Wildfires: fire hazard severity zones: defensible space, vegetation management, and fuel modification enforcement.

Senator Durazo's wildfire safety legislation revises California's approach to identifying and managing fire hazard zones while establishing new requirements for local enforcement of defensible space standards. The bill expands the criteria for designating high-risk areas to include locations of past significant wildfires and areas where building-to-building fire spread poses heightened danger.

Under the measure, cities and counties must designate areas within recently burned wildfire perimeters as very high fire hazard severity zones within 120 days of containment. Local governments can exclude burned areas only if they demonstrate that state fire protection standards are unnecessary for effective fire protection. The State Fire Marshal must publish the methodology for determining fire hazard zones at least 60 days before finalizing designations.

The bill creates new enforcement mechanisms starting in 2027, requiring local fire authorities to establish and fund programs verifying compliance with defensible space and vegetation management requirements. Agencies must conduct annual property inspections and submit compliance data to state forestry officials. While authorities can levy fees to cover enforcement costs, they may delay full implementation until 2029 if they show adequate progress toward meeting the requirements.

Local governments must submit draft zone designation ordinances to the State Fire Marshal and local fire agencies for review 60 days before adoption. If jurisdictions reject the State Fire Marshal's recommendations, they must provide written justification and participate in consultations before finalizing ordinances. The State Fire Marshal can refer cases of non-compliance to the Attorney General for potential legal action.