i remember from years ago there was a wildfire near OKC and i was watching the news helicopter footage on tv. i saw an interesting thing play out....there were houses burning in a subdivision that was a loooong way from the main fire. but from the chopper looking down you could see that the houses were burning and then could see the next house in line ready to go because the cedar privacy fence was like a fire wick that carried fire to each house in succession. if someone would have knocked out one section of fence how many houses would have been saved??? the yards were short and unburned. might consider planting some cool season grass around the edges for a green border???