Invasive plants often increase fire risk due to their rapid growth, high density, and tendency to create excessive fuel for fire.
Here is what you can do:
Zone 0 (0-5 feet from structures)
● Prioritize removing all vegetation from this zone to protect structures from fire
● Remove all invasive vines and climbing plants like ivy from building walls
● Consider installing metal edging to prevent invasive roots from spreading into this zone
● Regularly inspect for and remove any new invasive seedlings, especially after rain
Zone 1 (5-30 feet) & Zone 2 (30-100 feet)
● Remove invasive plants before they set seed and replace with California natives, pollinator plants, or low-water use plants
● Prioritize removing woody and dense invasives such as broom, bamboo, and pampas grass to reduce the amount of fuel available to fire
● Remove invasive vine growth from trees to help prevent fire reaching tree canopies
● When replacing invasives with new plants, use appropriate spacing based on the distance from any structures and the slope of the ground
● Cover bare soil with fire-smart mulch to prevent weeds and other opportunistic plants from establishing
● Continually monitor cleared areas for new growth
For more information on fire-smart landscaping, visit the UC Marin Master Gardeners website.
