
How a 2020 California law could have mitigated LA’s unprecedented fires
By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Roey Hadar (Producer), Harry Fogle (Video Editor)
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.
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California is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Coast ReporterCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Rocky Mountain OutlookCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on The Mercury newsCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on NBC BostonCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WCSHCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Winnipeg Free PressCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WPLGCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WKMGCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on abc 7 LACalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on KOB 4California is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on 9NEWS DenverCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WCBDCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on KARECalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WKYCCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on NewsdayCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
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California is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant – The Morning Sun
Click to see story on Morning SunCalifornia Years Behind in Implementing Law to Make Homes More Fire Resistant
Click to see story on GV WireDespite passing new law, Calif. does not have regulations making homes fire-resistant
Click to see story on firerescue1.comCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on thealbertan.comCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Santa Monica Daily PressHowever, 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.

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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.
LAUREN TAYLOR: As Southern California deals with deadly and devastating wildfires, one state law that may have helped slow fires down is years behind in its implementation.
California lawmakers passed a law in 2020 requiring new rules to restrict houses in high-risk areas from having flammable materials like wooden furniture or dead plants within 5 feet of homes.
But the state’s fire protection board still has no timeline for finishing the regulations.
The latest fires, which have killed at least 27 people, burned down at least 5,000 buildings in communities including Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Many of those are communities where the regulation would have applied.
California already has laws requiring certain flammable materials to be kept at particular distances from high-risk homes.
Lawmakers originally slated the changes in the 2020 law to take effect at the start of 2023.
CalFire encourages homeowners to take up the practices the law requires but says it’s still in what it calls the “pre-rulemaking phase” as it searches for money to address the costs of the new requirements.
“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.
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Lauren Taylor.
And for all the latest updates on this and other top stories, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit SAN.com.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
California is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Coast ReporterCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Rocky Mountain OutlookCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on The Mercury newsCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on NBC BostonCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WCSHCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Winnipeg Free PressCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WPLGCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WKMGCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on abc 7 LACalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on KOB 4California is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on 9NEWS DenverCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WCBDCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on KARECalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on WKYCCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on NewsdayCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on Krem2 NewsCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on KTVBRight
Untracked Bias
California is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant – The Morning Sun
Click to see story on Morning SunCalifornia Years Behind in Implementing Law to Make Homes More Fire Resistant
Click to see story on GV WireDespite passing new law, Calif. does not have regulations making homes fire-resistant
Click to see story on firerescue1.comCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
Click to see story on thealbertan.comCalifornia is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant
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