Marin IJ Articles

Planning for a fire-smart landscape in 2021

• Fay Mark

• Our climate is changing, our residential communities are closer to our forests and our forests have a lot of fuel.  The combination of these factors has led to increasing numbers of catastrophic wildland fires.  We need to find better ways to manage our residential property to help protect our homes, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our aesthetics and install gravel.  We can have gardens and landscaping with pleasing variations in color and textures that complement our homes and protect and encourage wildlife.  All we will need to do is be more vigilant with plant care and property maintenance to reduce fuel on your property. 

  What better time than January to make garden planning and maintenance resolutions for the 2021 fire season?  

  Resolution #1: 

  Remove combustible material under your deck.  That is, anything that will burn such as construction materials, recreational equipment, tools, brooms, even plastic plant containers from the nursery. Even though it  may be convenient during the cold winter months to have a firewood pile close to your home, move it at least 30 feet away for fire safety.

  

  Do not store combustible materials under your deck. Photo Credit: UC Regents

  Resolution #2:

  Slow, spread and sink the winter rains.  Using permeable materials in your garden and around your home such as stones or pavers allow water to flow through to the soil.  These materials also act as fuel breaks that can stop fire from spreading.  Ideally, the pathway to and around the foundation of your home will be permeable materials which complement your existing landscape.

  

  A dry creek bed gives water a chance to percolate into the soil. Photo Credit: GardenSoft

  Resolution #3:

  Take care of your plants.  Plants, bushes and trees that thrive will be more resilient to heat and embers from a wildland fire.  A fire-smart landscape is a healthy landscape.  Starting five feet from the perimeter of your home observe the sun exposure, climate conditions and soil type which will inform your choice of plants and their placement on your property.  Native plants are well suited to our Mediterranean climate, are easy to care for, require little water once established and require little or no maintenance.  When choosing plants, consider their mature size and space them appropriately in the garden in relation to neighboring plants.

  Plants that have to compete with their neighbors for soil nutrients and sunlight are not going to be as healthy as those that have all of the nutrients they need. Keeping your plants thinned and pruned of dried and diseased wood keeps the plant healthy, decreases fuel and increases space between plant groupings.  Spacing in a fire-smart landscape is key in preventing flames from hop-scotching from one plant to another or climbing from the ground into a tree canopy.  Remember to protect tender plants during the various seasons; cover them on frosty nights and keep them well hydrated during the hot or windy summer and fall days.

  

  A fire-smart healthy landscape incorporates well-spaced & maintained native plants displaying variations in colors & textures. Photo: GardenSoft

  Resolution #4: 

  Tune-up your irrigation system.  Water is a precious resource.  Keep plants properly hydrated using just the necessary amount of water to help them thrive.

  Resolution #5:

  Protect and encourage wildlife.  As you plan and care for your fire-smart landscape, not only are you protecting your home, but you are also protecting wildlife and providing habitat.  The amount and types of plants in your property, and how you care for them, play a critical role in determining the abundance and diversity of wildlife they will support.

  Resolution #6:

  Commit to keeping your landscape neat, well-groomed, and free of excess fuel throughout the year.

  We’re all looking forward to 2021 and what better place to start than close to home!