GARDENINGWITH

WILDFIREThe art and science of fire-wise landscaping

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. ZONE THEORY

II. DESIGN & METHODS

III. PLANTS & PREVENTION

ZONE THEORY

1: Garden Zone

2: Fuel break

3: Transition Zone

4: Natural Zone

ZONE 1: GARDEN ZONE• Distance = 30 ft. from home & structures

• Goals:• Withstand flying embers• Survive temperatures 900°F – 1300°F• A place to fight the fire

• Planting Recommendations:• Broad leaves• Supple / moist• Beauty and recreation

ZONE 2: GREEN BELT / FUEL BREAK• Distance = 31 - 70 ft. from structures

+ 10 ft. for every 10% increase in slope

• Goals:• Reduce vertical fuels• Should stop a ground fire

• Planting Recommendations:• Plants should be ≤ 18”• Driveways kept clear• Low growth, fuel, and maintenance• Screens/windbreaks kept isolated from other

large plants

ZONE 3: TRANSITION ZONE• Distance = 71 - 120 ft. from structures

+ 10 ft. for every 10% increase in slope

• Goals:• Should dramatically slow a fire

• Planting Recommendations:• Create barriers• Control erosion• Enhance wildlife presence

ZONE 4: NATURAL ZONE• Distance = 121 ft. and beyond

+ 10 ft. for every 10% increase in slope

• Goals:• Reduce severity of a fire• Ensure landscape is safe to neighbors• Maintain ecological integrity

• Recommendations:• Prescribed fire• Mechanical veg treatment

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

I. Keep it Simple• A low maintenance landscape remains effective

II. Entrances & Exits• Need ease of access• Readily identifiable – at least 6 ft wide• Ideal ground surfaces: concrete, wood, crushed rock, compacted earth

III. Islands, not Lines• Breaks up vegetation and fuels

IV. Patient Planting• Don’t plant in dense quantities – think of mature plant sizes

DEFENSIBLE SPACE

Landscape Type 0 – 20% 21 – 40% ≥ 41%

Herbaceous w/ some shrubs 30 ft 100 ft 100 ft

Shrubs 100 ft 200 ft 200 ft

Trees w/o understory 30 ft 100 ft 200 ft

PLANTS FOR HILLS• Plant fuels should be kept to a minimum

• Best Plants to use = produce little fuel , low growing , easy to maintain

• Avoid shrubs with twiggy interiors & produce a lot of litter & seeds

• Shrubs > 18” not recommended

• Choose ground-hugging plants• Slows erosion• Slows growth of weeds