The deadly wildfires in Hawaii this month were fueled in part by plants, in particular invasive grasses
Some plants are more flammable than others, says Michele Steinberg, wildfire division director at the National Fire Protection Association. But “there is no such thing as a fireproof plant,” she says — all plants can ignite under the right conditions., and poor sanitation practices that allow dry, dead plant parts to remain on the soil surface in high-risk areas.
Trees with peeling, papery bark, like river birch, are generally more flammable than those without. And fine-needled evergreen shrubs and trees, like cedar, cypress, fir, juniper, pine and spruce, contain volatile saps and resins. Their dropped needles, left to dry on the ground – or the roof -- further increase the fire risk. Redwoods, a notable exception, are considered fire-resistant due to the tannic acid in their bark.
Many grasses, such as the buffel, molasses and guinea types that fueled the Hawaii fires -- as well as fountain and feather grasses -- are considered highly flammable. Their ignitability increases when they are left to stand dry over winter or during periods of drought; excessive dry heat evaporates moisture from the soil and from them and many other kinds of plants, essentially turning them into kindling.aren’t necessarily less flammable” than introduced species, Steinberg said.
But nonnative, invasive plants often pose higher fire risks because they spread readily, typically are left undisturbed by wildlife, outcompete native vegetation, and often tolerate heat, drought and heavy rains well. They can quickly cover fields, acres and even miles of land, where a spark, such as from lightning, can set them ablaze.
For the best fire resistance, select deciduous trees, like ash, crabapple, dogwood, locust, maple and oak, over fine-needled evergreens. Succulents with water-filled leaves, like ice plants and sedums, are slow burners, as are some groundcovers, like ajuga and creeping phlox.identifying these general plant characteristics as fire-resistant:• Open branching habits .• Non-resinous material on the plant .
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