Firescaping: The Basics

Firescaping is the art and science of creating a firesafe and aesthetically pleasing landscape.

What do you think of when you hear the word “firescape?”

Maybe a cleared lot… perhaps a rock landscape? Either way, making one’s home firesafe need not mean a desolate, uninteresting yard. In fact, just the opposite is true. 

Many plants can actually extinguish embers that land in the 30 foot safety zone. Native grasses with summer irrigation can add a low fuel, ecologically healthy, and texture enhancing feature.

Ultimately firescaping consists of three steps:

1) Dividing a property into fire zones 1, 2, and 3

2) Removing flammable plants from zones 1 and 2

3) Adding fire resistant plants to zones 1 and 2

And that’s the basics!