Choosing the Right Plants - University of Nevada, Reno

6 • UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION^

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR NORTHERN NEVADA’S HIGH FIRE HAZARD AREAS

Reducing the wildfire threat

The most important person in preventing a house from being

destroyed by wildfire is the homeowner. And, it is the actions that

a homeowner takes before a fire occurs that are critical. One of the most

important “pre-fire” activities that a homeowner can do is the creation of a

defensible space.

Defensible space is the area between a house and an oncoming wildfire

where the vegetation has been managed to reduce the wildfire threat and

allow firefighters to safely defend the house. In the event that firefighters are

not available, defensible space also improves the likelihood of a home surviv-

ing without assistance.

A key component of an effective defensible space is the selection and use of

less hazardous plants in the residential landscape. This publication presents

and describes some good landscape plant choices for northern Nevada’s high

fire hazard areas.

Why plant selection is critical

Home survival during wildfire is greatly influenced by the

characteristics of the vegetation growing adjacent to the house.

Consequently, the selection and maintenance of plants in the residential

landscape should be important considerations for Nevadans living in high

fire hazard areas. Ideally, the area within at least 30 feet of the house should

emphasize landscape plants that are difficult to ignite by burning embers,

and if ignited, do not produce sufficient heat to ignite the house. These

plants should be routinely maintained to keep them healthy, vigorous, and

free of the dead material.

Unfortunately, there are no “fireproof ” plants. Any plant will burn

if exposed to enough heat for a long enough period of time. There are, how-

ever, considerable differences among plants in regard to being a fire hazard.

Some plants are harder to ignite, generate less heat when burning, and pro-

duce shorter flames than other plants. These differences can be attributed to

both inherent characteristics, such as naturally occurring differences among

plant species, and cultural practices, such as pruning and irrigation.

A key component to an

effective defensible space

is the selection and use of

less hazardous plants in the

residential landscape.

The pre-fire activities implemented by

this homeowner included a green and

well-maintained landscape, reduction

of wildland vegetation around the

perimeter of the property, a fire-resistant

roof, and a good access road with a

turnaround area.

Photo courtesy of California Department

of Forestry and Fire Protection