With Santa Ana winds right around the corner,Armstrong Garden Centers reminds Californians that even a little fire can spark and spread in the blink of an eye, so preparation is the key to safety. Consumers can protect their yards, homes and loved ones with proper precautions.

Even with abundant rain and snowfall from this past winter season, the fire risk in California is still high. Not all wildfires can be prevented, but we can all certainly help deter wildfires from our homes and do our best to keep everyone safe. Simple preventative lawn care can be the difference between a protected property and a scorched one.

“While no plant is fireproof, simple firescaping can be the solution,” said Gary Jones, Armstrong Garden Centers chief horticulturist. “Whether it’s choosing plants with fire retardant abilities, knowing proper defensible landscape maintenance or keeping irrigation systems in excellent shape.”

• Know your plants and research their fire retardant abilities.

• Replace flammable trees and shrubs with fireresistant varieties.

• Remove any dead, diseased or dying trees or shrubs.

• Create a wide “firebreak” around your home by removing brush and dried grass from the perimeter of your property.

• Dense brush means more fire fuel. Keep shrubs and trees thinned out, remove skirts from palms.

• Keep irrigation systems in working order and check regularly for adequate coverage.

For more information on firescaping, please visit www.armstronggarden.com.