Morning America: How Plants Can Save Your Home
Good Morning America: Demo Shows How to Protect Your Home from Wildfire
Good Morning America: Ways to Reduce Fire Risk
LA County Fire Department: Ready, Set, Go!
LA County Fire Department: Fire Zone Map
RCDSMM: DefensibleSpace.org
RCDSMM: Home Ignition Zone Evaluation Program
RCDSMM: Grants Available!
National Fire Protection Association: Work with Teen Programs
National Fire Protection Association: Firewise USA Toolkit Download
California Fire Safe Councils: Take Community Action, Improve Insurance Outcomes