Matt Acakbani of Hughes Landscaping has provided guidance on how to plant around homes to reduce wildfire risks in Australia [1, 2].
Strategic landscaping is critical for homeowners in fire-prone regions because the wrong plant choices can act as fuel, potentially accelerating the spread of a wildfire toward a residential structure.
Acakbani said that homeowners should focus on fire-resistant landscaping practices to keep their properties safe [1, 2]. This approach involves selecting specific plant species, and arranging them in a way that minimizes the risk of ignition and rapid fire spread.
Effective fire-resistant gardening requires a combination of plant selection and maintenance. By creating a buffer zone around the home, residents can reduce the likelihood of embers igniting vegetation directly against the walls of a building [1, 2].
While the specific plant list varies by region, the general goal is to avoid highly flammable shrubs and trees near the main structure. Acakbani said the objective is to use landscaping as a tool for protection rather than a liability during a fire event [1, 2].
Maintaining these gardens is as important as the initial planting. Removing dead foliage and managing grass height helps prevent the accumulation of fuel that can lead to more intense fires [1, 2]. This proactive management strategy allows homeowners to maintain aesthetic appeal while prioritizing safety.
“Strategic landscaping is critical for homeowners in fire-prone regions”
As wildfire frequency increases in Australia, the integration of fire-resistant landscaping, often called 'defensible space', shifts from a recommendation to a necessity for urban planning. By reducing the fuel load immediately adjacent to homes, residents can lower the probability of structure loss even when larger wildfires occur in the surrounding area.
