BOF Adopts “Zone Zero” Regs
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) approved Zone Zero regulations based on professional experience and scientific research that indicates homes are most vulnerable to ignition from embers. After nearly six years of backlash and debate, the landscaping requirements within five feet of homes were compromised.
“I think it’s worth just noting what a good job this board has been able to do,” said Matt Weiner, chief executive and founder of Megafire Action, a national advocacy group working to end the wildfire crisis. “The board was able to find a functioning compromise that is still grounded in science … while addressing the biggest of the concerns from the community in the context of really unscientific opposition.”
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Even though California’s new fire-safe landscaping rules are strongest in the country (Source: LA Times, Noah Haggerty August 27, 2026), the compromises made to Zone Zero do not meet the insurers’ scientific research or their expectations of property owners.
Each fire hardening activity adds a level of protection, yet State fire professionals emphasize the importance of the first five feet from a structure – known as Zone Zero.
“The area defined in this regulation is the most critical zone for protecting a home, and neighborhoods, during a wildfire,” said BOF Board Chair Terry O'Brien. “We’ve taken a thoughtful, science-based approach to develop standards that will meaningfully reduce risk while still being practical for homeowners.”
Although these new State Regulations are required only on land in the State Responsibility Areas and Local Responsibility Area very high fire hazard severity zones (VHFHSZ), homeowners in moderate hazard zones often implement protective measures to comply with insurance requirements based on risk models. (CalFire Website - Enter Address to learn your Fire Hazard Severity Zone)
Sources:
California’s new fire-safe landscaping rules are strongest in the country. LA Times, Noah Haggerty. August 27, 2026.
“State Approves Zone Zero fire-safe landscaping rules, reshaping yards for millions of Californians”, LA Times, Noah Haggarty and Haley Smith, August 19, 2026.
Board of Forestry – August 19, 2026 – Zone Zero Press Release
Zone Zero is not optional – Why California’s Most At-Risk Communities Need the Strongest Possible Ember Protection. Todd Lando. September 25, 2025.
SAFRR Notes: Fire science has evolved in the last decade, with technical studies documenting fire ember pathways that burn structures from within, testing home hardening techniques, and defining defensible space measures.
State Regulations designed to build wildfire resilience alone will not solve California’s “existential fire crisis” – homeowners and community-based fire safety organizations play key roles in creating defensible space around homes.
Land use decisions are also critical as fire science indicates that increasing the space between structures lowers fire risk significantly. Although not always feasible in existing communities, planning departments and decision makers for new communities are wise to take structure density into consideration.