Defensible Space Regualtion Changes Coming

By the next wildfire season, you will have to make some changes to your home’s defensible space. Starting January 1st you will need to abide by the parameters of Zone 0. This is the ember-resistant zone that extends 5 feet around your home and decks. Currently not required by law under Assembly Bill 30 74, which passed into law in 2020. But this law also includes that the third zone for defensible space must be developed by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection by January 1, 2023. Currently, only zone 1, the lean clean and green zone, extending 30 feet past your home’s boundary, and zone 2, the reduce fuel zone, extending 100 feet beyond your home are required. Zone 0 guidance includes mitigation efforts including using hardscapes like gravel or concrete around your home, limiting plants to low-growing non-woody shrubs, and relocating garbage containers outside of the 5-foot distance. You can learn more by visiting fire.ca.goc/dspace.