Introduction

The following list presents plants identified as “fire resistant,” “firewise,” or possessing a “favorable fire performance rating” in publications written by Cooperative Extension specialists in the western United States and scientists from the University of California Forest Products Laboratory. Only plants reported by at least two sources and adapted for Nevada’s climate zones (Figure 1) are included. Please note: University of Nevada Cooperative Extension does not assert that the plants listed here are actually more desirable (i.e., less flammable, harder to ignite, etc.), but is simply presenting what others have reported.

Nevada's climate zone key Map layout of Nevada's climate zones

Figure 1. Climate zones of Nevada adapted from Sunset Western Garden Book (2001).

Nevada Climate

Forbs
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Achillea spp.	Yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X
Achillea filipendulina	Fernleaf yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Achillea millefolium	White yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X			X
Allium schoenoprasum	Chives	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X		X
Aquilegia spp.	Columbine	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Artemisia caucasica	Silver spreader sage	2a,2b,10,11	X	X
Artemisia stelleriana	Dusty miller	1a,2a,2b,10				X		X
Aurinia spp.	Basket of gold	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X
Bergenia spp.	Bergenia	1a,2a,2b,13			X	X		X
Carex spp.	Sedges	2a,2b			X		X
Centranthus ruber	Jupiter’s beard	2a,2b,13	X	X		X		X
Coreopsis spp.	Coreopsis	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X
Dianthus spp.	Pinks	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Duchesnea indica	Mock strawberry	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X	X
Epilobium angustifolium	Fireweed	1a,2a,2b		X			X
Erigeron hybrids	Fleabane	1a,2a,2b		X		X		X
Eschscholzia spp.	California poppy	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X
Fragaria spp.	Wild strawberries	2b,10,11,13			X	X	X
Gaillardia x grandiflora	Blanket flower	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Geranium spp.	Geranium	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Geranium cinereum	Hardy geranium	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Geranium sanguineum	Bloody cranesbill	1a,2a,2b				X		X
Helianthemum nummularium	Sun rose	2b		X		X	X
Hemerocallis spp.	Daylillies	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X	X	X
Heuchera spp.	Coral bells	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X	X	X	X	X
Iberis sempervirens	Evergreen candytuft	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Iris spp.	Iris	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X	X
Kniphofia uvaria	Red hot poker	2a,2b	X		X	X	X	X
Lavandula spp.	Lavender	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Leucanthemum x superbum	Shasta daisy	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Limonium latifolium	Sea lavender	1a,2a,2b,10	X					X
Linum perenne	Blue flax	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X	X	X
Lupinus spp.	Lupine	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Oenothera spp.	Evening primrose	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Papaver spp.	Poppy	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Penstemon spp.	Beard tongue	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Solidago spp.	Goldenrod	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X	X
Stachys byzantina	Lambs’ ears	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X

Succulents
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Delosperma spp.	Ice plant	2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X		X
Echeveria spp.	Hen and chicks	13			X		X
Sedum spp.	Stonecrop	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X	X
Sempervivum tectorum	Hen and chickens	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X

Grass/Grasslike
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	OR⁷	UT⁸
Agropyron cristatum	Crested wheatgrass	1a,2a,2b,10		X	X
Agropyron smithii	Western wheatgrass	1a,2a,2b,10	X	X	X
Buchloe dactyloides	Buffalo grass	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X	X	X
Festuca cinerea	Blue fescue	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X
Lolium perenne	Ryegrass	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X
Poa pratensis	Kentucky bluegrass	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X	X

Ground Covers
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Achillea tomentosa	Woolly yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X
Ajuga reptans	Bugleweed	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X
Antennaria spp.	Pussytoes	1a,2a,2b		X		X
Armeria maritima	Sea thrift	1a,2a,2b	X	X	X	X	X	X
Cerastium tomentosum	Snow-in-summer	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X	X
Cotoneaster dammeri	Bearberry cotoneaster	10,11,13	X		X
Delosperma nubigenum	Yellow ice plant	2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X	X
Phlox subulata	Creeping phlox	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X
Potentilla tabernaemontanii	Spring cinquefoil	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X		X
Thymus serpyllum	Creeping thyme	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X	X
Thymus pseudolanuginosus	Wooly thyme	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X			X
Vinca major	Large periwinkle	10,11,13	X					X
Vinca minor	Periwinkle	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X		X	X	X

Vines
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	AZ²	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Campsis radicans	Trumpet vine			X		X
Parthenocissus quinquefolia	Virginia creeper	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X	X		X

