What you need to know about California’s new ‘Zone Zero’ fire safety proposal

After years of heated debates between fire officials, scientists and local advocates, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection released new proposed rules for fire-prone areas Friday outlining what residents can and cannot do within the first 5 feet of their homes.

Many of these proposed laws – designed to reduce the risk of house fires during wildfires – have broad support (or at least acceptance); however, the most controversial issue so far is whether the state will allow healthy plants in the area.

Many fire officials and safety representatives have argued that basically anything that can burn, will burn and have advocated removing almost anything that can burn from this area within 5 feet of homes, called “Zone Zero.” They point to a string of devastating urban fires in recent years as the reason for the swift move.

However, researchers studying the array of benefits shade and additional foliage can bring to neighborhoods — and local advocates worried about the money and labor required to comply with regulations — argue that this approach exceeds what current science shows is effective. Instead, they generally allowed green, healthy plants to be allowed in the area.

A new set of regulations attempts to close the gap. They outlined stricter requirements to remove all plants from the new “Safety Zone” between the foot of the house and within a large barrier around potential hazards to home wildfires, including windows that could shatter from extreme heat and wood floors that could easily burst into flames. Everywhere, the rules will allow residents to take care of certain plants, although they still have important restrictions.

Regulations generally do not require the removal of healthy trees – rather, they require giving these trees a normal haircut.

If the state implements the final version of the rules, homeowners will have three years to plan their property and up to five years if they ask for more, including removing all vegetation from the Security Zone and updating fireproof fences and sheds within 5 meters of the home. The new buildings will have to comply quickly.

The rules apply only to areas with significant fire danger, including urban areas that Cal Fire has determined have a “very high” fire risk and rural wildlands.

Officers with the Board will we met in Calabasas on Thursday from 1pm to 7pm to discuss the new proposal and hear from residents.

Where is the Safety Zone?

A proposed Safety Zone with strict requirements to remove all vegetation would extend 1 foot from the exterior walls of the home.

In a few areas with high wildfire risk, it is moving forward.

The Safety Zone includes any land below the roof. If the overhang extends 3 feet, so does the Area of ​​Safety in that area. It also extends 2 meters from any windows, doors and openings, and 5 meters from attached decks.

What plants will be allowed in the Safety Zone?

Generally, nothing new can stay in the Security Zone. This includes a donkey, green grass, trees and flowers.

What plants will be allowed throughout Zone Zero?

Homeowners can keep grass (and other ground covers, such as moss) in this area, as long as it is cut to no more than 3 inches in length.

The rules also allow smaller plants — from begonias to succulents — up to 18 inches tall as long as they are grouped. Residents can also keep potted plants in spaces below this height, as long as they are easily removable.

What about fences, trees and gates?

Any sheds or other outbuildings may require fireproof exterior walls and roofs in Zone Zero – Safety Zone or not.

Residents will need to replace the first five feet of any combustible fence or gates attached to their home with something made of non-combustible materials, such as steel.

Trees will generally be allowed in Zone Zero. Homeowners will need to keep any branches away from walls, five feet above the ceiling and 10 feet from the chimney.

Residents will also need to remove any branches in the lower third of the tree (or up to 6 feet, whichever is shorter) to prevent fires down from climbing into the canopy.

Some trees with trunks directly into the house in this 1-foot buffer or under the roof overhang may need to be removed – as keeping branches away from the home may be difficult (or impossible).

However, the board emphasized that it wants to avoid tree removal whenever possible and encouraged homeowners to work with local fire department inspectors to find solutions on a case-by-case basis.

What’s new and what’s not

Some of the rules discussed in Zone Zero are not new – they have been on the books for years, classified as Zone One requirements, which extend 30 feet from the home with generally less stringent rules, and Zone Two, which extend 100 feet from the home with the least strict rules.

For example, homeowners are already required to remove dead or dying grass, plants and trees. They also need to remove leaves, branches and needles from the gutters, and they already cannot keep exposed wood in the piles near their house.

Residents are also already required to keep their lawns shorter than 4 inches; Zone Zero drops this by inches.