As Southern California deals with deadly and devastating wildfires, one state law that may have helped mitigate the damage is years behind in its implementation. California lawmakers passed a law in 2020 requiring new rules that would restrict houses in high-risk areas from having flammable materials like wooden furniture or dead plants within 5 feet of homes.
However, the state’s fire protection board still has no timeline for finishing the regulations.
The latest fires have killed at least 27 people and burned down at least 5,000 buildings in communities such as Pacific Palisades and Malibu, communities where the regulation would have applied.
California currently has laws requiring certain flammable materials to be kept at particular distances from high-risk homes. However, lawmakers had slated changes in the 2020 law to take effect at the start of 2023.
Now, in 2025, CalFire is encouraging homeowners to implement what the law requires but says it’s still in the “pre-rulemaking phase” as it searches for money to address the costs of the new guidelines.
“There are many facets to consider as part of this complex process,” Edith Hannigan, executive officer of the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, told the Associated Press. “This topic remains a priority for the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, and staff aims to have a draft proposal to present to the Board as soon as is feasible.”
State officials expect the board to consider the new language later this year.