Shrubs
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	AZ²	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Acer ginnala	Amur maple	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Acer glabrum	Rocky mountain maple	10	X		X			X	X
Amelanchier spp.	Serviceberry	1a,2a,2b	X		X	X		X
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi*	Kinnikinnick, bearberry	1a,2a,2b			X	X	X	X	X
Artemisia stelleriana	Dusty miller	1a,2a,2b,10					X		X
Atriplex canescens*	Saltbrush	10,11,13	X	X		X			X
Buddleia davidii	Butterfly bush	2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Caryopteris x clandonensis	Blue mist spiraea	2b				X		X
Ceanothus species	Deerbrush, wild lilac	10	X	X	X		X	X	X
Cercocarpus intricatus*	Dwarf mountain mahogany	10,11	X		X		X
**Chrysothamnus spp.***	Rabbitbrush	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X
Cornus stolonifera	Redtwig dogwood	1a,2a,2b	X		X	X	X	X
Cotoneaster horizontalis	Rock cotoneaster	2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X	X
Daphne x burkwoodii	Burkwood daphne	2b			X			X
Euonymus alatus	Burning bush	2a,2b,10			X	X		X
Fallugia paradoxa*	Apacheplume	2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X
Holodiscus dumosus	Ocean spray	1a,2a,2b	X		X		X	X
Ligustrum spp.	Privet	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Lonicera spp.	Honeysuckle	1a,2a,2b	X		X		X		X
Mahonia aquifolium	Oregon grapeholly	2a,2b,10,11			X	X		X
Mahonia repens	Creeping holly	2b	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Philadelphus spp.	Mock orange	1a,2a,2b,,10,11,13			X	X	X	X
Physocarpus monogynus	Mountain ninebark	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Potentilla fructicosa	Shrubby potentilla	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X	X	X
Prunus spp.	Plum, cherry	1a,2a,2b,10		X	X	X	X	X	X
Prunus virginiana	Western chokecherry	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X			X
Purshia tridentata*	Bitterbrush	2a,2b,10			X				X
Pyracantha spp.	Firethorn	10,11,13		X			X		X
Rhamnus spp.	Buckthorn	1,2a,2b,10,11		X		X	X		X
**Rhododendron spp.***	Azalea, rhododendron	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Rhus spp.	Sumac, skunkbush	1a,2a,2b,20,11		X			X	X	X
Ribes spp.	Gooseberries, currants	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Rubus deliciosus	Rocky Mountain thimbleberr	1a,2a,2b,10			X		X
Rosa spp.	Hardy roses	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X		X	X	X
Salvia spp.	Sage	2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X		X
Shepherdia argentea	Silver buffaloberry	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X	X	X
Shepherdia canadensis	Russet buffaloberry	1a,2a,2b,10			X		X		X
Symphoricarpos albus	Snowberry	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X	X		X
Syringa vulgaris	Common lilac	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X		X	X	X
Viburnum spp.	Viburnum	2a,2b,10,11			X	X
Yucca filamentosa	Adam’s needle	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X	X	X	X

Trees
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	AZ²	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Acer spp.	Maple	1a,2a,2b,10				X	X		X
Acer grandidentatum	Big-toothed maple	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X		X
Acer negundo	Box elder	1a,2a,2b,10	X				X
Aesculus spp.	Horsechestnut	1a,2a,2b,10		X		X		X
Alnus rhombifolia	White alder	1a,2a,2b,10		X			X
Alnus tenuifolia	Thinleaf alder	2a,2b,10	X		X			X
Betula spp.	Birch	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13					X	X	X
Betula occidentalis	Water birch	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Catalpa spp.	Northern catalpa	2a,2b,10,11	X			X		X
Cercis canadensis	Eastern redbud	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X					X	X
Cercis occidentalis	Western redbud	2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X			X
Cornus florida	Flowering dogwood	2b				X		X
Fagus spp.	Beech	1a,2a,2b				X		X
Fraxiuns spp.	Ash	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X	X	X
Fraxinus pennsylvanica	Green ash	1a,2a,2b	X		X		X
Gleditsia tricanthos	Honeylocust	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X		X
Malus spp.	Crabapple	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X			X
Populus spp.	Poplar, cottonwood	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X		X	X	X	X
Populus tremuloides	Quaking aspen	1a,2a,2b	X	X	X		X		X
Prunus spp.	Plum, cherry	1a,2a,2b,10		X			X
Prunus americana	American wild plum	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Prunus cerasifera	Flowering plum	10,11,13	X		X
Robinia pseudoacacia	Black locust	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X			X	X	X
**Salix spp.***	Willow	1a,2a,2b,10,11				X		X	X

1 Adapted from Sunset Western Garden Book. 2001. Lane Publishing Co.. Menlo Park, CA.

2 Arizona. Source: DeGomez, T., J. Schalau, C. Jones. 2002. Firewise plant materials for 3,000 ft. and higher elevations. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Publication AZ1289.

