More than 90 organizations have urged Governor Gavin Newsom to oppose a proposed bill that would abolish California’s fire hazard severity zone designations.
As reported by the Center for Biological Diversity, the coalition’s letter highlights that Senate Bill 610 would make it easier for developers to build in high-risk areas, potentially increasing wildfire risk.
Senate Bill 610 is currently under consideration in the Assembly.
It proposes eliminating classifications that guide land-use decisions aimed at reducing wildfire risk.
Additionally, the bill would shift decision-making power from the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to the state fire marshal.
J.P. Rose, policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Urban Wildlands program, expressed concerns: “California has watched nearly 350,000 acres go up in flames this year, but somehow lawmakers are thinking of tossing out safeguards that reduce wildfire risk.”
The coalition’s letter emphasizes the potential dangers posed by S.B. 610.
By facilitating development in high-risk areas, the bill could endanger the lives of residents and firefighters.
The letter calls for a focus on policies that enhance public safety rather than diminish existing protections.
Marylee Guinon of the State Alliance for Firesafe Road Regulations criticized the bill’s underlying assumptions: “S.B. 610 perpetuates the false narrative that new development in fire risk areas is mitigated and made safe by following current building codes.”
Recent wildfires in California, including the Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County and the Shelly Fire in Siskiyou County, have burned tens of thousands of acres in high and very high fire hazard severity zones.
These zones would lose their classifications under the new bill, increasing the risk of ignition in newly developed areas.
The coalition also raised concerns about the legislative process behind S.B. 610.
The bill is a “gut-and-amend” proposal, meaning its language was introduced last-minute, allowing little time for public or legislative review.
Howard Penn, executive director of the Planning and Conservation League, criticized the rushed process: “At a time when wildfires are currently threatening Californians across the state, it is absurd to be drastically changing our entire wildfire risk management system through a last-minute hasty piece of legislation.”
The coalition is urging Governor Newsom to reject S.B. 610 and prioritize comprehensive and deliberate policy-making processes that address both fire risk and housing needs in a balanced manner.
