California Governor Orders Homeowners To Clear Fire-Prone Areas

Husband and wife Tommy Keiser and Chelsea Bayouth comfort each other after their home of four years was destroyed along East Harriet St. during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 11

Following the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles that claimed thousands of homes, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to issue an executive order mandating homeowners in high-risk areas to remove combustible materials surrounding their properties. The regulation, initially approved by lawmakers in 2020 and scheduled for implementation by January 1, 2023, will require homeowners to clear dead plants and wooden items within 5 feet of their homes in fire-prone regions.

Despite the urgency highlighted by recent fires in LA, the regulations had not been finalized, prompting frustration among legislators and experts. The delay in implementing these rules was evident during the Palisades Fire, which became the most destructive fire in Los Angeles city history, destroying over 5,000 structures in areas like Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Topanga Canyon.

The proposed executive order will also expand the fire-prone areas map by approximately 1.4 million acres, subjecting more homeowners to fire mitigation requirements. The directive aims to enhance wildfire and forest resilience through various strategies, including community hardening, investments in firefighting resources, and the adoption of advanced response technologies.

Regulations aim to enhance wildfire resilience through strategies like community hardening and advanced response technologies.

Governor Newsom's executive order mandates homeowners in high-risk areas to remove combustible materials.

Delays in finalizing regulations led to frustration among legislators and experts.

The new regulation introduces an 'ember-resistant' zone, known as 'zone zero,' prohibiting flammable materials within 5 feet of homes to prevent embers from igniting structures. Embers, responsible for 90% of structures destroyed by wildfires, pose a significant threat during fire incidents.

While California already enforces stringent defensible-space laws, the latest measure underscores the state's commitment to enhancing fire safety measures in high-risk areas. The governor's proposal to allocate $25 million towards ensuring compliance with these rules reflects a proactive approach to safeguarding vulnerable communities.

With bipartisan support, the zone-zero law emerged in response to record-breaking fires in 2017 and 2018, including the catastrophic blaze that razed Paradise, claiming thousands of structures and lives. The executive order signifies a crucial step towards bolstering fire prevention efforts and protecting Californians from future wildfire disasters.