Governor Gavin Newsom calls for swift action on ember-free zone regulations to safeguard homes from wildfires, while acknowledging the need for financial assistance and education for homeowners.
California Governor Gavin News om has urged the state Board of Forestry to expedite the implementation of ember-free regulations, originally ordered four years ago, aimed at safeguarding homes from wildfires. These regulations, part of the 'defensible space' concept, mandate the creation of an ember-free zone around structures by utilizing non-combustible materials like rock, brick, or paving around building perimeters, while removing flammable wood fences and vegetation.
Newsom announced his intention to sign an executive order instructing the forestry board to accelerate the process, though board Executive Officer Edith Hannigan clarified that the regulations are still six to nine months away from public comment. This delay has drawn criticism from U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), who authored the 'zone zero' measure while in the state Assembly. Friedman expressed frustration at the lack of progress since the bill's passage, emphasizing the urgency of implementing these regulations, especially in light of the recent destructive wildfires.'Zone zero' regulations require existing homes to comply within three years. While the exact number of homes potentially saved remains unclear, experts agree that clearing flammable materials around homes could have mitigated some damage. Hannigan acknowledged the complexity of the regulations due to the costs associated with retrofitting homes and highlighted the board's focus on providing financial assistance and educational resources to homeowners. She also admitted that the regulations should have been implemented sooner, stating that 'This should have been done years ago, and we see now why this is so important.' Friedman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the ripple effect of a single fire-prone house on an entire neighborhood and stressing the importance of proactive measures for fire safety
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE GOVERNOR NEWSOM EMBER-FREE ZONE DEFENSIBLE SPACE FIRE SAFETY HOME PROTECTION
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