What type of plants and debris near the structure should be assessed for fire risk?

Assessing ornamental plants and debris near a structure for fire risk is critical as they can be particularly susceptible to ignition and may contribute to the spread of fire. Ornamental plants are often used in landscaping and can include a variety of species that may have different characteristics in terms of flammability. Many ornamental plants may contain oils, resins, or other materials that can easily catch fire, creating a direct risk to nearby structures.

The placement and maintenance of ornamental plants are vital because they often grow close to buildings and can accumulate debris, such as dried leaves and twigs, that are also highly flammable. Therefore, evaluating their condition and the surrounding debris helps in implementing strategies to reduce fire risk and create defensible space.

Other plant categories, like native, flowering, and edible plants, while potentially important in their own contexts—such as maintaining biodiversity or food sources—are not primarily assessed for their risk in a wildland urban interface scenario the same way ornamental plants are. They may vary in their fire resistance and risk profiles, but the emphasis in the context of fire risk assessment is more so on ornamental plants due to their common usage in close proximity to structures and their potential to ignite easily.