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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | AUGUST 2026 | 11 Four Seasons Hemet: A Firewise Community – Landscaping In a Firewise community, Firewise landscaping means designing and maintaining your yard to help reduce the risk of wildfire spreading to your home. You can still have attractive landscaping, but plants should be selected, spaced, and maintained to reduce fire hazards. The Four Seasons community has been designated a Firewise community. Our Firewise certificate can be obtained at the Lodge front desk. Our approved plant material list is also available at the Lodge. DO NOT remove or change out plant material without ARC approval. Create Defensible Space 0–5 Feet from the Home (Immediate Zone) Use rock, pavers, or well-watered low-growing plants. Avoid bark or wood-chip mulch immediately next to the house. Keep this area free of dry leaves, pine needles, and dead vegetation. 5–30 Feet from the Home (Intermediate Zone) Space plants and shrubs apart so fire cannot easily spread. Keep lawns mowed and irrigated. Break up large masses of vegetation. Recommended Firewise Plants for Hemet Flowering Perennials • California Fuchsia – Brilliant red-orange f lowers in late summer and fall. • Red Yucca – Coral-red f lower spikes for months and highly heat tolerant. • Penstemon – Spring blooms in red, pink, and purple shades. • Yarrow – Long bloom season with yellow, white, pink, or red f lowers. • Society Garlic – Purple f lowers much of the year. Shrubs for Long-Lasting Color • Toyon – White f lowers followed by bright red berries in winter. • California Lilac (Ceanothus) – Spectacular blue spring f lowers. • Cleveland Sage – Fragrant foliage and purple blooms. • Bush Sunf lower – Cheerful yellow f lowers through much of the year. Evergreen Structure and Texture • Coral Bells – Attractive colorful foliage year-round. • Manzanita – Beautiful red bark and winter f lowers. Firewise Maintenance Tips • Keep the first 5 feet around your home mostly noncombustible. • Avoid dense masses of shrubs touching each other. • Remove dead leaves, spent f lowers, and dry branches regularly. • Space trees so canopies do not touch. • Trim trees at least 5 feet away from your roof. • Use efficient irrigation to keep plants healthy. • Use drip irrigation to keep plants healthy without wasting water. • Clean roofs and gutters of debris In Hemet, the fire risk can be significant. Local fire agencies often recommend using drought-tolerant native plants while maintaining adequate spacing and keeping the first five feet around the home as noncombustible as possible. Architectural Review