California approves Zone Zero fire-safety landscaping

California’s Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved Zone 0 regulations requiring a defensible space within five feet of homes in fire-prone areas, banning most combustibles and tight landscaping around residences and potentially affecting about 2 million homes. The rules, still undergoing state review and with a five-year compliance window for existing homes, were designed to curb ember ignition and wind-driven fires, though they sparked concerns about costs and loss of landscaping. Zone 0 creates a non-combustible core immediately adjacent to structures and a low-ignition outer zone, generally prohibiting materials like bark mulch, wood chips, leaves, and dead vegetation, while permitting select well-maintained plants and certain grounds covers. Local jurisdictions will have some discretion, and fines would start at $100 with enforcement largely focused on education and cooperation rather than punitive measures. The measures come after years of debate prompted by 2020 wildfires, and the board emphasized that immediate compliance is required for new constructions, with phased implementation and ongoing adjustments to address affordability and practicalities. Critics argue the rules could be draconian and costly, while proponents say they are a critical step to reduce wildfire losses and improve resilience.