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However, CAL Fire will NOT change defensible space inspection practices and forms or enforcement to implement the requirement for an ember-resistant zone until the director makes a written 􏰀nding that the Legislature has appropriated sucient resources to do so, which the director will post on CAL Fire's website, that the Legislature has appropriated sucient resources to do so. Moreover, this law is to be "based on regulations" by CAL Fire, and the promulgation of these regulations is "contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute for this purpose."
Current law requires a person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains an occupied dwelling or structure to maintain a defensible space of 100 feet from each side of the structure. This bill would require more intense fuel reductions between 5 and 30 feet around the structure and create an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of the structure to help reduce ember ignitions.
1) An ember-resistant zone shall include any attached deck.
2) Requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to not change defensible space inspection practices and forms or enforcement to implement the requirement for an ember-resistant zone until the director makes a written nding, which the director shall post on the department's internet website, that the Legislature has appropriated sucient resources to do so.
3) Regulations and updates to the defensible space guidance document to establish the ember-resistant zone are contingent upon appropriations by the Legislature.
According to the Author: Defensible space, or the reduction and maintenance of vegetation around the home, is vital for protecting homes and communities from wildre. Homes complying with the newest building standards are ignition resistant only if defensible space requirements are being met. Homes that have ignited in a high intensity wildre can send embers incredible distances. Defensible space is an important tool to stop the spread of wildres and provide a space for reghters to put out the re. Current defensible space requirements have a two zone defensible space strategy. Zone one is within 30 feet of the home, and zone two extends outward from 30 to100 feet of the home. These traditional zones are important for reducing ignition from direct ame contact.
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