Beautiful and Fire-Smart: How Firescaping Can Help Reduce Wildfire Risk Around the Home

Mercury Insurance (NYSE:MCY) outlines how “firescaping” can help reduce wildfire risk around homes while preserving curb appeal.

Rhea-AI Summary

Mercury Insurance (NYSE:MCY) outlines how “firescaping” can help reduce wildfire risk around homes while preserving curb appeal. Guidance from IBHS and CAL FIRE stresses a noncombustible “Zone 0” within five feet of structures, careful plant selection, hardscaping, fuel breaks, and year-round yard maintenance.

Argus May 28 session

-2.83% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – MCY

On May 28, the day this news came out, MCY closed 2.83% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 28 session.

Market Context

This announcement extends Mercury Insurance’s wildfire preparedness messaging by detailing “firescap...

Analysis

This announcement extends Mercury Insurance’s wildfire preparedness messaging by detailing “firescaping” strategies for the critical first five feet around homes, echoing themes seen in earlier ember-focused and evacuation-planning releases. It reinforces MCY’s emphasis on mitigation in wildfire-prone regions. Investors tracking the story may watch how this consumer-focused risk education complements the company’s wildfire-related initiatives and recent regulatory filings, including its new Form S-3ASR debt shelf.

Key Figures

Zone 0 distance: first five feet

Zone 0 distance

first five feet

Immediate area around home emphasized as critical wildfire zone

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 26

5 events

1. May 26

   Consumer guidance

   24h Move

   +0.5%

   Guidance to new graduates on avoiding insurance coverage gaps.

2. May 21

   Wildfire education

   24h Move

   -0.6%

   Highlighting ember-driven wildfire risk and mitigation steps for homes.

3. May 19

   Safety analytics

   24h Move

   -0.6%

   Auto claims analysis identifying peak crash and injury windows.

4. May 14

   Evacuation planning

   24h Move

   -0.9%

   Wildfire evacuation planning tips and commonly overlooked items.

5. May 12

   Strategic investment

   24h Move

   +2.7%

   Strategic investment in BurnBot to advance wildfire mitigation.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

firescaping, noncombustible, Zone 0, ladder fuels, +1 more

5 terms

firescaping technical

"encouraging homeowners to rethink traditional landscaping through the growing practice of "firescaping,""

Firescaping is the practice of arranging and caring for plants, trees, and outdoor materials around buildings to reduce the chance that a wildfire will reach and damage them—think removing nearby fuel, spacing trees, and choosing less-flammable plants and surfaces. For investors, effective firescaping lowers physical risk, can reduce insurance and compliance costs, and protects property value and operating expenses, much like installing a protective barrier around an asset.

noncombustible technical

"Create a noncombustible zone closest to the home"

Noncombustible describes a material or product that does not catch fire and burn under normal conditions and regulatory tests. For investors, noncombustible classification matters because it affects a company’s regulatory approvals, liability exposure, insurance costs, and marketability—similar to choosing a metal instead of paper for a roof: a noncombustible option reduces the chance of fire-related losses and can lower compliance and operating risks.

Zone 0 technical

"within the first five feet surrounding a structure, often referred to as "Zone 0.""

Zone 0 is a safety classification for a place where a flammable gas or vapor is present continuously or for long periods, meaning ignition could occur at any time. For investors, it signals higher operational and regulatory risk because equipment, maintenance, insurance and permits must meet strict standards to prevent explosions, which can affect capital spending, downtime and liability exposure — like running an always-on stove that requires special safety gear.

ladder fuels technical

"Eliminate ladder fuels Shrubs, brush, and lower tree branches can create pathways"

Layers of vegetation—such as grasses, shrubs and small trees—that act like rungs on a ladder, allowing a ground fire to climb into the taller tree canopy. Investors should note ladder fuels because they increase wildfire risk to timber, property, utilities and other assets, which can raise insurance costs, damage operations, trigger regulatory responses and reduce the value of land and related investments.

hardscaping technical

"Use hardscaping to create natural breaks Stone walkways, retaining walls, patios"

Hardscaping is the use of non‑living, built materials—like stone, concrete, brick, wood, and metal—to shape outdoor spaces into features such as patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls and seating areas. For investors, hardscaping matters because these durable, visible elements affect a property’s curb appeal, maintenance needs and long‑term replacement costs, much like a kitchen remodel can change a home’s value and upkeep profile.

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During Wildfire Preparedness Month, Mercury Insurance shares practical landscaping strategies that can help homeowners create more resilient outdoor spaces

LOS ANGELES, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As communities across wildfire-prone regions continue preparing for another active fire season, Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) is encouraging homeowners to rethink traditional landscaping through the growing practice of "firescaping," a wildfire-conscious approach to yard design that can help reduce ignition risk while maintaining curb appeal.

