A Firefighter’s Perspective on Firewise Gardening

One of the many joys of living in Northern Arizona is being surrounded by the beauty of ponderosa pines and aspens. Our forests offer peaceful trails, vibrant wildlife and a stunning landscape to call home. But living in the forest also means accepting the responsibility of wildfire risk.

Although this year’s prediction is that Flagstaff will experience a normal monsoon season (which officially started June 15), we are coming off one of the driest winters on record. High temps, low moisture and windy weather have already caused the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County to enact Stage Two fire restrictions.

Why Firewise Gardening Matters

While it may feel counterintuitive to focus on wildfire during monsoon season, it’s actually an ideal time to prepare. Creating a “defensible” or “survivable” space around your home through smart landscaping can make all the difference when fire threatens.

The idea is simple: reduce the likelihood of your home igniting from wind-driven embers or creeping ground flames. You do this by selecting fire-resistant plants, spacing them wisely, and eliminating “ladder fuels” – those flammable layers that help fire climb from ground to treetop.

From Warner’s Nursery Crew to Wildfire Specialist

One new local business that’s bringing a firefighter’s perspective to home protection is Advanced Fire Defense, founded this year by Flagstaff resident Mike Felts. 

Mike got his first summer job 27 years ago as a member of Warner’s plant and delivery crew. He went on to be a firefighter and is now a captain with 19 years of service and a certification as a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist.

“At Advanced Fire Defense, we strive to protect our neighborhoods by empowering homeowners to take proactive steps against wildfire risks,” he said. “Through professional firefighter-led solutions that truly work, we help build more resilient communities with shared protection strategies, offering peace of mind through proven preparation.”

Advanced Fire Defense offers certified home inspections to assess wildfire vulnerabilities, connects homeowners to trusted contractors to address problem areas, and is a distributor and applicator of Komodo Fire Retardant, an eco-friendly treatment that protects trees, fences and plants until it’s washed away by three inches of moisture. 

Mike’s number one piece of advice to keep your home firewise? “Concentrate heavily on the immediate 0 to 5 feet zone – meaning the home itself and five feet around it.” 

He suggests measures to prevent embers from penetrating a home, such as 1/8” mesh on all attic and crawlspace vents. Keeping gutters and roofs clean of debris is also key to protecting your home. 

“From a landscape perspective, use fire-resistant materials to create a five-foot barrier around the home,” he added. “Landscape rock, sidewalks or brick pathways are a great example of this. Use green, high-moisture plants and plant them in spaced groups if near exterior walls. Lastly, keep the yard clean and clear of heavy debris and pine needles, and keep native grasses mowed to 4 to 6 inches.”

You Don’t Have to Sacrifice Beauty for Safety

The goal of firewise gardening isn’t to remove the nature you love, it’s to live in harmony with it safely. With thoughtful plant selection, strategic design and regular upkeep, your property can be both gorgeous and resilient.

If you have questions about Firewise plants or would like personalized guidance, please stop by and see us at Warner’s Nursery. And if you’re ready to take the next step in home protection, reach out to Mike and his team at Advanced Fire Defense.

Together, we can build a safer, stronger, fire-resilient community, without giving up the beauty of our forest home.

Happy (and safe) gardening! FBN

By Misti Warner-Andersen

Misti Warner-Andersen is the manager of Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Co., located at 1101 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff. To contact Warner’s Nursery, call 928-774-1983.