Designing for Forest Fires
February 2025
Every year it seems to be getting hotter and hotter, and fires are more present in the Willamette Valley due to historic fire management practices and climate change. While the discussion of forest fires can be quite gloomy, it is our job as landscape architects to consider and plan for the future, whatever that may look like. And for us here on the West Coast that means planning strategically for forest fires.
You may be wondering, how are we designing more fire-resistant yards on a residential level? There are many steps to be taken. Not all firefighting methods may be appropriate for your yard and as designers we balance those considerations with other sustainable design elements, aesthetics and utility.
Some fire prevention methods include plant material selection, creating fire defensible zones around your home by limiting fuel sources and “fuel ladders”, and providing water sources for fire suppression. We can use a combination of native and non-native fire-resistant plants. While all plants will eventually burn, there are some that possess certain properties that make them less flammable. Some of those typical characteristics include supple leaves with high water content, watery sap with little odor, plants with an open branching structure, and thick bark that does not peel away from the trunk. Keeping plants healthy can protect them from pests and fire.
At Clement Walsh Landscape Architect, Inc, we carefully design irrigation systems to ensure plant and lawn water needs are met, thus leading to healthier plants. Design programming and material selection can help create a fire defensible zone around your house, protecting it in the event of a wildfire. “Fuel ladders” is a common term used in fire-scape design. It means thinking about what could be used as kindling in the landscape that fires could use to grow to reach trees and your home. Keeping fuel sources (like trees) away from bigger structures is one way to help keep your house and your property safe. Water features like pools and ponds can also serve as a water source for firefighting efforts. These are just a few design elements that can be incorporated into your property to make it resistant to a potential forest fire.
At large, intense forest fires are becoming more and more common around us, and it’s important to be prepared. At Clement Walsh Landscape Architect, Inc. we see this as an opportunity to create dynamic, engaging spaces that are responsive to our evolving environment. Please reach out to us to at