New CA rules could ban plants, certain objects within 5 feet of home

( KRON ) — Protecting homes from wildfire risk is the idea behind a new set of rules in California. Some of the regulations could include limiting plants or items like a hot tub within five feet of your home.

Those involved with the rules say they are backed by science and have been shown to make a difference.

A demonstration (included in video above) between two homes shows one built with fire-resistant materials and a defensible space of five feet. The other one lacks a defensible space and has more traditional building materials found in many homes, especially in fire-prone areas.

Steve Hawks is with the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety . Hawks was also previously with Cal Fire. He has seen firsthand how destructive California’s wildfires can be, like the Caldor Fire in South Lake Tahoe.

He says the institute is now helping to educate the public, especially in light of new rules that are expected soon by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. One of the rules being discussed to stop wildfires is to create a Zone 0 , which is within five feet of your home and contains nothing flammable.

Kim George is the fire marshall in South Lake Tahoe where they are already putting into place new measures. “The first five feet, which should be nothing combustible,” George said. “That includes anything like kayaks, hot tubs.”

State Senator Scott Weiner says he’s proposing legislation to clarify matters.

“So, what we’re looking to do is to just have one zone,” Weiner said. “Either you’re in what we call wildfire litigation zone — meaning you live in an area that has wildfire risk or you’re not.

“If you are in one of those zones, then there are certain mitigations that you have to take within building new homes and in things like vegetation management.”

While communities wait to find out the extent of the new rules and how that may help or hinder homeowners as they face a new landscape with insurance companies raising fees or canceling policies altogether, Weiner says he is proposing legislation to try and clarify matters.

KRON4 reached out to find out when the new rules may be introduced, but no one from the state agency responded to our calls.

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