State Advocacy
In addition to regulations, SAFRR was formed to address state legislation related to our Mission.
Regulatory Efforts
SAFRR worked tirelessly through 2021-2023 to address deficiencies in the California Board of Forestry’s on-going process to amend the 1991 Fire Safe Regulations. SAFRR directors participated in public hearings, addressed issues and engaged legal counsel to counter deficiencies in the process and amendments that would have undermined the fire safe regulations. 2022 Letter by SAFRR’s Attorney
SAFRR built coalitions of retired fire professionals and statewide organizations who fought and won - preserving the protective elements of the regulations. The Board of Forestry ultimately set aside these proposals in August 2022, and adopted an updated set of State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations (FSR) were released in April, 2023.
Legislative Defense
In 2024, SAFRR was part of a coalition of over 100 organizations and multiple local jurisdictions that successfully opposed and stopped State Bill 610, “gut and amend” legislation (suspended in 2024).
Hayley Smith, Staff Writer, for the LA Times (August 11, 2024) summarized the impact of SB 610: “California bill would abolish state fire hazard rankings, ‘true insanity’ critics say.”
“A legislative proposal to overhaul California’s decades-old wildfire mapping system is generating intense debate, with critics saying it threatens to fundamentally reshape the state’s fire and housing policies and increase development in fire-prone areas.”
Ongoing Efforts
We actively support legislation and regulations that promote and provide for safe evacuation and protect public safety. SAFRR, and our coalition partners, are continuing to fully participate in the legislative process, particularly in the wake of the 2025 Los Angeles fires.