What Is Firescaping? Plus How to Use It to Defend Your Home Against Wildfires

2024-03-07
What Is Firescaping? Plus How to Use It to Defend Your Home Against Wildfires

As wildfires become an increasing threat across the country, homeowners are asking what they can do to protect their homes and the surrounding landscape. A third of all residents of the western U.S. live in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), the fastest-growing housing sector in the country and the most vulnerable to fire, according to Adrienne Edwards and Rachel Schleiger, authors ofFirescaping Your Home: A Manual for Readiness in Wildfire Country.

  • Adrienne Edwards, PhD, is a plant ecologist, botanist, environmental consultant, and faculty lecturer at California State University, Chico.
  • Rachel Schleiger, MS, is a plant ecologist specializing in restoration ecology. She, her family, and their property survived a deadly wildfire in 2018. She is a faculty lecturer at Butte College and California State University, Chico.

Edwards and Schleiger are co-authors of Firescaping Your Home: A Manual for Readiness in Wildfire Country.

The authors say you can implement simple and effective tips wherever you live to make your landscape more fire-smart. “[Fire] can happen anywhere,” says Edwards, “The bottom line is there’s no guarantee your house won’t burn down, but you can create a habitat to make your home as safe and beautiful as you can.”

What Is Firescaping?

Edwards defines firescaping as “the practice of creating fire-resilient landscapes by reducing fire hazards and supporting wild ecosystems.” This includes creating defensible space while fostering a healthier landscape in the soil, water, and air nourishing humans and wildlife. 

The distinction is important because many homeowners (and some insurance companies) believe the first step to becoming fire-resilient is to remove most organic matter from the landscape, ranging from mulches to trees, while Edwards and Schleiger say that plants and organic mulch slow down fire when designed properly and grown well.

“Sometimes insurance inspectors don’t understand the landscape and how wildfires work,” Edwards says. “In some cases, their policies can make your house more vulnerable to burning down by removing all the vegetation. Flying embers are the number one ignition source for structures. In a wildfire disaster, if you cut down all the vegetation all the embers are going to hit your house.”

Family First, Then Your Home

Edwards and Schleiger stress making an evacuation plan to save your loved ones in the event of fire, before doing anything else. Your wildfire action plan includes having a “go bag,” packing lists of irreplaceable items, an evacuation plan, and contact numbers.

To learn about local emergency strategies, Edwards says, “One of the strongest recommendations is to get involved with your local Fire Safe Council. If there isn’t one yet, start one.”

Although their book offers tips on protecting your house structure, the authors recommend assessing your home’s safety with a fire professional or specialized contractor.

Install an emergency sprinkler facing your deck and porch and turn it on before evacuating your home.

Designing a Fire-Smart Landscape

Think of your landscape in defense zones radiating out from your home. Research shows the first two zones have by far the greatest impact on fire safety.

Noncombustible Zone (NZ)

The first zone, the first 5 feet from your house walls, is the “Noncombustible Zone.” During fire season, there should be no combustible materials in this zone. In high fire-prone areas, this zone should span 15 feet and not include wood fencing, railings, arbors, mulch, and woody plant material.

This approach means saying goodbye to traditional foundation plantings, but you can still have seasonal color outside of fire season with spring-blooming wildflowers, ephemerals, or bulbs. Just make sure to rake away any remaining biomass before fire season, Edwards advises.

Lean, Clean, and Green Zone (LCG)

The second zone is the “Lean, Clean and Green” zone, ranging from 5 to 30 feet (more if on a slope). This area could be as large as 90 feet in a high fire-prone spot.

This is where your planting begins. Plants should be kept lean and spaced with plenty of air circulation and fire breaks. Keep the area clean of debris and the plants pruned high. Water the plants to keep them healthy and stress-free.

Instead of foundation-style solid rows of shrubbery, Edwards recommends layered but discontinuous plantings in islands broken up by noncombustible hardscapes such as bare dirt, pavers, or gravel. These paths, ideally 4 feet wide, act as fire breaks and increase wind circulation, preventing the formation of eddies of windblown leaves and plant matter where fire can take hold. Look for those eddies by seeing where leaves collect in fall, and make sure they are cleared. Keep fences—a common fire path—clear of debris and spider webs. Keep trees under 15 feet high and positioned so they would fall clear of the noncombustible zone.

“By having plants around your home and strategically planted and maintained in LCG fashion you are reducing wind speed and wind turbulence, which can reduce the circulation of embers around your home,” Edwards says. In addition, your landscape becomes much richer visually.

“The cool thing about pushing the landscaping out is that when you sit in your house, you see so much more. It’s not all jammed up against the house.”

—ADRIENNE EDWARDS

Mulch

Blanketing the ground with groundcover plantings or mulch is an important strategy for conserving water and moderating soil temperatures. Some insurance companies and municipalities discourage the use of wood mulch, but Edwards says composted wood chips were shown to be the least combustible organic mulch—while retaining water, feeding the soil ecosystem, and supporting the plants. (Rubberized bark was the worst, burning both hot and fast.) She recommends using wood mulch judiciously in the LCG zone, broken up by noncombustible sections.

