The way you landscape a residential development can significantly impact its fire resistance. Here’s how to plan your landscaping to reduce fire risks:
- Choose Non-Combustible Trees: Reduce or remove evergreen trees like pine and spruce near the home, as they are highly combustible. Opt for deciduous trees with low flammability, such as aspen, poplar, and birch, which are much safer choices.
- Tree Proximity & Fire Risk: Consider the placement of trees around your home. Think about what would happen if a nearby tree catches fire. Keep all trees, long grass, shrubs, logs, branches, twigs, and needles at least 10 meters away from your house.
- Sprinkler Systems: Install sprinkler systems in key areas to help control potential fires before they spread to the home.
- Fencing Safety: If you have combustible fencing (wood), ensure there is a 1.5-meter metal gate or a break between the wood fence and the home’s exterior wall to prevent fire from spreading.
By making mindful choices in your landscaping, you can create a defensible space that protects homes from wildfires.