Sagebrushes Artemisia

Of 16 assessed members, four are rated fire resistant, two are rated keep away, and ten were assessed without the sources taking a side. Artemisia caucasica and a general sagebrush listing have resistant ratings backed by substantial assessment, while prairie sagewort is rated resistant on a handful of assessments.

The strongest warnings apply to big sagebrush and coastal sagebrush. Both are rated keep away, and the City of Ashland restricts new planting or propagation of each within 30 feet of any structure, including structures on adjacent lots. Across the members’ own assessments, fine foliage recurs for two members, while maintenance and irrigation recur for two.

Big sagebrush, the most-studied member, also shows why the exact species matters. A U.S. Forest Service review of basin big sagebrush reports that it is readily killed when its aboveground parts are charred and does not sprout after fire. Those findings apply specifically to basin big sagebrush, not Artemisia as a whole. The genus therefore cannot be given one blanket fire-resistance label; a homeowner needs the rating for the particular Artemisia being considered.