Fire-Smart Landscaping in Canada

| Safe Climate-Ready Gardens

As wildfires become more common across Canada, especially in rural and forested areas, it's more important than ever to design gardens that protect ours homes — not fuel the flames. Fire-smart landscaping doesn't mean sacrificing beauty. With the right plants, materials and layout choices, we can enjoy a peaceful, safe garden that reduces wildfire risk while remaining low-maintenance and sustainable.

What Makes a Garden "Fire-Smart"?

Fire-smart gardening focuses on plant selection, garden layout and fuel management to reduce how quickly fire can spread to or from our homes.

Creating defensible space (a firebreak around your home)
Choosing fire-resistant plants and materials
Reducing fuel sources like dry grasses and flammable mulch
Planning for maintenance that's simple and low-effort

Defensible Zones: Your First Line of Defense

Zone	Distance from House	What to Include	What to Avoid
Zone 1	0-1.5 meters (5 ft)	Gravel, stone walkways, irrigated lawn, concrete planters	Flammable plants (cedar, juniper), bark mulch, woodpiles
Zone 2	1.5–10 meters (5–30 ft)	Fire-resistant shrubs, well-spaced trees, raised beds	Dense plantings, cedar hedges, pine needles
Zone 3	10–30+ meters (30–100 ft)	Thinned trees, native grasses, compost bins	Thick brush, dry vegetation, flammable storage

🌿 Fire-Resistant Plants vs. Flammable Plants

✅ Fire-Resistant Plants	🚫 Highly Flammable Plants
Hostas	Cedar (especially white cedar)
Sedum	Pine and spruce
Daylilies	Juniper
Peonies	Ornamental grasses (dry)
Yarrow	Bamboo
Lilac	Eucalyptus
Snowberry	Fir trees

Materials Matter: Paths, Mulch and Structures

Material	Fire Risk	Recommend
Gravel or stone	🔥 Low	Use in pathways and near buildings
Rubber mulch	🔥🔥🔥 Very high	Avoid entirely – it melts and spreads fire
Bark mulch	🔥 Medium to high	Use sparingly, keep moist or replace with rock
Concrete/brick	🔥 None	Ideal for patios and raised beds
Wood (decks/trellises)	🔥 High	Keep clear of debris and away from structures

Simple Maintenance Tips

Rake leaves and needles monthly, especially near the house
Trim lower tree branches (at least 2m off the ground)
Water deeply but infrequently to retain moist soil
Keep grass short; use electric trimmers if needed
Store firewood at least 10m (30 ft) from any building

🇨🇦 Senior-Friendly Fire-Smart Design Tips

Install bench seating in shaded, low-risk zones

Create wide gravel paths for walkers or wheelbarrows

Use low-maintenance perennials in key planting areas

Consider automatic drip irrigation or soaker hoses for convenience

New for 2026: Gardening Updates & Guides