Plant Choices

While much is made of which plants are the most combustible, plant positioning and maintenance are at least as important as the plants you choose. Succulents, often thought to be more fire-smart because their leaves are filled with water, can become a hazard when they accumulate dead leaves that become fuel.

Edwards and Schleiger suggest starting with your area’s native plants, which have an inherent affinity with local soil and conditions. Not only do they support local wildlife, but once established, they typically require less supplemental watering and maintenance than non-natives, saving time and money. In addition, many non-natives have become invasive, removing crucial habitat. Non-native grasses have overwhelmingly contributed to increased wildfires in the West.

Plants that are tall and fluffy and have shallow root systems, like grasses, are more flammable than plants that are low-growing and have thick leaves, tight bark, or deep roots. Use flammable plants with care, isolated from other fuels.

A New Zealand study showed that herbaceous forbs (non-grass flowering plants) were the least flammable group of plants, while grasses, trees, and shrubs were comparable.

Non-native grasses have overwhelmingly contributed to increased wildfires in the West.

Maintenance

Watering properly fosters healthier, less vulnerable plants. Edwards recommends adjusting irrigation with the weather. Smart timers can help with this. Overwatering can promote weak leafy growth that dries out quickly in the heat. (Drought-stressed plants dry out, creating more potential fuel.) Watering deeply and less frequently encourages deep rooting that can better withstand drought.

Pruning is key to promoting air circulation and breaking up potential fire pathways. Limb up trees 6 feet to avoid having branches touching the ground, thin out woody plants to open them up, and embrace negative space in your design to bring out the beauty of trees and shrubs.

“You want to find ways to disconnect the fuels both vertically and horizontally,” Edwards says.

In cool, wet seasons, the authors recommend leaving seedheads and stalks in place for wildlife habitat. In dry times, clear away dead vegetation regularly. Edwards maintains a leaf swale isolated from plantings to support local critters, which she says is usually composted away in a few months.

These are just a few of the crucial ways you can help keep your landscape and home safer in case of fire.

Sources
Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  1. Bordelon K, Punches J, Young C, Spaeth A, Kraemer L, Cleveland R. Before wildfire strikes: A guide to improving wildfire preparedness and living with fire in Hood River County. OSU Extension Service. April 2024. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9428-wildfire-strikes-guide-improving-wildfire-preparedness-living-fire-hood-river.

Related Article

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

Rose of Jericho is a unique houseplant that can survive with minimal water, making it a great option for travelers and forgetful gardeners.
21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

Color is always nice, but scale is everything when choosing miniature garden plants. Peruse our favorite picks for fairy gardens and terrariums.
13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

Create a gorgeous, pollinator-friendly garden by including these nectar-rich plants.
Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is coleus a perennial that comes back every year? That depends on where you live and how you care for it. Use these tips to enjoy coleus as a colorful perennial or annual plant.
How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

Ranunculus are favorite flowers for weddings, arrangements, and gardens. Here's how to plant and grow ranunculus.
How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

This guide on how to grow glossy abelia includes essential planting and care tips such watering, fertilizing, and pruning needs. You'll also find popular types of abelia to grow and pretty companion plants for this flowering shrub.
Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas not blooming can be a frustrating problem for gardeners. These straightforward tips will promote tons of long-lasting flowers.
10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

Mix and match these sweet potato companion plants in your vegetable beds for pest-free crops and easier gardening.
How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

Learn how to harvest mint to keep plants more manageable and gather fresh mint leaves for cooking, drying, and storing!
How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

These easy-to-follow tips will help you figure out how and when to harvest radishes for the best flavor and size. Plus, get troubleshooting advice if your radish roots aren't developing properly.
How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

Find out exactly how and when to start tomato seeds indoors so they'll be ready to transplant into your garden in spring.
Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Learn the differences between tillers and cultivators and the tasks they're best suited for.
Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Composting is a simple way to turn your kitchen and yard waste into food for your garden. But some of these items should never be in compost.
Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

With a bit of grass seed or sod, lawn repair is easy, and you’ll soon have a lush green carpet again.
What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

Tiny white bugs on plants in your home or outdoors can be a big problem. Learn how to identify and get rid of them with this guide.
How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

Protect your plants from the most common diseases. Learn to recognize the symptoms and how to prevent these diseases in the first place.
How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

Decorative rocks and stones add another element of nature to your yard, whether you grow hydrangeas, tulips, or cacti.
Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Even if you're a beginner, these simple landscape planning tips will take the mystery out of designing your yard's ideal layout.
10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

Use native plants in your garden instead of popular invasive landscape plants: See a list of common invasive plants, plus native alternatives to plant instead.
Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Use our lawn-care schedule to help you maintain a beautiful yard all year long. You'll learn exactly when to mow, aerate, fertilize, and overseed.