Napa, CA – A month after devastating wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, burning approximately 40,000 acres and destroying over 12,000 structures, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at bolstering the state’s response to extreme firestorms. The order, signed on Thursday, directs the Office of the State Fire Marshal to update the state’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, which identify areas most vulnerable to wildfires.
California’s existing fire hazard maps were last updated in April, but the executive order calls for new updates that reflect the increased risks posed by factors such as natural vegetation, fire history, terrain, and seasonal weather patterns. The Governor’s move comes in response to the escalating wildfire crisis that has seen wildfires cause widespread destruction, including the recent Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires in January. Those fires, which were only fully contained last week, claimed at least 24 lives and displaced more than 100,000 people in Los Angeles County.
In a statement, Newsom stressed the urgency of addressing California’s shifting fire risk, stating, “We are living in a new reality of extremes. Believe the science – and your own damn eyes: Mother Nature is changing the way we live and we must continue adapting to those changes.” He emphasized that the state’s resilience depends on continually updating fire protection standards to keep pace with these evolving threats.
The executive order also mandates that an additional 1.4 million acres of land be added to the two highest tiers of fire severity, areas where the risk of wildfires is most extreme. The state will also require the implementation of ember-resistant zones within 5 feet of structures located in these high-risk zones. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), these ember-resistant zones are crucial in defending properties against fire spread. By managing vegetation within defensible spaces, particularly within 100 feet of structures, the spread of fire can be slowed, starting at the building and working outward.
In addition, the executive order directs the State Board of Forestry to mandate specific protections, including ember-resistant materials, as part of a broader push to safeguard homes in these high-risk areas. California’s wildfire building code, which has been in effect since 2008, already requires new homes to be equipped with fire-resistant siding, tempered glass, and special venting to prevent embers from entering attics and crawlspaces.
Once the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps are released, local governments will have 120 days to integrate the new fire protection standards into their regulations. The push for enhanced fire resilience comes amid growing concerns over the state’s changing climate and the increasing frequency of catastrophic wildfires, which have become an unfortunate reality for millions of Californians.
As the state grapples with these challenges, Newsom’s executive order marks a significant step in California’s ongoing efforts to adapt to a future where extreme wildfires are a persistent threat.