What is Firescaping?

Firescaping is landscape design using ornamental plants with fire resistant qualities and low fuel volume and managing existing native or ornamental vegetation to enhance fire safety.

Firescaping reduces house and property vulnerability to wildfire.  The goal is to develop a landscape with a design and choice of plants that offers the best fire protection and enhances the property.  Surround the house with things that are less likely to burn.  Appropriate management of the landscape can make a significant contribution towards wildfire survival.

There is no such thing as a plant that will not burn . . .
But some plants are more fire resistant than others.
 

Lawns Can Be Effective in Firescaping

Extensive areas of turfgrass may not be right for everyone.  Some good alternatives include clover, groundcovers, and conservation grasses that are kept green during the fire season through irrigation.

Characteristics of Fire Resistant Plants

• Little accumulation of dead vegetation
• Open, loose branching
• Non-resinous, oily or waxy
• Low volume of total vegetation
• High moisture content
• Slow growing