Malibu city leaders are emphasizing the importance of clearing flammable plants and flowers such as oleander and hibiscus from around homes as the June 1 brush clearance deadline approaches.
Residents are required to remove dead vegetation, trim trees, and clear at least 100 feet of flammable plants near their property lines to reduce wildfire risks in designated High Fire Hazard Zones.
Judy Graham-Bell, whose home survived the recent Palisades Fire, credits the removal of dead plant matter and certain vegetation for protecting her property. She stresses that avoiding highly flammable plants is crucial for fire safety and hopes her neighbors will follow suit.
Jerry Vandermeulen, Malibu’s fire safety liaison and former firefighter, offers free home assessments to guide residents on managing their landscaping to prevent fire damage. Since 2019, about half of the over 525 assessments conducted have met compliance standards.
The city warns that failure to clear hazardous plants and brush by the deadline may result in fines or liens on properties. These measures aim to safeguard homes by managing the types and conditions of plants and flowers surrounding them, ultimately reducing the spread of wildfires.
