Ventura County

Resource Conservation District

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Preparing for Wildfire in Ventura County

VCRCD and VCPBA would like to provide resources to help landowners and residents of Ventura County prepare for wildfire. Access links below pertaining to VCRCD Fire Programs and fire preparedness.

Native Plants for Fire Safety

VCPBA recommends that people plant native plants for the potential to both improve habitat and potential to increase fire safety. Here are some examples of plants that can be fire safe that have huge wildlife value:

Coast live oaks are the keystone species of much of Ventura County. VCPBA recommends that landowners plant these trees for numerous reasons: • The trees stay green year-round. • Their dense green foliage can act as an ember screen during our high severity fires. • Coast live oak leaves are waxy, not oily. As a result, Coast live oak leaves are not as flammable as non-native invasives that have oily leaves, such as Eucalyptus, pepper tree, and rosemary. • Do not need watering! Because they are native. • Habitat for so many living things!
Coast live oaks are the keystone species of much of Ventura County. VCPBA recommends that landowners plant these trees for numerous reasons: • The trees stay green year-round. • Their dense green foliage can act as an ember screen during our high severity fires. • Coast live oak leaves are waxy, not oily. As a result, Coast live oak leaves are not as flammable as non-native invasives that have oily leaves, such as Eucalyptus, pepper tree, and rosemary. • Do not need watering! Because they are native. • Habitat for so many living things!
Stipa pulchra are cool native perennial grasses that do not get tall and that do not need any watering. Once established these plants can be weed-whipped to the base to lower fire severity.
Stipa pulchra are cool native perennial grasses that do not get tall and that do not need any watering. Once established these plants can be weed-whipped to the base to lower fire severity.
Chapparal Yucca is a cool plant—these plants contain soap in their leaves. Soap can act as a natural fire suppressant. Planting these plants in clumps might slow the spread of a fire. There is also a cool moth that is the only pollinator for this plant.
Chapparal Yucca is a cool plant—these plants contain soap in their leaves. Soap can act as a natural fire suppressant. Planting these plants in clumps might slow the spread of a fire. There is also a cool moth that is the only pollinator for this plant.
Native Annuals: Poppies, tidy tips, chia, phacelia, the list goes on. Once they go to seed, these plants can be weed-whipped. Plants will likely return the following springs if gone to seed! If you are interested in planting Native Annuals, be sure to purchase them from a local and trusted source. Some seed packets claim to contain native plants but may contain non-native invasives. Local and trusted sources are listed below.
Native Annuals: Poppies, tidy tips, chia, phacelia, the list goes on. Once they go to seed, these plants can be weed-whipped. Plants will likely return the following springs if gone to seed! If you are interested in planting Native Annuals, be sure to purchase them from a local and trusted source. Some seed packets claim to contain native plants but may contain non-native invasives. Local and trusted sources are listed below.
Prostrate Native Perennials: low growing shrubs produce shorter flame lengths if they are burning. Here are some native shrubs that grow on the shorter side: Salvia ‘Bee’s Bliss Sage, Artemisia californica ‘Canyon Grey’, Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks No. 2’, and more.
Prostrate Native Perennials: low growing shrubs produce shorter flame lengths if they are burning. Here are some native shrubs that grow on the shorter side: Salvia ‘Bee’s Bliss Sage, Artemisia californica ‘Canyon Grey’, Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks No. 2’, and more.

See the table for local native plant nurseries!

Nursery Location Website
Matilija

Simi Valley

Learn More
Growing Works
Camarillo

Learn More
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Ojai

Learn More
Theodore Payne Foundation

Los Angeles (Sun Valley)

Learn More
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Santa Barbara

Learn More

Defensible Space

Defensible space is the buffer area between a structure and its surrounding area— it is the first line of defense for your home against wildfire! The VCPBA supports zone zero defensible space, but we recommend that individuals keep coast live oak or valley oak tree canopy going over houses. For more information, click here.

Wildfire Program Pages

Read about the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative

Read about the Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association

Watch our Fire Ecology Speaker Series

View the Ventura County Fire Department website

View the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council website

View the Ready VC website

Stay Up To Date

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District offers quarterly newsletters on wildfire updates in the area. In addition, through the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative, VCRCD is involved with community wildfire town halls. These events will be occurring throughout the County and will provide residents with a chance to hear from the local fire officials in their community as well as provide feedback on community wildfire planning. 

Please reach out to use with any questions at [email protected]