The trumpet vines at my grandma’s house in Malibu were as much a part of home as the ocean view. We’d sit beneath them, savoring family moments and capturing memories through photographs. The vibrant display of flowers, along with palm trees and a towering orange tree, painted a familiar picture of California life.
Then came January and the Palisades Fire. It stormed through Malibu, leaving charred remnants of furniture and garden decor in its wake. The house I cherished was gone, and so were those lovely trumpet vines.
Fire and plants don’t mix well, especially in California. Features that make our homes beautiful can also make them vulnerable to wildfires. Some common garden favorites, like bougainvillea and wisteria, can be more flammable than you’d expect. “Bougainvillea is a fire hazard due to its dry leaves,” notes Dani Brusius, a volunteer with the Ventura County Master Gardener program. She has noticed an uptick in questions about fire-safe landscaping in recent months, especially after devastating fires.
Experts from the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation also advise homeowners to rethink their landscaping. “Dead leaves and needles can ignite easily,” says Brent Woodworth, emphasizing the need for regular maintenance.
Creating a “defensible space” around homes is crucial. This concept, defined by CalFIRE, aims to establish a barrier that protects homes from fire. Homeowners in high-risk zones must adhere to state guidelines, including keeping plants well-maintained and spaced out to prevent fires from spreading.
In a notable shift, new regulations will soon require stricter landscaping measures within five feet of homes, known as “zone zero.” The regulations aim to reduce fire risk, although they could face resistance from homeowners who love their gardens.
Interestingly, some scientists believe that not all greenery is bad. Maintaining well-watered plants can serve as a barrier against wind-blown embers. Gene Potkey from CalFIRE emphasizes that smart landscaping can preserve a beautiful yard while ensuring fire safety.
Despite the loss, pockets of resilience remain. After the fire, I returned to the remains of my grandma’s home. While the vines and house were gone, the orange tree stood tall, a symbol of survival amidst destruction.
As California continues to combat wildfires, striking a balance between aesthetic beauty and safety will remain a challenge. It’s essential to adapt our gardens to be not just beautiful but also fire-smart. For more on this, visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
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Bougainvillea, Palisades Fire, Eaton fire, LA Plants, fire hazard