3 California. Source: Shelly, J. R., ed. 1997. Defensible space landscaping in the urban/wildland interface: a compilation of fire performance ratings of residential landscape plants. University of California Forest Products Laboratory. Prepublication copy.

4 Colorado. Source: Dennis, F. C. 2004. Firewise plant materials. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. No. 6.305.

5 Idaho. Source: Carree, Y., C. Schnepf, and W. M. Colt. 1998. Landscaping for wildfire prevention. University of Idaho Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station. Station Bulletin 67.

6 Montana. Source: Gough, R. E. and Lamb, J. 2001. Fire-resistant plants for Montana landscapes. Montana State University Extension Service. Fact Sheet MT 2001-01 AG.

7 Oregon. Source: Fitzgerald, S. and A. J. Waldo. 2002. Fire-resistant plants for Oregon home landscapes. Oregon State University Extension Service. Forest Resource Note No. 6.

8 Utah. Source: Kuhn, M. 2002. Firewise plants for Utah landscapes. Utah State University Extension. Fact Sheet NR/FF/002.

*Some reviewers of this publication disagree with the findings of the authors cited in this document and consider this particular plant a poor choice.

Smith, E. amd Sistare, S. 2005, A Compilation of Good Plant Choices for Nevada’s High Fire Hazard Areas, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-05-16

If you need more information.

Please contact Extension's Communication Team for assistance.

Also of Interest:


CodeRED en el condado de Washoe CodeRED es un sistema de notificaciones que envía mensajes de emergencia a personas ubicadas en regiones afectadas, como poblaciones o comunidades específicas. Roice-Gomes, J., Adams, J., Kay, M., and Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-120
CodeRED in Washoe County If an emergency arises in Washoe County, public agencies utilize CodeRED to inform the public. Registering for CodeRED increases the likelihood that residents will receive these urgent notifications. Roice-Gomes, J., Adams, J., Kay, M., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-120
Historical Fire and Ventenata dubia Invasion in a Temperate Grassland Ventenata is an invasive annual grass that has rapidly expanded its range across temperate grassland and shrub-steppe ecosystems in western North America. Luke W. Ridder, JoAnna M.Perrena, Lesley R.Morris, Bryan A.Endress, Robert V.Taylord, Bridgett J.Naylore 2021, Rangeland Ecology & Management, Vol 75, March 2021, Pg. 35-40
What is firescaping? (2019) University experts give tips on keeping your landscape from going up in flames Andrews, A. and Skelly, J. 2019, Nevada Today, University of Nevada, Reno
What should I pack in case of evacuation due to wildfire? Evacuating during a wildfire is terrifying. It's difficult to think accurately and quickly. So, residents should prepare for an evacuation by packing go-bags before a wildfire threat begins. It is recommended that one bag is packed for each family member and each pet. While packi... Roice-Gomes, J. and A. Andrews 2019, Nevada Today

A Compilation of Good Plant Choices for Nevada’s High Fire Hazard Areas

Introduction

Nevada's climate zone key Map layout of Nevada's climate zones

Figure 1. Climate zones of Nevada adapted from Sunset Western Garden Book (2001).

Nevada Climate

Forbs
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Achillea spp.	Yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X
Achillea filipendulina	Fernleaf yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Achillea millefolium	White yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X			X
Allium schoenoprasum	Chives	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X		X
Aquilegia spp.	Columbine	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Artemisia caucasica	Silver spreader sage	2a,2b,10,11	X	X
Artemisia stelleriana	Dusty miller	1a,2a,2b,10				X		X
Aurinia spp.	Basket of gold	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X
Bergenia spp.	Bergenia	1a,2a,2b,13			X	X		X
Carex spp.	Sedges	2a,2b			X		X
Centranthus ruber	Jupiter’s beard	2a,2b,13	X	X		X		X
Coreopsis spp.	Coreopsis	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X
Dianthus spp.	Pinks	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Duchesnea indica	Mock strawberry	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X	X
Epilobium angustifolium	Fireweed	1a,2a,2b		X			X
Erigeron hybrids	Fleabane	1a,2a,2b		X		X		X
Eschscholzia spp.	California poppy	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X
Fragaria spp.	Wild strawberries	2b,10,11,13			X	X	X
Gaillardia x grandiflora	Blanket flower	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Geranium spp.	Geranium	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Geranium cinereum	Hardy geranium	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Geranium sanguineum	Bloody cranesbill	1a,2a,2b				X		X
Helianthemum nummularium	Sun rose	2b		X		X	X
Hemerocallis spp.	Daylillies	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X	X	X
Heuchera spp.	Coral bells	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X	X	X	X	X
Iberis sempervirens	Evergreen candytuft	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Iris spp.	Iris	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X	X
Kniphofia uvaria	Red hot poker	2a,2b	X		X	X	X	X
Lavandula spp.	Lavender	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Leucanthemum x superbum	Shasta daisy	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Limonium latifolium	Sea lavender	1a,2a,2b,10	X					X
Linum perenne	Blue flax	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X	X	X
Lupinus spp.	Lupine	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Oenothera spp.	Evening primrose	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Papaver spp.	Poppy	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Penstemon spp.	Beard tongue	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X	X	X	X
Solidago spp.	Goldenrod	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X	X
Stachys byzantina	Lambs’ ears	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X

