We live in high-desert OR at about 4300 feet. Strong sun, chilly nights, cold winters. HATE watering and mowing a lawn, but need a good fire break and a little natural pretty. Looking to do something that will be low maintenance and drought/cold tolerant. We need to have firebreak about 50-70 feet around house. Have even considered going all stone, but not sure I want to store all the heat near the house since we don't have AC. Looking for ideas - easiest way to transition? Best plants to plant? Want casual/natural looking - natural growers here are lodgepole pines, ponderosa pines, rabbit brush, bitter brush, bunch grass (none of these are suitable for the "lawn" area, but giving an idea of what we have here in the area) HELP!