New rules for approving development in high fire-risk areas

The California State Legislature recently passed legislation requiring that counties certify that adequate fire protection is in place before approving new subdivisions in high fire-hazard areas.

The number of homes destroyed by wildfires has increased over the years, as developments have gone up in ever-closer proximity to wild lands. Cal Fire (formerly the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) spent $330 million defending homes during the last fiscal year, including those not under its jurisdiction, even though its budget was only $69 million. The gap was paid for out of the state's general fund.

AB 2447, authored by Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento), requires that counties certify that the designs and locations of new subdivisions in high-risk areas are consistent with Cal Fire's design standards for slope, turnouts, water pressure and other factors. Also, they must certify that structural fire protection can be provided by local or state fire agencies in the area, and that firefighters and residents will be able to get in and out of the area from more than one direction.

The bill, whose fate is uncertain, is on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.

-- Diane Wedner

Your thoughts? Comments?

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[The Original RZ]

Woohoo! Someone's doing something right. Now can they make this retroactive and force those areas that don't have adequate fire protection (cough - San Diego - cough) to get that protection?

[smrr]

this is so past due. we just approved another huge fire budet for this state for the forest fires. waste of money. should lower the budget, do controlled burns and don't build in fire prone areas\. every year they talk about finding "arsonists" to distract the public. premiere california historian, mike davis of UC irvine called this out years ago in 'ecology of fear.'

[Fourth Generation]

At first glance from the report this is a sensible piece of legislation providing sensible guidelines for development. Duh!! what a stupid idiot I am. This is just more big government messing with peoples' lives. Forget it this bill is DOA at the Governator desk.

[syscom3]

This should have been implimented 30 years ago.

Make the people who live in wildfire zones (hint ..... Malibu) pay for the fire protection.

It seems the same area's get burned decade after decade.