Although the Fraser Valley has for the most part been spared from the ravages of forest fires that the interior of BC has experienced, the Belcarra Park wildfire in early August which spread to 1.5 hectares reminded all of us that being fire smart is now a local concern. Probably the best place to start educating yourselves is by visiting the www.firesmartbc.ca website and focussing on their Landscaping Best Practices information which can be found under the Guides &Manuals.
Here you will learn to categorize your property into three distinct ignition zones, with your residence being ground zero and the immediate zone (0-1.5m away), intermediate zone (1.5-10m away) and the extended zone (10-30m away) all radiating out from it. Each zone has specific FireSmart recommendations which include using non-combustible mulches like river rock in the immediate zone, planting only fire resistant vegetation in the intermediate zone and removing all tree branches to a height of 2m in the extended zone. Now before you start worrying that a FireSmart garden is going to be boring or unappealing, let me introduce you to a few fire resistant trees, shrubs, perennials and vines that will prove you wrong.
Yarrow / Achillea (Perennial)
A durable flowering perennial with attractive ferny foliage and umbels of pollinator-friendly flowers that come in a rainbow of colours. This heat and drought tolerant plant should be used in the intermediate zone and can be mowed as a lawn substitute. Grows 8-36” tall depending on the cultivar. Hardy to USDA zone 3.
📸 MK Lascelle
German Bearded Iris / Iris x germanica (Perennial)
A versatile perennial that is cold hardy, deer resistant and features spectacular bicolour blooms. They are also drought tolerant once established and low maintenance, only requiring occasional division every 3-5 years. Grows 2-3’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3.
📸 MK Lascelle
Daylily / Hemerocallis (Perennial)
While known for their resilience, Daylilies are also quite fire resistant and are available in a large range of bloom colours. Herbaceous types should have their dormant foliage removed after they die down in the fall. Grows 1-3’ tall depending on variety. Hardy to USDA zone 3.
📸 MK Lascelle
Pinks / Dianthus (Perennial)
This lovely perennial groundcover is a good substitute for bark mulch in fire zones and comes in almost any flower colour imaginable. They are an important pollinator perennial and are generally considered to be low maintenance. Grows 4-16” tall depending on variety. Hardy to USDA zones 3-5.
📸 MK Lascelle
Smooth Sumac / Rhus glabra (Shrub to Small Tree)
A suckering shrub which can be trained as a small tree with attractive compound leaves. Shrub forms will ultimately form a grove making it useful for erosion control and the autumn hues are a spectacular combination of red, orange and gold. Grows 3- 15’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3.
📸 MK Lascelle
French Lilac / Syringa vulgaris (Shrub)
Who knew that this garden standard would also be fire resistant and suitable for planting in the outer edge of the intermediate zone. It bears highly fragrant flowers in a myriad of colours which will bring in the butterflies, but be sure to deadhead the spent blooms to reduce the fire risk. Grows 8-15’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3.
📸 MK Lascelle
Saskatoon Berry / Amelanchier alnifolia (Shrub)
This Canadian native tolerates harsh weather and cold winters while also providing a delicious crop of edible blue berries. The flowers are equally attractive as they much resemble tiny white star Magnolia blooms. Grows 4-15’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 2.
📸 MK Lascelle
Burning Bush / Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ (Shrub)
Despite the unfortunate common name which references the blazing fall foliage colour, this deciduous shrub can be trained as a hedge in the extended zone. It is quite drought tolerant once established and reasonably low maintenance, requiring only occasional light pruning. Grows 4-8’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4.
📸 MK Lascelle
Flowering Crabapple / Malus (Tree)
These are great small ornamental flowering trees which are not only fire smart but also highly attractive to pollinators when in bloom, later in the season the tiny apples are sought after by Waxwings, Robins and Thrushes in the cold weather. ‘Louisa’ is a weeping form that is suitable for the intermediate zone. Grows 12’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4.
📸 MK Lascelle
Honeysuckle / Lonicera ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ (Vine)
Vines are best trained against a non-flammable fence such as chainlink, as opposed to being allowed to scramble up a tree, where they may act as a ladder fuel. This cold hardy honeysuckle is a favourite of hummingbirds and is considered fire resistant. Grows 15-20’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3.
📸 MK Lascelle
Of course, there are many more FireSmart plant selections to be found on their website under Fire Resistant Plants.
Copyright 2026 MK Lascelle
