California fire officials are drafting new regulations that may ban most plants, mulch, and other flammable materials within five feet of homes in fire-prone areas.
As reported by Julie Johnson for The Chronicle, this initiative, mandated by the state Legislature, was expected to take effect last year.
However, the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has yet to finalize these rules.
Lisa Lien-Mager, an official at the state agency overseeing the board, stated that draft standards would be discussed before the end of the year.
South Lake Tahoe will begin enforcing the strictest ordinance in California for the five-foot zone closest to homes this month.
Homeowners must remove combustible materials such as bushes, flowers, wood piles, sheds, hot tubs, and pine needles.
Mature trees, which are less likely to catch fire from small embers, are permitted, provided low-hanging branches are trimmed.
Some well-irrigated plants with no woody stems are also allowed.
The rules apply to all of South Lake Tahoe, a heavily forested city of around 21,000 people on the shore of Lake Tahoe.
Since 2017, wildfires have destroyed more than 50,000 structures across California.
The state has embarked on a significant push to limit further disasters.
In 2020, Senate Bill 3074 was passed, requiring new defensible standards limiting combustible materials closest to homes in fire-prone areas.
Introduced by Assembly Member Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, the bill highlighted that one in four residential structures in California is in areas vulnerable to wildfires.
Some studies suggest this figure could be as high as 45%.
The concept of the “zone zero” or ember-resistant zone, immediately next to structures, is critical.
Embers from a nearby fire may die out or ignite woody plants or other flammable materials, spreading flames to the structure.
The National Fire Protection Association and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety developed this concept.
Factors such as the presence of flammable materials like oily juniper bushes and mulch were identified as major risks.
Hawks from the Insurance Institute said: “Even a small fire can burn across mulch or burn along the fence.
“It’s really that zone (closest to homes) that can take even the smallest of fires and allow it to get to the house.”
The California Natural Resources Agency is aware that the new standards could require homeowners to spend money revamping outdoor spaces.
The board is taking more time to develop a phase-in plan and gathering information about funding sources to help homeowners with mitigation costs.
The latest draft suggests the rules would first apply to new construction and later to existing homes.
There is no set timeframe for when the statewide rules will take effect.
This year, California published new maps categorizing wildfire risk across the state, which will determine where the “zone zero” rules apply.
Currently, these maps include only unincorporated areas and do not cover risky fire areas within cities.
Edith Hannigan, the executive officer of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, declined to comment.
South Lake Tahoe’s new ordinance, effective July 18, is partly inspired by the 2021 Caldor Fire, which burned over 220,000 acres and forced the entire city to evacuate.
Fire Marshal Kim George, who was on duty during the fire, emphasized the benefits of defensible space: “The whole street we were assigned to had done a really good job with defensible space.
“They gave firefighters a real opportunity to defend their homes.”
The city plans to focus on education rather than enforcement initially, giving property owners time to learn about the new rules.
During the summer, two or three defensible space inspectors are employed to inspect all properties within city limits every two years.
Homeowners applying for permits to alter or improve their property may now be required to upgrade their defensible space.
Real estate sales will require sellers to provide buyers with defensible space disclosures, including certification that the property complies with current ordinances.
Sharon Kerrigan, executive vice president of the South Tahoe Association of Realtors, mentioned that her organization urged the City Council to implement the change gradually, especially given the snowy winter limiting when property owners can do work.
However, most property owners seem to be keenly aware of the need to prepare for the next wildfire: “Tremendously, the community is behind defensible space work.
“This is something we can do.”
