Implementation Challenges

The standards set in the Fire Safe Regulations are a state minimum—local jurisdictions can write ordinances with stricter standards but not lesser standards.

Given that established communities and new developments rely on existing access roads, when local jurisdictions exempt public roads from minimum standards, evacuation bottlenecks are inevitable and lives will be lost.

Three criteria guide the intent of the Fire Safe Regulation standards:

  • unimpeded access by large firefighting apparatus;

  • concurrent evacuation of residents and workers; and

  • unobstructed traffic circulation during ongoing wildfire emergencies.

The following minimum access standards apply to all Existing or New Public and Private roads and road infrastructure providing access to new development:
- Roadways at least 20 feet wide for emergency vehicle access and concurrent evacuation
- Maximum dead-end road lengths based on the smallest parcel size served:
  - 1 mile if all parcels are 20+ acres
  - 2,640 feet if smallest parcel is 5–20 acres
  - 1,320 feet if smallest parcel is 1–5 acres
  - 800 feet if smallest parcel <1 acre
- Bridge load limits of 40,000 pounds
- Road grade limitations (up to 16%, or not to exceed 20% with adequate modifications)
- At least two evacuation routes on roads meeting the above standards.

Local jurisdictions sometimes confuse laws that apply to existing developments, with the standards for new developments. The Board of Forestry 2019 Fire Safety Survey (CCR Title 14 § 1267.00-1267.03) applies to subpar existing public roads that ONLY access prior (already existing – not new) developments. 

Others have incorrectly taken a position that FSR standards do not apply to existing offsite public roads. The FSR clearly specify they apply to all roads, new and existing, public and private, with no Exemption provided for existing public roads. 

This erroneous position would exempt the majority of new residential, commercial, or industrial developments from needing to comply with the FSR, leaving residents often stranded when trying to evacuate on substandard roads, with the potential for significant loss of life. 

Requiring safe evacuation only on the private roads that lead to the parcel does not save residents from a conflagration; it contradicts the basic language of the FSR and the requirement to provide fire-fighting equipment access and safe concurrent evacuation. 

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