Fire Resistant Landscapes?

 Climate change and burning landscapes have been a frightening lesson to most of us, especially those recent California fires.  

The terrible Australia bushfires and the California wildfires have been horrendous to watch.  When this episode of Gardening Australia about a fire resistant landscape appeared, it seemed a timely one to share.  

The owners of the property have been working on their property since the 1980s, but in the mid 1990s, increasing temperatures and drought created even more numerous and destructive bushfires.  Eventually, the owners decided their original plantings had to go, and they began looking for ways to create a more fire resistant landscape.

The owners are obviously wealthy, but their new landscaping has still taken time to create.  Nevertheless, while their methods may not be easily available for small homeowners, if future planning, construction (and reconstruction) is taken into consideration, it might be possible for fire prone areas to reduce some of the danger.  California and other states that experience ever more frequent and more devastating fires,  might consider some of the ideas that this couple employed.

Maybe both federal and state governments need to consider implementing some of the ideas around entire communities that have already suffered tremendous loss.  If they have to rebuild, why not consider planning for future fires.  Because it seems they are coming.

I can't seem to embed the video, but this link should take you there.  One of the most interesting things was having aloes, succulents, cactus, and other water filled plants that don't ignite and avoiding plants that burn freely.   It is a different kind of landscaping for many people, but if you live in an area prone to wildfires, it would be beneficial.