Central Oregonians today are navigating a difficult balance between home fire protection and local wildlife habitats. Stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife were why many of us relocated to this unique area. Those who love insects and birds take it further by planting and retaining wildlife-nurturing native shrubs and wildflowers.
Research shows native plants support significantly more pollinators, birds and other creatures than nonnatives. Most birds and small fauna eat insects, and baby birds’ lives depend on them. Native shrubs are critical, nature-supporting species in our arid, high desert ecosystems.
Unfortunately, requirements or recommendations to remove flammable plants leave many unsure how to provide for our wild neighbors while protecting homes. Some plants are obviously fire prone, while for others, it’s unclear. Most plant lists do not list flammability as a characteristic, and any plant can burn under the right conditions. Already, some property owners are being excessively cautious, stripping their properties of native shrubs and plants. Such actions leave landscapes unable to support much wildlife.
The good news? We can create fire-resistant and wildlife-supporting backyard habitats with creative solutions and strategic planning.
What’s a Flammable Plant?
General characteristics of what is fire risky are helpful: Highly flammable plants typically contain fine, dry material like dead twigs, needles or leaves. They often have aromatic foliage or resinous sap, rich in volatile oils or waxes, making them prone to ignite easily and burn intensely. Ornamental juniper and cedar shrubs, as well as tall grasses, are both risky. In contrast, fire-resistant plants exhibit traits such as open, airy branches that prevent debris buildup, moist and flexible leaves and minimal sap or resin. Many native deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials fit this description, offering safer options for homeowners.
Getting Wildfire-Wise and Wildlife-Friendly!
Generally, fire prevention advice centers around protective zones: zero to five feet, five to 30 feet and 30 to 100 feet. Plan for inconsistency in the advice and see the sidebar for links to helpful fire and plant resources.
Native Plant Tips and Yard Suggestions
1. Get in the Zone
Hardscaping is preferred in the zero- to five-foot zone closest to your home, though some fire-resistant plants seem to be allowed if kept healthy and free of dead materials. Bend’s rules are confusing, but it’s recommended to cut back plants sufficiently below the eaves.
In the five- to 30-foot zone, get more creative. Consider low-growing flowers such as pussytoes, western wallflower and blue flax. Carefully space and keep short shrubs, like rock spiraea, and larger perennials, like Oregon sunshine. Intermix these with hardscape and groundcovers, including creeping phlox and wild strawberry (supporting a respectable 69 caterpillar species).
From 30 to 100 feet, carefully space moderate to low shrubs and trees. Larger native shrubs can be placed here, including meadowsweet spiraea (which supports 54 caterpillar species), elderberry or Woods’ rose. Space 10 feet apart and prune regularly to remove dead material. Surround these habitat patches with fire-resistant native groundcovers, larger landscape features (like rocks) and water features like bird baths or water-catching pebble streams.
Out from 100 feet to wilder spaces, you can provide wildlife with more food, hiding areas and nesting spots. Instead of extensive dense plantings, establish spaced “clumps” or “islands” of habitat plants. Our native black chokeberry and serviceberry are pros at housing and feeding insects: 240 and 81 caterpillar species, respectively. The blooming beauty rabbitbrush has much-needed nectars and buzzes with insects when other flowers have stopped producing in late summer. Keep these debris free and give a tad of water for more fire resistance. With smart vertical and horizontal spacing, you can retain native vegetation without creating fuel ladders.
2. Maintain mature trees and consider deciduous options.
Our stately ponderosa’s cones feed birds and mammals. Carefully managed, the mature juniper tree gives bird feeder visitors nesting holes, insect meals and safety; they are a critical wildlife tree. (Age juniper by their rounder shape, not height.) Mountain ash sustains cedar waxwings and robins through winter. Aspen and rocky mountain maple provide nesting sites and forage. All provide shade, protect other plants and soils and keep humans cool during hot summers. Limb in the fall and don’t prune more than 30% to save birds and prevent tree stress.
3. Learn about native plants (see sidebar).
Many Central Oregon native plants offer fire resistance while benefiting wildlife. However, some resources list plants as “native” even though they come from different ecosystems, so choose locals. Once established, local native plants require less water and are pesticide free, more resilient and easier to maintain.
Please don’t dig up wild native plants! Most don’t survive transplanting due to deep roots and associations with other plants. Wild harvesting is harming wildflower populations around the nation — native wildflowers face historic challenges from heat, drought and habitat loss. Choose nursery-grown native plants (and seeds) from reputable producers who use seeds from plants they have grown.
4. Keep it clean and green!
Seasonal maintenance is crucial: Keep out dead material and water to reduce flammability. Desert and high desert plants are less oily and flammable when watered a bit more. Remove flammable debris near your home but create leaf litter areas away from the home for insect habitat. Beneficial insects, like caterpillar pupae, hibernate in leaf litter, near rocks and under logs. Weeds like cheatgrass, nonnative ornamental grasses and Canada thistle are highly flammable. Once removed, native wildflowers pop up naturally.
Finding Balance
Balancing fire safety and wildlife habitat requires thoughtful planning and realistic expectations. Each step helps preserve Central Oregon’s ecological integrity while protecting your home. With creativity and commitment to maintenance, you can create a landscape that’s both fire wise and wildlife friendly.
Choosing Plants Resources
Spring events are popping up! Check out these sites for tips on plants and pollinator garden events. Bend’s downtown Earth Day Fair on Sat., April 26 will have plant sales.
OSU Extension Catalog of Fire-Resistant Plants for Home Landscapes: extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/pnw-590-fire-resistant-plants-home-landscapes
Earth Day Fair: envirocenter.org/tec-events/earth-day-fair
Pollinator Pathway Bend’s Native Plant List: pollinatorpathwaybend.org
Native Plant Society of Oregon’s High Desert Chapter: highdesertnpsoregon.org
Worthy Garden Club: worthygardenclub.org
WinterCreek Nursery at High Desert Horticultural Center: highdeserthorticulturalcenter.org
National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder: nativeplantfinder.nwf.org
Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area: fansofdeschutes.org
Great Basin Nursery: greatbasinnursery.com
This article appears in The Source Weekly April 3, 2025.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
