Using Grass to Create a Green Fire Break Around Your Home

Thousands of BC residents around Kelowna, BC are heading home this week after a big scare with some out-of-control wildfires. It looks like they’re safe, this time. Wildfires are no stranger to BC and Alberta; in the last 10 years, we’ve had 2,500 of them. For property owners in the danger zone, summers can always spark a bit of stress in the back of your mind. But did you know that a well-maintained and watered grass lawn could be one of your best defenses against fire?

British Columbia’s FireSmart Manual explains:

The first 10 metres of space around your home is your “First Priority”. It’s the most critical area to consider for fire protection. A good fuel free space gives firefighters a chance to save your home from an advancing fire…

What to do?

Remove any shrubs, trees, deadfall or woodpiles from this area and keep your grass mowed and watered.

Note that a well-watered lawn or non-combustible landscape material has a fire hazard of zero on the FireSmart Manual’s Scale. In contrast, uncut wild grass or shrubs within 10 metres of your home could have a rating of 30, which is a high hazard.

The cooler weather over this weekend has given BC and Alberta residents a bit of a break for now, but we’re not out of the woods yet. Keep your grass lawn mowed regularly and watered!

Water Your Grass Sod Lawn to Create a Safer “Green Zone” to Protect from Fire

If you’ve just installed a new grass turf lawn, you’ll need to start watering immediately, within 30 minutes of installation. Make sure it’s moist down to the first 6 inches below the surface of our lawn. Water in the morning, as you’ll save water and ensure the ground doesn’t get too soggy.

During fire season, you may be tempted to overwater your lawn. Don’t give in to that temptation. Water your lawn as much as it needs to stay healthy. If you overwater your lawn, you can actually kill your grass with disease or fungus. Dead grass can actually contribute to the problem of a fire, since it’s easier for the fuel to catch fire!

Your green grass turf lawn isn’t just nice to look at; it could be your first or last defense against a wildfire threatening your home. Take care of your grass sod and it will help take care of you.