Climate and Housing Regulation

California regulators are drafting what they say will be the nation’s toughest home vegetation rules in wildfire-prone areas, requiring homeowners statewide in designated risk zones to clear some or all plants within five feet of their houses to create a 'Zone Zero' buffer that reduces ember-driven ignition. The proposal, coming one year after the Eaton and Palisades fires destroyed more than 16,000 structures in Los Angeles, would still allow well-maintained trees but has sparked pushback from residents over costs, loss of greenery and disagreement with scientific findings that near-house vegetation greatly increases the chance homes will burn.