A4 Save established trees first. Water them w/soaker hoses, slowly, to moisten soil 18-24 inches deep. Then save shrubs. #SunsetChat

Q5: What steps should people take to transition to a low-water garden? #SunsetChat

A5 Ditch turf. Use permeable paving 4 paths & patios. Gradually replace thirsty plants w/drought-tolerant ones. Install drip. #SunsetChat

Q9: Top 3 water-saving habits that everyone should adopt. GO! #SunsetChat

A9 Never leave sprinklers or hoses on long enough that water runs off down the street. Cover unused swimming pools. #SunsetChat

Q11: Say one thing optimistic about this drought. Please! #finalquestion #SunsetChat

A11 Hopefully, it'll make us change our wasteful habits in a dry state. #SunsetChat

Don't miss KQED Forum Aug 12 at 10. Subject: Saving water.KQED Forum

A4 A roof of non-combustible materials. Thermal-pane and safety glass windows. Enclosed eaves. Non-flammable decking. #SunsetChat

A4: Don’t forget to trim back tree branches that overhang the roof, and clean house gutters of leaf litter. #SunsetChat

Q5: What about landscaping? How do you have a lawn and garden that's fire safe but still looks pretty? #SunsetChat

A5: Start w/the right plants. Lots of pretty firewise, drought tolerant ones. Check out CalFire bit.ly/1m8vr9X #SunsetChat

A5 Watered greenbelt/buffer of paving near house & drought tolerant ground covers around perimeter. Widely space trees/shrubs. #SunsetChat

A5: For other good ideas check out a firewise display garden near you. Like this one, in Elfin Forest readyforwildfire.org/landscaping/ #SunsetChat

A5: Another good one, in Santa Barbara. waterwisesb.org #SunsetChat

Q6: Is there such a thing as a fire resistant plant? #SunsetChat

A6 No. In bad fires, all plants burn. Plants that contain moisture but no volatile oils/resins are fire-resistant, though. #SunsetChat

A6 For plants that resist fire & drought, like garden penstemons and Ceanothus ‘Concha’, check this out: bit.ly/1tZ3wvt #SunsetChat

A6: Lots of regional plant lists out there. In Oregon, see firefree.org/images/uploads… #SunsetChat

A6: Find good plants for Colorado here: ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06… #SunsetChat