PRETTY AND POWERFUL
Consider native plants in your fire-smart landscape
Sparked by the increasing number and intensity of wildfires, the California Legislature has passed laws regarding fuel modification in areas surrounding structures. One looks at the 100-foot area surrounding a structure (or to a property line). Another passed in 2020 (AB-3074) considers an “ember-resistant” zone from zero to 5 feet of a structure. These laws have become codified as California Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291 and are scheduled to become effective Jan. 1, 2023 for new construction and the following year for existing structures. PRC 4291 defines “fuel” as any combustible material including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, weeds and wildland vegetation.
Of particular interest to gardeners is a requirement in the code that the board and state fire marshal develop a guidance document that “shall include, but not be limited to, regionally appropriate vegetation management suggestions that preserve and restore native species that are fire resistant or drought tolerant, or both, minimize erosion, minimize
water consumption, and permit trees near homes for shade aesthetics, and habitat.”
We spoke with UC master gardener Bob Mauceli, who frequently gives public seminars on fire-smart landscaping, and Steven Swain, Marin environmental horticulture advisor, about the reason for using native plants in a fire-smart garden.
“We don't rely on plant species for fire resistance,” Swain says. “Instead, we rely on maintenance and landscape design, on watering and pruning.
We choose natives because they have the least environmental impact. If you're living near a wildland urban interface, why not support the wildland?”
When you think about which native plants to place where, the Master Gardeners' basic suggestions for fire-smart garden design with any plants apply:
• Create horizontal and vertical spacing to minimize flames spreading from one plant to another.
• Know that flames can rise three times the height of a plant.
• Separate plantings with hardscape.
• Remove dead and dry branches and plant debris.
• And close to the house, eliminate things that embers might land on and easily catch fire.
PRC 4291 guidelines for the ember-resistant, 0- to 5-foot area aren't released yet, but well-kept, low-growing, herbaceous (non-woody) plants separated by pebbles or rocks, and low-growing potted plants in non-combustible pots might be allowed depending on where you live and your type of house. In terms of natives, such succulents as Dudleya, Stonecrop and Lewisia might work — plants that stay green through the summer with little water. Or short annuals and bulbs that you can cut back before fire season.
Know, though, that the final guidelines for the state code will be a baseline. Counties, cities and local fire agencies could have stricter defensible space rules — your local fire agency will be your authority.
Farther from the house, consider size, height and ease of maintenance. Within the 5to 30-foot area, Mauceli sug