Trees and landscape plants are objects of beauty during times of normal rainfall. During times of drought, however, these plants can be a great danger to property. For greater protection, precautions should be taken — the key to protecting your property is to create a defensible space against wildfires. These tips can help you prepare such a space.

• Mow grass very short, and rake and remove grass, leaves and other flammable materials within 30 feet of your house.
• If possible, create a firebreak between your house and potential sources of wildfire. The idea is to deprive a fire of its fuel, so it will not be able to continue burning.
• Remove flammable materials, such as leaves, from the roof and gutters. Burning embers can be carried on the wind for great distances and will easily ignite fine fuels.
• Trim overhanging tree branches away from the roof and chimney. 
• Prune tree branches to 10 feet or more above the ground to reduce the possibility of surface fires spreading into tree crowns. Pay particular attention to trees within 100 feet of your house, which might carry a fire in your direction. Keep tall brush and grass short under these trees to keep the fire from spreading into the tree crowns.
• Replace highly flammable vegetation such as pine, evergreen, junipers and fir trees with lower-growing, less-flammable species.
• Watering the grass and other plants in your yard is good for decreasing the chance of fire, but also beneficial because plants need the water during droughts.

Charles Rohla
Horticulturist - NF3