Plants very close to your house (within 6 feet of your house): By far, the greatest risks to your house are plants in this “home zone.” There are four actions that you should consider: * Remove older, larger, or dying plants. Vigorous, smaller, and leggy plants are better. * Maintain your plants in good condition; get rid of dead branches and dead material under the plants; make sure they are watered regularly, preferably with a drip system. * Minimize any plants under windows, near decks, or at inside corners of your house. * Add new plants that are “fire-safe” (that have all of the characteristics above; avoid plants with fine materials such as junipers and cedars).