California Proposes 'Zone 0' Wildfire Regulations Requiring Home Landscaping Changes
California homeowners in specific high-risk areas could soon be required to implement new landscaping changes under proposed 'Zone 0' wildfire regulations. The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is set to consider adopting these regulations on August 19, with potential implementation as early as next month. These rules target the immediate five feet around a home, an area where wind-blown embers often accumulate and ignite structures. Homeowners would need to remove combustible materials like fallen leaves, woodchips, and dead or dying branches. Additionally, there would be requirements for maintaining plants and trees, ensuring live tree branches are at least 10 feet from chimneys, and using non-combustible pots for plants. Changes to fences and sheds, such as replacing wooden gates with metal ones, may also be mandated. These regulations are part of California's broader wildfire resilience strategy, building upon existing 'Zone 1' and 'Zone 2' defensible space requirements. 
