This paper considers two similar projects located in the foothills of Santa Barbara,California. Both projects involve new residences in an area of fire prone slopes. This paperdescribes the techniques used to reduce the fuel volume on the slopes and to mitigateagainst any erosion or instability due to the removal of vegetation. These two projects are ofinterest because they demonstrate solutions to slope clearance for fuel reduction in high riskfire areas while addressing potential erosion and slope instability problems with creativeplanting approaches featuring the utilization of Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides). DougRichardson, a landscape designer, nurseryman, and IECA member designed both projects.The first project chronologically (1997–98) involves an architecturally unique and nowrenowned residence designed by its owner, architect Barton Meyers, to resist wildfire. Thelandscape was designed to augment this fire resistance, protect the 45 degree slopes fromerosion and failure, and also provide fruit and beauty. Pertinent details of the project treatedin the paper are: clearing of the site by hand; seeding to native grasses, legumes andwildflowers; chipping of the brush and placing the chips back on the slopes as a mulch;planting Vetiver grass hedges across the slope on the contour; creating rustic dry laid stonewalls across the contour to further shorten the slope length and reduce runoff velocities;planting of olive trees, blood oranges and grapevines with appropriately wide spacing forreduced fuel volume, while still providing plants with strong rooting characteristics.Photographs throughout the life of the project to the present day are a part of thepresentationThe second project is a residence not far from the Meyers’ project. As at the Meyers’,slopes were hand cleared and the brush chipped and placed back on the slope as mulch.The project features a commercial planting of organically grown banana plants planted onthe contours of the slopes. The banana plants, which are 75% water by weight, are fireresistant but do not have root systems suitable for protecting a slope from erosion andinstability. Vetiver hedges were planted along the contours in between each banana row. Theproject features 5 lineal miles of Vetiver hedges, which have prevented erosion and stabilizedthe slide prone slopes (there were three existing slides when the project began). Photographsof all stages of the project will be presented.
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