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Fire-Tolerant Plants

© Keith Muraoka

The hills may not be alive with the "sound of music." But especially this time of year -- with illegal fireworks from those celebrating the Fourth -- the hills may be alive with the "sound of fire" as this year's peak fire season is upon us.

This is just another reason to thank El Nino. The abundant rains, which lasted well into June for many California residents, prompted unusually high growth of natural grasses, weeds, etc., in our California hills. And the hot months of July, August and September typically are the most dangerous months for wildfires.

Hillside and rural residents can breathe easier, however, knowing that proper landscaping can go a long way toward fire protection. Basically, defensible space can be defined by the 3 R's: remove fuel, reduce fuel and replace fire-hazardous plants with fire-resistant landscaping.

Flammable native brush and grasses can be replaced with plants that are inherently less flammable than others. Of course, that means you have to remove the "fuel" around your home first. Weeds, native brush need to be removed. The easiest way to get rid of weeds is to weed-eat them with a string trimmer, and then spray with a contact killer, such as Finale or Roundup. Reduce fuel by pruning shrubs and trees left within your defensible space.

As far as replacing them with fire-resistant landscaping, please note right up front that all plants will burn if exposed to enough heat. But most fleshy-leaved plants and succulents will smolder a lot longer before burning. Their foliage contains none of the oils that make native brush literally explode in flames.

The fire-retardant plant list includes groundcovers to use on slopes as a fire break. A cleared area or an area with fire-retardant plants should stretch as far as possible -- 30 to 400 feet from the house -- for maximum benefit. California law requires the 30-foot defensible space around all structures. However, that space should be increased all the way up to 400 feet down slopes on steep parcels. The greenbelt should also include a hedge of fire-retardant plants and trees. This "wall" will help deflect the force of flames and slow their advance.

Among the most common groundcovers are: iceplant, sedum, ivy geranium, African daisy, myoporum, periwinkle (Vinca major or minor), ornamental strawberry, rosemary and star jasmine.

Some shrubs with fire resistance are: wild lilac (ceanothus), australian fuchsia, strawberry tree, live oak, saltbrush, western red bud, cotoneaster, escallonia, toyon, oleander, pyracantha, rockrose, raphiolepis and pittosporum.

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