Do I have to remove these plants?

California Zone 0 rules (AB 3074) require removal of all combustible vegetation within 5 feet of any structure — which includes these high-risk species in that perimeter. Zone 1 (5-30 ft) doesn't categorically prohibit any species but requires fire-safe spacing and reduced fuel load, which is difficult to achieve with mass plantings of these high-flammability species. Zone 2 (30-100 ft) is more permissive but the principle still applies: every juniper in Zone 2 is a documented California ignition source.

What's the worst plant on this list?

Juniper, by a significant margin. Junipers (Juniperus species in any form — ground cover, shrub, or tree) are the single most consistently flagged species in California post-fire investigations. They burn explosively, ignite from minimal ember contact, and produce intense radiant heat that ignites adjacent materials. If you have junipers within 30 feet of your home in any California fire zone, removal is the highest-priority firescape action.

Why are these plants still sold at California nurseries?

Most large nurseries serve the entire California market, not just fire-zone homeowners. The plants on this list have legitimate landscape uses in non-fire-zone California — coastal areas, urban infill, ornamental display gardens. The problem is that California fire-zone homeowners often default to mass-market plant choices without understanding the fire implications. Educated nursery staff and California-specialist garden centers increasingly steer fire-zone customers toward better choices.

Avoid

Plants to avoid in California fire zones: the high-risk species list.

The plants most consistently flagged in California post-fire investigations. Each one's specific risk profile and why it still gets planted in California fire-zone yards.

Updated May 28, 2026 · 5–8 minute read

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How this list is built

This list draws on three sources of California fire-resistance research: post-fire investigation records from CAL FIRE and IBHS, UC Cooperative Extension plant-flammability research, and Douglas Kent's firescaping research. Plants on this list have at least one of three characteristics documented across that body of work: high resin or volatile-oil content, rapid ignition from ember contact under California fire conditions, or intense burning that drives secondary ignition.

The high-risk species

Juniper (Juniperus species)

The single most flagged ornamental in California fire investigations. Junipers in any form — ground-cover varieties (J. horizontalis), shrub varieties (J. chinensis), or tree varieties (J. virginiana, J. scopulorum) — are high-resin, high-volatile-oil plants that ignite explosively from ember contact. The flame radiates intense heat that often ignites adjacent materials.

Common California plantings: Foundation plantings around homes (very common in California 1970s-1990s residential), parking-lot landscaping, freeway-edge plantings, decorative topiaries.

Recommended action: Remove from any location within 30 ft of structures in fire zones. Replace with succulents, fire-resistant natives, or hardscape.

Cypress (Cupressus and Cupressocyparis)

Italian cypress, Leyland cypress, Monterey cypress — all high-oil-content evergreen conifers that ignite readily and burn explosively. Italian cypress in particular, often planted as a tall narrow accent tree, behaves like a candle when ignited.

Common California plantings: Property-line screening, Tuscan-style landscape accents, formal garden specimens.

Recommended action: Replace cypress within 30 ft of structures. For screening, consider olive, chinese pistache, or non-combustible fencing.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus species)

Multiple eucalyptus species, most prominently blue gum (E. globulus), red gum (E. camaldulensis), and Australian flowering varieties. Resin-rich; sheds substantial bark and leaf litter that accumulates as ground fuel under and around the tree; burns at very high temperature. The Oakland Hills fire (1991) spread substantially through eucalyptus stands.

Common California plantings: Historic windbreaks, large-property accent trees, naturalized stands in coastal and hill areas.

Recommended action: Remove eucalyptus within 100 ft of structures. Litter cleanup remains important for any retained trees beyond that distance.

Manzanita (Arctostaphylos species)

California native; aesthetically prized for sculptural red bark and white spring flowers. High-resin, high- oil plant that burns readily. Multi-trunk form produces concentrated fuel mass.

Recommended action: Avoid in Zone 1 (5–30 ft); cluster carefully in Zone 2 if at all, with substantial inter-cluster spacing.

Pampas grass and ornamental grasses

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), and similar large ornamental grasses dry to high-flammability condition every California summer. Once dry, they ignite from minimal ember contact and burn rapidly. Pampas grass particularly is an invasive species in California and is increasingly regulated for removal.

Recommended action: Remove from any location within 30 ft of structures. Replace with well-spaced California native bunchgrasses (festuca californica, deergrass) at 18–30" centers.

Rosemary in mass plantings

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a popular California drought-tolerant choice. Individual rosemary plants in containers are fine; mass plantings and rosemary hedges concentrate enough oil-rich foliage to be documented California fire risks.

Recommended action: Use in moderation in containers, or in small isolated plantings beyond Zone 1. Avoid mass plantings and rosemary hedges in fire-zone landscapes.

Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

Australian native introduced to California; oil-rich foliage; documented as fast-ignition in California fire investigations.

Recommended action: Remove from Zones 1 and 2; replace with non-combustible landscape features or fire-resistant alternatives.

Palm trees

Mature palms (Washingtonia robusta and similar) accumulate substantial dry frond skirts at the base of the crown. When the skirt ignites, the resulting torch-like fire is intense and difficult to control. Trimmed palms (skirt cleaned annually) are substantially less risky.

Recommended action: If retaining palms, commit to annual skirt cleaning. New palm plantings in fire zones not recommended.

Acacia

Several Acacia species are documented as high-flammability California ornamentals. The genus is broad and not all Acacias are equally risky; the most flagged are A. baileyana (Bailey acacia) and A. dealbata (silver wattle).

Recommended action: Treat as high risk in California fire zones.

Less-flagged but still high-risk

Plants that appear in California fire investigations with moderate frequency:

Most California sage species (Salvia spp.)
Most ceanothus varieties (California lilac)
Coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis)
Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum)
Most pine species (Pinus spp.)
Bamboo (most varieties)
Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus)

What this connects to

Sources: CAL FIRE post-fire investigation reports; IBHS California wildfire research; UC Cooperative Extension plant-flammability studies; Douglas Kent “Firescaping” (2nd edition, 2019); California Native Plant Society fire-recovery materials.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to remove these plants?: California Zone 0 rules (AB 3074) require removal of all combustible vegetation within 5 feet of any structure — which includes these high-risk species in that perimeter. Zone 1 (5-30 ft) doesn't categorically prohibit any species but requires fire-safe spacing and reduced fuel load, which is difficult to achieve with mass plantings of these high-flammability species. Zone 2 (30-100 ft) is more permissive but the principle still applies: every juniper in Zone 2 is a documented California ignition source.
What's the worst plant on this list?: Juniper, by a significant margin. Junipers (Juniperus species in any form — ground cover, shrub, or tree) are the single most consistently flagged species in California post-fire investigations. They burn explosively, ignite from minimal ember contact, and produce intense radiant heat that ignites adjacent materials. If you have junipers within 30 feet of your home in any California fire zone, removal is the highest-priority firescape action.
Why are these plants still sold at California nurseries?: Most large nurseries serve the entire California market, not just fire-zone homeowners. The plants on this list have legitimate landscape uses in non-fire-zone California — coastal areas, urban infill, ornamental display gardens. The problem is that California fire-zone homeowners often default to mass-market plant choices without understanding the fire implications. Educated nursery staff and California-specialist garden centers increasingly steer fire-zone customers toward better choices.

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