Zone 0 Guidelines
On August 19, 2026, The California Board of Forestry, approved the Draft Guidelines of the Defensible Space Zones. It is a phased approach, but we all must comply if we live in a High Fire Severity Zone.
Phase I (Implemented within the first 3 years): Includes removing combustible items such as firewood, dead leaves and branches, mulch, and wood chips within 5 feet of the structure. Removing dead and dying plants, trimming trees according to regulations, and implementing or adjusting for allowable vegetation during this time period. To ensure alignment with current state law, combustible debris on roofs and rain gutters, dead tree branches, and branches within 10 feet of chimneys would be required to be removed upon the effective date of the regulations.
PHASE 2 (Implemented within 5 years): Local jurisdictions will assign a timeline, within 5 years of the effective date of the regulations, for the creation of an under-eave safety zone for vegetation other than trees, replacing combustible gates, and making any necessary adjustments to sheds and fencing.
For more information, click the link below.
Becoming a Firewise USA Community
The Firewise USA Program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual responsibility for preparing their homes from the risk of wildfire and provides resources to help homeowners learn how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together to take action now to prevent losses. Initiated in 2002 with 12 pilot neighborhoods, the national Firewise USA® Recognition Program has nearly 1,000 active member communities in 40 states, as well as a participation retention rate of 80 percent over the past decade. It provides specific criteria for communities regarding wildfire preparedness, and based on this criteria, offers national recognition for their work.
Firewise communities are those that have taken appropriate measures to become more resistant to wildfire structural damage. The techniques include minimizing the risk of home ignition by maintaining landscaping around residential structures, such as thinning trees and brush and choosing fire-resistant plants, and selecting ignition-resistant building materials. Communities that have earned the special distinction of being recognized under the Firewise USA Program have followed a systematic approach to organizing and implementing a Firewise mitigation plan in their neighborhood. Initially, it is a 3-year program where we set goals we wish to achieve over the next 3-years and report to Firewise on our progress.
Recognized Firewise communities may receive preferential consideration for state or federal mitigation grants and insurance advantages