Research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), CAL FIRE, and wildfire safety experts continues to show that a home's immediate surroundings can play a major role in whether it survives a wildfire. Embers, which can travel miles ahead of an active fire, are one of the leading causes of home ignitions and often ignite dry vegetation, combustible mulch, fencing, and debris surrounding a structure.

"Many homeowners think wildfire mitigation means removing everything from their yard, but firescaping is really about making smarter choices around how outdoor spaces are designed and maintained," said Holly Sacks, Director, Portfolio Underwriting and CAT Management at Mercury Insurance. "Small landscaping changes can help reduce opportunities for embers to ignite around the home while still creating an attractive and enjoyable outdoor environment."

IBHS and CAL FIRE guidance emphasize the importance of reducing combustible materials closest to the home, particularly within the first five feet surrounding a structure, often referred to as "Zone 0." This area is considered critical because embers frequently accumulate near foundations, vents, fences, decks, and landscaping features during wildfire events.

To help homeowners create more fire-conscious landscapes, Mercury Insurance recommends several firescaping strategies supported by wildfire preparedness experts:

Create a noncombustible zone closest to the home

CAL FIRE recommends minimizing combustible materials within the first five feet around a structure. Gravel, stone, pavers, and concrete surfaces can help reduce ignition opportunities compared to bark, wood mulch, or dry vegetation.

Choose plants carefully

While no plant is completely fireproof, IBHS and wildfire experts recommend selecting plants with higher moisture content and lower levels of oils or resins. Proper spacing and ongoing maintenance are equally important.

Reduce fuel continuity in landscaping

Dense clusters of shrubs and vegetation can allow fire to spread more easily across a property. Spacing plants apart and avoiding continuous rows of vegetation can help slow fire movement.

Eliminate ladder fuels

Shrubs, brush, and lower tree branches can create pathways that allow ground fires to climb into trees and spread more rapidly. Trimming lower branches and maintaining vertical spacing between plants can help reduce this risk.

Use hardscaping to create natural breaks

Stone walkways, retaining walls, patios, and gravel paths can serve as attractive design features while also helping interrupt the spread of fire across a property.

Keep outdoor areas maintained year-round

Leaves, pine needles, dead vegetation, and debris should be removed regularly from gutters, under decks, and around landscaping features where embers may collect.

According to IBHS research, homes located in the same neighborhood can experience dramatically different outcomes during a wildfire depending on surrounding conditions, maintenance, and mitigation efforts.

"Preparedness does not have to come at the expense of curb appeal," Sacks added. "Firescaping is about creating a safer, more resilient property while still maintaining outdoor spaces homeowners can enjoy."

For more wildfire preparedness information and safety resources, visit [Mercury resource link].

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance.

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Media interested in receiving updates from Mercury can learn more at the Mercury Newsroom.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beautiful-and-fire-smart-how-firescaping-can-help-reduce-wildfire-risk-around-the-home-302784364.html

SOURCE Mercury Insurance Services, LLC

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What is firescaping and how can it reduce wildfire risk around my home?

Firescaping is a wildfire-conscious landscaping approach that helps lower home ignition risk while keeping yards attractive. According to Mercury Insurance, it focuses on plant choice, fuel reduction, hardscaping, and maintenance to limit ember ignition near structures during wildfire events.

Why is the first five feet around a house (Zone 0) important for wildfire protection?

The first five feet around a house, called Zone 0, is critical because embers often accumulate there. According to Mercury Insurance, IBHS and CAL FIRE recommend minimizing combustible materials in this zone to reduce ignition opportunities from wind-blown embers.

Which landscaping materials does Mercury Insurance recommend near homes in wildfire-prone areas?

Mercury Insurance recommends noncombustible materials like gravel, stone, pavers, and concrete close to homes in wildfire zones. According to Mercury Insurance, these surfaces reduce ignition risk compared with bark, wood mulch, or dry vegetation, especially within the first five feet around a structure.

What plant and spacing strategies support firescaping for Mercury Insurance policyholders?

Firescaping favors plants with higher moisture and lower oils or resins, spaced to limit fire spread. According to Mercury Insurance, proper spacing, trimming, and avoiding dense clusters or continuous rows of vegetation help reduce fuel continuity across a property during wildfires.

How can hardscaping features help protect MCY homeowners from wildfire damage?

Hardscaping features like stone walkways, retaining walls, patios, and gravel paths can create natural fire breaks. According to Mercury Insurance, these elements double as design enhancements and barriers that interrupt fire movement across yards and away from homes in wildfire-prone communities.

What yard maintenance habits does Mercury Insurance advise for wildfire preparedness?

Mercury Insurance advises regular removal of leaves, pine needles, dead vegetation, and debris from gutters, decks, and landscaping. According to Mercury Insurance, consistent year-round cleanup in areas where embers collect supports better wildfire outcomes for neighboring homes with similar exposures.