Fire-resistant landscaping workshops offered

Last October’s wildfires have left much of the county restructuring, replanting and rebuilding. As the rebuilding begins, it makes sense to choose plants and materials that are fire-resistant, thereby reducing potential risks to family and property.

Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD) and the North County Water Agencies are hosting a free three-hour “firescape” workshop for residential customers at six locations throughout North County during March and April.

Noted expert Douglas Kent, author of “Firescaping: Creating Fire-resistant Landscapes, Gardens, and Properties in California’s Diverse Environments,” educator, designer and project manager, will speak and answer questions.

Each workshop will describe the properties and landscapes that are high-risk. It will show how to make a home more accessible to a firefighter in the event of an emergency. It will also show how to minimize the chance of damage in the event of a wildfire and how to identify combustible plants.

Topics will include California’s particular fire risk, identifying fire and erosion risk, design guidelines – including hillsides and small lots – identifying fire-resistant and flame-retardant plants, the importance of maintenance (pruning and removal of dead plants) and appropriate watering.

Each workshop has limited seating. Fallbrook’s workshop will be held on April 12 at FPUD, 990 East Mission Road, from 9 a.m. to noon. Call (760) 728-1125, ext. 1127, for more information.