July is the Time to Act–Assess and Maintain

With July’s long days, warm winds, and rising temperatures, it's more important than ever to evaluate your landscape for fire risks. Fire-smart landscaping isn’t just about creating a well-spaced yard that is aesthetically pleasing, thoughtful maintenance can mean the difference between a fire-resistant garden and one that becomes fuel in a wildfire.

Begin with a thorough walk-through of your property. Fire-smart landscaping is most effective when it's done by zones, starting closest to your home:

Zone 0 (0–5 feet from your home): This is your most critical zone. Fire safety experts strongly advise that Zone 0 remain free of vegetation, combustible mulch, and other flammable materials.

Clear dead leaves, needles, and debris from gutters, roofs, and between deck boards and crevices. Check corners around your house and hard-to-reach areas where leaves and debris tend to collect. Over time, these areas can quietly accumulate fuel for fire. Check for new debris accumulation frequently.

Zone 1 (5–30 feet): This area still poses a high risk  The goal is to reduce the potential heat and flames near your home and create space for the fire department to defend your home.

To maintain this area, first, remove all dead or dying plants and plant debris, and prune out dead and dying branches. Look carefully under shrubs and groundcovers for dry thatch and hidden dead material. A well-maintained plant can be harder for embers to ignite than one surrounded by dead, dry material.

Next, check your space between plants and plant groupings to help interrupt and slow fire spread toward your house.  Did plants grow larger than you expected and are they encroaching on your planned fire-smart spacing? Consider pruning and/or removing select plants to ensure adequate spacing is maintained.

Create horizontal space by removing weeds and breaking up mulched areas with some gravel, stones, or leave bare soil, which can be a valuable habitat, including for our native solitary bees.

Maintaining vertical space between ground-level plants and tree branches is important to prevent fire from spreading from ground vegetation into tree canopies. Remove lower tree branches and/or shorten the plants below them.

As you prune excess plant growth, re-evaluate your long-term plant choices and spacing plan. Plant choice and placement are key factors determining your level of ongoing maintenance.

Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Spacing of plant groupings is still important, however, plantings can be closer together in this zone. Prune to maintain separation between shrubs and tree canopies so a fire has fewer chances to move upward or outward.

Mow grasses down to a maximum of 4 inches.

Want to learn about pruning?

Check out our “Watch & Learn" YouTube videos for short and simple pruning advice. Or, sign up for our “Intro to Aesthetic Pruning” Zoom class held on August 6th from 10:00 to 1:00.

Visit the UC Marin Master Gardeners website for detailed guidance on fire-smart landscaping and ways to make your property safer, greener, and more resilient.

Take Advantage of Chipper Days!

Need to dispose of your garden debris? Request an Individual Chipper for you and your neighborhood. This is a free and easy way to safely remove excess material. Make a reservation.