Throughout this site there are links to documents of various file types. Please contact our Statewide Program Leader if you require this information in a different format.
Wildfire preparedness: Plan, Prepare, Protect
Engaging university-trained volunteers to empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship education. Read about Extension Master Gardeners in the news around Washington state.
Learn & Apply
Learn to safeguard your family, home, and community with fire-resistant landscaping practices and principles.
- How Climate Change Fuels Increasing Wildfire Disasters
- The Home Ignition Zone (Oregon State University)
- Wildfire Preparedness for Home Landscapes (.pdf)
- The Evergreen Thumb podcast – Wildfire Preparedness
- AirQualityWA – Site Map
Create a defensible space around your home.
- Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes (Oregon State University)
- Fire-Resistant Landscaping for Central Washington brochure (.pdf) This a brochure intended for print only
- Arborvitae Alternatives brochure (.pdf) This a brochure intended for print only
- Fire-Resistant Plants for Eastern Washington (Department of Natural Resources)
Impact of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program
WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers decrease the risk of loss due to wildfire by teaching fire-resistant landscaping principles.
Learn more about the public value of our impacts in our 2023 Annual Report.
Quick tips
- Create Defensible Space: Clear a buffer zone around your home by removing dead plants, leaves, and other flammable materials. Aim for at least 30 feet of defensible space.
- Use Fire-Resistant Plants: Choose plants that are less likely to catch fire, such as succulents, herbaceous plants, turf, and other plants with high moisture content.
- Maintain Your Landscape: Regularly prune trees and shrubs. Keep your lawn well-watered and mowed. Remove any dead or dry vegetation.
- Non-Flammable Ground Cover: Use materials like gravel, stone, or pavers instead of mulch or wood chips close to your home.
- Protect Your Home from Embers: Keep your roof and gutters clear of debris and consider installing gutter guards. Remove any branches that hang over your roof.
- Store Combustibles Safely: Keep firewood, propane tanks, and other flammable materials at least 30 feet away from your home.