Succulents
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Delosperma spp.	Ice plant	2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X		X
Echeveria spp.	Hen and chicks	13			X		X
Sedum spp.	Stonecrop	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X	X
Sempervivum tectorum	Hen and chickens	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X

Grass/Grasslike
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	OR⁷	UT⁸
Agropyron cristatum	Crested wheatgrass	1a,2a,2b,10		X	X
Agropyron smithii	Western wheatgrass	1a,2a,2b,10	X	X	X
Buchloe dactyloides	Buffalo grass	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X	X	X
Festuca cinerea	Blue fescue	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X
Lolium perenne	Ryegrass	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X	X
Poa pratensis	Kentucky bluegrass	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X	X

Ground Covers
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Achillea tomentosa	Woolly yarrow	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X
Ajuga reptans	Bugleweed	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X
Antennaria spp.	Pussytoes	1a,2a,2b		X		X
Armeria maritima	Sea thrift	1a,2a,2b	X	X	X	X	X	X
Cerastium tomentosum	Snow-in-summer	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X	X	X
Cotoneaster dammeri	Bearberry cotoneaster	10,11,13	X		X
Delosperma nubigenum	Yellow ice plant	2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X	X
Phlox subulata	Creeping phlox	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X
Potentilla tabernaemontanii	Spring cinquefoil	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X	X	X		X
Thymus serpyllum	Creeping thyme	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X	X
Thymus pseudolanuginosus	Wooly thyme	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X			X
Vinca major	Large periwinkle	10,11,13	X					X
Vinca minor	Periwinkle	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X		X	X	X

Vines
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	AZ²	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Campsis radicans	Trumpet vine			X		X
Parthenocissus quinquefolia	Virginia creeper	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13				X	X		X

Shrubs
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	AZ²	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Acer ginnala	Amur maple	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Acer glabrum	Rocky mountain maple	10	X		X			X	X
Amelanchier spp.	Serviceberry	1a,2a,2b	X		X	X		X
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi*	Kinnikinnick, bearberry	1a,2a,2b			X	X	X	X	X
Artemisia stelleriana	Dusty miller	1a,2a,2b,10					X		X
Atriplex canescens*	Saltbrush	10,11,13	X	X		X			X
Buddleia davidii	Butterfly bush	2a,2b,10,11,13				X		X
Caryopteris x clandonensis	Blue mist spiraea	2b				X		X
Ceanothus species	Deerbrush, wild lilac	10	X	X	X		X	X	X
Cercocarpus intricatus*	Dwarf mountain mahogany	10,11	X		X		X
**Chrysothamnus spp.***	Rabbitbrush	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X
Cornus stolonifera	Redtwig dogwood	1a,2a,2b	X		X	X	X	X
Cotoneaster horizontalis	Rock cotoneaster	2b,10,11,13			X	X	X	X	X
Daphne x burkwoodii	Burkwood daphne	2b			X			X
Euonymus alatus	Burning bush	2a,2b,10			X	X		X
Fallugia paradoxa*	Apacheplume	2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X
Holodiscus dumosus	Ocean spray	1a,2a,2b	X		X		X	X
Ligustrum spp.	Privet	2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Lonicera spp.	Honeysuckle	1a,2a,2b	X		X		X		X
Mahonia aquifolium	Oregon grapeholly	2a,2b,10,11			X	X		X
Mahonia repens	Creeping holly	2b	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Philadelphus spp.	Mock orange	1a,2a,2b,,10,11,13			X	X	X	X
Physocarpus monogynus	Mountain ninebark	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Potentilla fructicosa	Shrubby potentilla	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X	X	X
Prunus spp.	Plum, cherry	1a,2a,2b,10		X	X	X	X	X	X
Prunus virginiana	Western chokecherry	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X			X
Purshia tridentata*	Bitterbrush	2a,2b,10			X				X
Pyracantha spp.	Firethorn	10,11,13		X			X		X
Rhamnus spp.	Buckthorn	1,2a,2b,10,11		X		X	X		X
**Rhododendron spp.***	Azalea, rhododendron	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X		X
Rhus spp.	Sumac, skunkbush	1a,2a,2b,20,11		X			X	X	X
Ribes spp.	Gooseberries, currants	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Rubus deliciosus	Rocky Mountain thimbleberr	1a,2a,2b,10			X		X
Rosa spp.	Hardy roses	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X		X	X	X
Salvia spp.	Sage	2a,2b,10,11,13		X			X		X
Shepherdia argentea	Silver buffaloberry	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X	X	X
Shepherdia canadensis	Russet buffaloberry	1a,2a,2b,10			X		X		X
Symphoricarpos albus	Snowberry	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X	X		X
Syringa vulgaris	Common lilac	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X		X	X	X
Viburnum spp.	Viburnum	2a,2b,10,11			X	X
Yucca filamentosa	Adam’s needle	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X	X	X	X

