Fire Prone (pyrophytic) Plants
Some plants ignite easily, burn intensely, and belong nowhere near a home. These fire-prone (pyrophytic) species share traits that make them hazardous fuel: resinous or oily foliage, fine dry material, and heavy accumulation of dead leaves, needles, or bark.
The species below are common in San Mateo County, both native and introduced. Native fire-prone plants such as manzanita and coyote brush have ecological value in wildland settings, but they should not grow within your defensible space zones close to structures. Invasive fire-prone plants such as the brooms, gorse, and pampas grass should be removed wherever you find them; see our invasive species page. If any of these plants grow near your home, prioritize removing them from Zone 0 and Zone 1 first, then manage or remove them in Zone 2 based on spacing and slope. Replace them with choices from our fire-resistant plant list.
Fire-Prone Plant Species in San Mateo County
| Scientific name | Common name |
|---|---|
| Abies spp. | Fir trees |
| Acacia spp. | Acacia species |
| Adenostoma fasciculatum | Chamise, greasewood |
| Adenostoma sparsifolium | Redshank |
| Arctostaphylos spp. | Manzanitas |
| Artemisia californica | California sagebrush |
| Baccharis spp. | Coyote brush |
| Bambusa spp. | Bamboo |
| Cortaderia jubata | Jubata grass |
| Cortaderia selloana | Pampas grass |
| Cupressus spp. | Cypress species |
| Cytisus scoparius | Scotch broom |
| Eucalyptus globulus | Blue gum eucalyptus |
| Genista monspessulana | French broom |
| Juniperus communis | Common juniper |
| Juniperus flaccida | Weeping juniper |
| Pennisetum spp. | Fountain grasses |
| Picea spp. | Spruces |
| Pinus attenuata | Knobcone pine |
| Pinus coulteri | Coulter pine |
| Pinus muricata | Bishop pine |
| Pinus radiata | Monterey pine |
| Pinus sabiniana | Gray pine |
| Pinus serotina | Pond pine |
| Pinus sylvestris | Scots pine |
| Pinus torreyana | Torrey pine |
| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary |
| Spartium junceum | Spanish broom |
| Thuja spp. | Arborvitae |
| Tsuga spp. | Hemlock |
| Ulex europaeus | Gorse |
A note on junipers and rosemary: these are among the most common landscape plants in San Mateo County and among the most flammable. Post-fire investigations regularly find them implicated in home ignitions when planted against structures. If you keep only one commitment from this page, remove junipers and other resinous shrubs from the first 5 feet around your home.