• California has lagged in enforcing new fire safety regulations designed to protect homes from wildfires.
• The state has not established a timeline for implementing laws passed in 2020 that mandate creating a "zone zero" around homes.
• As wildfires devastate neighborhoods, experts warn that compliance with these regulations could significantly impact survival rates during fires.
• Current discussions focus on clearing combustibles from within 5 feet of homes to minimize fire risk.
• Lack of action raises concerns from lawmakers and fire safety advocates about potential losses in future wildfires.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In the wake of devastating wildfires, including California's deadliest one on record, the implementation of critical fire safety laws has stalled. Lawmakers had enacted stringent requirements in 2020 to ensure homeowners clear combustible materials, such as dead plants and wooden furniture, within a **5-foot (1.5 meters)** radius around their properties in high-risk areas. These new rules were set to come into force on January 1, 2023, yet state officials have not finalized the regulations, leaving many in wildfire-prone areas vulnerable as blazes ravage the state ([AP](https://apnews.com/article/california-defensible-space-zone-zero-ember-resistant-73739a63eafc6239753152f19e7cc81f)).

The recent escalation in wildfire destruction, particularly seen in Los Angeles, prompts urgent calls for action. The region faces what could become the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, with at least 5,000 structures destroyed and communities such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Topanga Canyon heavily affected. State Senator **Henry Stern**, a driving force behind the legislation, expressed deep frustration, stating, "I feel like a failure on it, being quite frank." These sentiments resonate as many neighborhoods devastated by the Palisades Fire are required to adhere to stricter safety regulations that have yet to be officially adopted ([HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/california-wildfires-defensible-space_n_678a27a6e4b01361218fcdc5)).

Environmental and fire safety authorities emphasize that implementing measures mandatory for homeowners could significantly increase the chances of a property surviving a wildfire. Steve Hawks, a former state firefighter, pointed out that, while no guarantees exist, "we feel really strongly that it would" improve odds for many homes if these provisions had been in place during recent fires.

Known as **defensible space laws**, existing regulations require homeowners to clear debris and flammable materials from around their properties to lessen fire danger. Since the 1960s, California has established some of the most comprehensive public safety regulations in the West, initially mandating the removal of combustible materials from **30 feet (9 meters)** around homes, and later expanding that range to **100 feet (30.5 meters)** in 2006. The proposed "zone zero" will further restrict allowable materials within **5 feet** of residences, aimed at reducing the risk of fires spreading from embers carried by wind, which account for **90% of wildfire-related structure losses**.

The **zone zero** law, crafted with widespread bipartisan support following catastrophic fires in **2017** and **2018**, has gained attention for its potential life-saving effects. However, even after starting discussions a decade ago, critical next steps remain pending, leaving many perplexed regarding the delay. **Yana Valachovic**, a fire scientist at the University of California, highlights the importance of proper adherence to these guidelines, supporting the belief that greater compliance translates to higher survival rates for homes during fire events. She urges all stakeholders to act promptly: "We have to do everything to push the equation."

The **Board of Forestry and Fire Protection** is in the early stages of formulating new rules, aiming to address the complexities and costs associated with compliance before any proposals are presented. The agency has been under pressure to expedite this process, particularly as home destruction rises. As discussions continue, lawmakers have extended the compliance deadline from one year to **three years** for existing homes under new regulations, a decision met with frustration from advocates for faster action ([AP](https://apnews.com/article/california-defensible-space-zone-zero-ember-resistant-73739a63eafc6239753152f19e7cc81f)).

Some activists suggest voluntary adoption of these safety measures, but skepticism remains prevalent within communities. Many residents remain unaware of the tangible risks posed by flammable materials surrounding their homes. Senator Stern recounted his own challenges in convincing family members to comply, revealing a need for greater awareness about the significance of small actions, such as clearing adjacent landscaping like rosemary bushes, in promoting fire safety effectiveness.

U.S. Representative **Laura Friedman**, who spearheaded the initial legislation for the **zone zero** initiative, lamented the time elapsed since its conceptualization. "It shouldn’t have taken years and years," she stated, advocating for immediate attention and appropriate urgency from state officials on this pressing issue. Currently, guidelines indicate the proposal includes mandatory compliance not just for existing homes but also imposing immediate requirements for new constructions.

As California braces for future wildfire seasons in a landscape increasingly threatened by flame, the obligation falls on the state government to finalize and enforce these fire safety measures, reinforcing a collective commitment to protect homes and communities from the devastating toll of wildfires.

For more details, you can read the full articles from the [AP](https://apnews.com/article/california-defensible-space-zone-zero-ember-resistant-73739a63eafc6239753152f19e7cc81f) and [HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/california-wildfires-defensible-space_n_678a27a6e4b01361218fcdc5).