Trees
Botanical Name	Common Name	Zones¹	AZ²	CA³	CO⁴	ID⁵	MT⁶	OR⁷	UT⁸
Acer spp.	Maple	1a,2a,2b,10				X	X		X
Acer grandidentatum	Big-toothed maple	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X		X
Acer negundo	Box elder	1a,2a,2b,10	X				X
Aesculus spp.	Horsechestnut	1a,2a,2b,10		X		X		X
Alnus rhombifolia	White alder	1a,2a,2b,10		X			X
Alnus tenuifolia	Thinleaf alder	2a,2b,10	X		X			X
Betula spp.	Birch	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13					X	X	X
Betula occidentalis	Water birch	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Catalpa spp.	Northern catalpa	2a,2b,10,11	X			X		X
Cercis canadensis	Eastern redbud	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X					X	X
Cercis occidentalis	Western redbud	2a,2b,10,11,13	X	X			X
Cornus florida	Flowering dogwood	2b				X		X
Fagus spp.	Beech	1a,2a,2b				X		X
Fraxiuns spp.	Ash	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13		X		X	X	X
Fraxinus pennsylvanica	Green ash	1a,2a,2b	X		X		X
Gleditsia tricanthos	Honeylocust	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X		X	X		X
Malus spp.	Crabapple	1a,2a,2b,10,11	X		X			X
Populus spp.	Poplar, cottonwood	1a,2a,2b,10,11		X		X	X	X	X
Populus tremuloides	Quaking aspen	1a,2a,2b	X	X	X		X		X
Prunus spp.	Plum, cherry	1a,2a,2b,10		X			X
Prunus americana	American wild plum	1a,2a,2b,10	X		X
Prunus cerasifera	Flowering plum	10,11,13	X		X
Robinia pseudoacacia	Black locust	1a,2a,2b,10,11,13	X			X	X	X
**Salix spp.***	Willow	1a,2a,2b,10,11				X		X	X

1 Adapted from Sunset Western Garden Book. 2001. Lane Publishing Co.. Menlo Park, CA.

2 Arizona. Source: DeGomez, T., J. Schalau, C. Jones. 2002. Firewise plant materials for 3,000 ft. and higher elevations. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Publication AZ1289.

3 California. Source: Shelly, J. R., ed. 1997. Defensible space landscaping in the urban/wildland interface: a compilation of fire performance ratings of residential landscape plants. University of California Forest Products Laboratory. Prepublication copy.

4 Colorado. Source: Dennis, F. C. 2004. Firewise plant materials. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. No. 6.305.

5 Idaho. Source: Carree, Y., C. Schnepf, and W. M. Colt. 1998. Landscaping for wildfire prevention. University of Idaho Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station. Station Bulletin 67.

6 Montana. Source: Gough, R. E. and Lamb, J. 2001. Fire-resistant plants for Montana landscapes. Montana State University Extension Service. Fact Sheet MT 2001-01 AG.

7 Oregon. Source: Fitzgerald, S. and A. J. Waldo. 2002. Fire-resistant plants for Oregon home landscapes. Oregon State University Extension Service. Forest Resource Note No. 6.

8 Utah. Source: Kuhn, M. 2002. Firewise plants for Utah landscapes. Utah State University Extension. Fact Sheet NR/FF/002.

*Some reviewers of this publication disagree with the findings of the authors cited in this document and consider this particular plant a poor choice.

Published by: Smith, E. amd Sistare, S., 2005, A Compilation of Good Plant Choices for Nevada’s High Fire Hazard Areas, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-05-16