FireWise Landscaping in the Phoenix Valley

Creating a Firewise landscape plan in Phoenix, Arizona, involves designing your property to reduce the risk of wildfires while maintaining a functional, aesthetically pleasing environment. With the combination of dry desert climate, high winds, and the ever-present risk of wildfires, especially in the summer months, having a firewise landscape plan is essential. The goal is to slow or stop the spread of fire to your home by creating defensible space and choosing appropriate plant materials and design features.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a Firewise landscape plan in Phoenix:

1. Assess the Property and Fire Risk

• Identify areas of concern: Walk around your property to look for fire hazards. Pay attention to areas with dry vegetation, dense plant growth, and proximity to trees or brush that could serve as fuel for a fire.

• Consider fire history: Look at past fire activity in the area, including where fires have historically started and how they spread.

• Evaluate terrain: The slope of your property matters. Fires spread faster on uphill slopes. In general, flatter areas are less prone to rapid fire spread.

2. Create a Defensible Space (Use the 3-Zone System)

Firewise landscaping is typically broken into three zones, each with its own set of guidelines:

Zone 1: The Immediate Area Around the Home (0-5 feet)

• Keep it clear: This zone should be free of combustible materials, such as dry leaves, grass, wood piles, and dead plants.

• Fire-resistant plants: Choose plants that are low-growing, moist, and have a low oil content. Some fire-resistant plants for Phoenix include:

  • Agave (such as Agave parryi)

  • Aloe Vera

  • Yucca (such as Yucca filamentosa)

  • Cactus species (like prickly pear and barrel cactus)

  • Succulents (like trailing jade or desert marigold)

• Hardscaping: Use non-combustible materials like gravel, decomposed granite, flagstone, or concrete for pathways and patios. Consider using metal, stone, or brick for any structures like walls or fences in this zone.

• Mulch: Avoid wood or bark mulch, which can catch fire easily. Instead, opt for gravel or rock mulch.

Zone 2: The Intermediate Zone (5-30 feet from the home)

• Create spacing: Space trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart to prevent the spread of fire from one plant to another.

• Prune trees: Trim the lower branches of trees up to at least 6-10 feet to prevent ground fires from climbing into the trees.

• Fire-resistant plants: Include more drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plants in this zone, such as:

  • Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)

  • Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)

  • Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi)

  • Cholla Cactus

• Manage vegetation height: Keep plants low and spaced out to reduce the amount of fuel for fire. Also, prune shrubs to maintain air circulation, which helps prevent fires from spreading.

• Irrigation: Ensure that this zone is irrigated enough to keep plants green and healthy, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to other hazards like pests.

Zone 3: The Outer Zone (30-100 feet or more from the home)

• Fire breaks: In this zone, create breaks in vegetation, such as open spaces or gravel paths, that can act as fire barriers.

• Fuel reduction: If possible, create defensible space by removing any highly flammable shrubs and trees that are close to your property line. Cut back any dry or dead vegetation regularly.

• Spacing trees: Ensure trees are spaced 10-30 feet apart depending on their size to slow fire spread.

• Mow regularly: Grass in this area should be regularly mowed to reduce the risk of fires spreading quickly. Grass should be kept below 4 inches in height, especially during the dry summer months.

3. Fire-Resistant Landscaping Features

• Use gravel and stone: Consider incorporating gravel, decomposed granite, or flagstone around the home and along paths to act as a firebreak and help prevent fire spread.

• Fire-resistant fencing: If you have a fence, consider using fire-resistant materials such as metal or masonry instead of wood. If you do use wood, ensure it’s set away from your house.

• Water features: Adding a pond or fountain near the house (and not directly adjacent to the home) can help create a moisture barrier and add a beautiful aesthetic. Avoid placing these too close to vegetation to prevent electrical issues or water loss.

4. Choosing Fire-Resistant Plants

Phoenix’s arid climate doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beauty for safety. When selecting plants, focus on those that are low-growing, have high moisture content, and are less likely to ignite. Some good examples include:

• Perennials: Desert marigold, red yucca, globe mallow, and trailing lantana are good fire-resistant options.

• Cacti and succulents: As these plants store water, they are much less likely to catch fire than dry, woody shrubs or trees.

• Low-growing shrubs: Consider using rosemary (when kept well-watered), desert spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri), and other drought-tolerant shrubs.

Avoid highly flammable plants like:

• Juniper

• Pine trees

• Eucalyptus

• Palm trees

• Sumac

5. Watering System and Irrigation

• Maintain healthy vegetation: Ensure that plants are regularly watered to prevent them from drying out, especially during Phoenix’s hot summer months. An efficient irrigation system, such as drip irrigation, will ensure plants get the water they need without over-saturating or wasting resources.

• Keep lawn areas moist: Healthy, irrigated grass can help break up fuel continuity in your yard and reduce the spread of fire.

6. Pruning and Maintenance

• Remove dead and dry vegetation: Regularly remove dead leaves, branches, or dead plants that could serve as tinder. This includes dead cactus needles, dry leaves from trees, and fallen branches.

• Prune regularly: Trim trees and shrubs regularly to remove deadwood and lower branches. Keep trees at least 10 feet apart and ensure the canopies do not touch.

7. Create Fire Breaks

• Pathways and driveways: Wide gravel or concrete driveways and pathways can help act as natural fire breaks. These should be at least 4-5 feet wide to prevent fire from jumping over.

8. Be Aware of the Wind

• Phoenix is prone to strong winds, particularly during certain parts of the year. Winds can spread embers far from the original fire source. Ensure that you have breaks and buffers on your property to help slow down fires if embers are carried toward your home.

9. Additional Resources

• Phoenix Fire Department: Check with the Phoenix Fire Department for additional resources on creating defensible space and fire-safe landscaping.

• Firewise USA: This national program provides resources for homeowners to make their homes and landscapes safer from wildfire.

By following these Firewise landscaping principles, you can significantly reduce the risk of a wildfire reaching your home and help protect your property in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The key is to stay vigilant, maintain your landscape regularly, and choose fire-resistant materials and plants for both safety and aesthetic value.