Idaho State Office - As part of Idaho Wildfire Prevention Week, BLM botanist Roger Rosentreter and Boise State University horticulture student Brett Van Paepeghem were available at Boise’s Firewise Garden to talk about firewise landscaping and fire-resistant plants. Rosentreter provided a tour through the garden, where he discussed the viability of native and drought-resistant landscaping and the importance of firewise plants. 

Every year, more homes burn because of wildfires. In 2007, over 5,400 homes and buildings were lost to wildfires nation-wide, many of which could have been saved if the homeowners had used firewise techniques around their homes. Rosentreter discussed the garden’s role in showcasing fire and drought-resistant landscaping and how homeowners can utilize the plants to increase their homes’ survivability during a wildfire. Wildland fire prevention specialists were also available to discuss firewise principles and wildland fires in southwest Idaho. 

The garden, located just north of the Idaho Botanical Garden next to the Old Idaho Penitentiary, stemmed from a project started by Rosentreter three years ago. Rosentreter was working on a fire-resistant plant database for wildland urban interface areas in the Northern Great Basin habitat, and he wanted to test the feasibility of the plants on his list.

The Firewise Garden in Boise

"I wanted to assemble a comprehensive plant list people could use to create fire-resistant landscaping around their homes, but I wanted to make sure that the plants could flourish in Great Basin habitats, like the climate of the Boise area," Rosentreter explained.

Rosentreter formed a partnership with Boise State’s Horticulture program. Boise State Horticulture students planted the garden and are currently managing and maintaining it. Rosentreter studies how well the plants grow in this climate, how much water they need and how fire-resistant they are. Rosentreter then uses the data from the garden to update the plant list.