Great Plains Gardening

By Edith Koeller

June 27, 2003

News of the Arizona wild fires brings to mind last year’s terrible dryness in this area, and all the wild fires Colorado was enduring. Looking out my window at all the green grass it is easy to forget that there is still fire danger, even in our area. With wheat harvest approaching the danger of wheat field fires will be something to consider.

I remember lightning strikes starting prairie fires---and wheat field fires that had to be fought. Some fires threatening farmsteads. These fires were terrifying to me as a child, even though no fires came close to our house. Until recently it never occurred to me that one could landscape their property to be more fire resistant. CSU Extension office has a number of fact sheets dealing with this very thing and I will be quoting from some of them in this article. This information will probably be more useful for those of you in the rural areas, although remembering the fire that threatened the western part of Lamar in the spring of 2002 it might be something to keep in mind for those who live on the edge of towns also.

"Two factors have emerged as the primary determinants of a home’s ability to survive wild fire." This is applicable to all structures on the property. "These are the home’s roofing material and the quality of the defensible space surrounding it. Defensible space is an area around a structure where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure. It also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from the building to the surrounding area."

Creating an effective defensible space involves developing a series of management zones in which different treatment techniques are used. Develop defensible space around each building on your property, including detached garages, storage buildings barns and other structures in your plan."

Defensible space consists of 3 management zones. "Zone l is the area of maximum modification and treatment. It consists of an area of 15 feet around the structure in which all flammable vegetation is removed. This 15 feet is measured from the outside edge of the home’s eaves and any attached structures, such as decks. Plant nothing within 3 to 5 feet of the structure, particularly if the building is sided with wood, logs or other flammable materials. Decorative rock creates an attractive, easily maintained, nonflammable ground cover. If the house has non-combustible siding, widely spaced foundation plantings of low growing shrubs or other fire wise plants are acceptable. Do not plant directly beneath windows or ne to foundation vents. Frequently prune and maintain plants in this zone to ensure vigorous growth and a low growth habit. Remove dead braches, stems, and leaves. Ideally, remove all trees from Zone 1 to reduce fire hazards. If you do keep a tree, consider it part of the structure and extend the distance of the entire defensible space accordingly. Isolate the tree from any other surrounding trees. Prune it to at least 10 feet above the ground. Remove any branches that interfere with the roof or are within 10 feet of the chimney. Remove all ladder fuels from beneath the tree. Ladder fuels are small shrubs, trees, tree limbs and other materials that allow fire to climb into the tree crown—the branches and foliage."

"Zone 2 is an area of fuel reduction designed to reduce the intensity of any fire approaching your home. Follow these recommended management steps. Thin trees and large shrubs so there is at least 10 feet between crowns. Crown separation is measured from the furthest branch of one tree to the nearest branch on the next tree. Carefully prune trees to a height of 10 feet. Because Zone 2 is a buffer between Zone 1 and 3, it is necessary to blend in the requirement for these zones. Mow grasses as needed through the growing season. Isolated shrubs may remain, provided they are not under tree crown. Prune and maintain these plants periodically to maintain vigorous growth. Locate firewood stacks at least 30 feet away from structures and clear and keep away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of these piles. Locate propane tanks at least 30 feet away from structures and clear away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of the tank. Do not screen tanks with shrubs or vegetation. The size of Zone 2 depends on the slope of the ground where the structure is built. Typically the defensible space should extend at least 75 to 125 feet from the structure."(CSU Fact sheet #6.302)

Zone 3 is of no specific size. It extends from the defensible space to your property lines. Fact sheet #6.302 is more oriented to properties located in forested areas, but the ideas are applicable to any area.

"Many people resist creating defensible space around homes because they believe these areas will be unattractive and unnatural. With careful planning, Fire Wise landscaping can be pleasing while reducing potential wildfire fuel. There are no truly "fireproof" plant species, so choice, spacing and maintenance are critical. Where and how you plant may be more important than what you plant. Choose plant species that tend to be more resistant to wildfire. Plants that are more resistant to wildfire have one or more of the following characteristics: They grow without accumulating large amounts of combustible dead braches, needles or leaves. They have open, loose branches with a low volume of total vegetation. They have low sap or resin content. They have high moisture content. They grow slowly and need little maintenance. They are short and grow close to the ground. They can resprout following fire, thus reducing relandscaping costs." (CSU Fact sheet #6.305)

A Fire Wise Plant List for flowers and ground covers, shrubs, and large shrubs and trees are included in fact sheet #6.305. There is not room for listing all of them here, so if you are interested please contact the Extension Office for a copy.

Remember even the smallest measures taken to protect your property will help to withstand a fire, Even if one thinks that a fire is not likely to happen, by using proper planning of plants and spacing one can have a pleasing environment and still be more prepared…just in case.

Until next time…