GEC Statement on Proposed Zone Zero  Regulations

GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL ASK:

Action Item 9D on tonight’s agenda is an update on the Zero Zone rule, a State law enacted in 2020 that is scheduled to begin enforcement on existing structures in December 2026.

Unless the current California Board of Forestry regulations are changed, property owners in 75% of Glendale, which have now been placed in “high fire” zones, will be required to replace any any foliage (trees, shrubs, plants and mulch) within 5 feet of a home or structure with heat-generating gravel or concrete. One survey of Glendale showed this would mean an approximately 17% loss of our tree canopy. This would bring an incredible loss of our urban tree canopy, make our city and neighborhoods considerably hotter and greatly increase energy bills for residents and business owners while fire science experts argue the underlying methodology for the recommendations:

“Recent fire science supports keeping well-maintained, moisture retaining trees and vegetation which can slow or stop embers. In the Palisades and Eaton fires, mature trees and hedges functioned as ember catchers and saved homes. The Eaton Fire found that trees protected complete streets and that structures burned trees, not visa-versa. These urban fires were structure to structure fires not vegetation fires.” (Op-Ed from Stephanie Landregan)

There are proven, more effective ways to prevent urban wildfires that begin with home hardening. Planting rules require a much more nuanced and customizable approach based on local circumstances, the condition of the greenery, the protection of protected species, concern over hillside soil erosion and landslide risk and the flammability of the tree/plant species.

Please call in this evening before the Action Item 9D comes up so you are ready to voice your concerns. Please ask the City Council to advocate for the State to allow:

• Local control of the regulations allowing local input based on local circumstances and goals
• Exceptions for healthy, well-maintained indigenous trees, which proved to be protective of structures in both the Altadena and Palisades fires (according to USC and UCLA wildfire scientists)
• Inclusion of an appeal process

FORESTRY SERVICE ASK:

After receiving considerable public comment, the Board of Forestry Zone Zero Subcommittee has released a draft with four options for vegetation and two options for trees in the area between 0-5 feet from structures in the Very High Fire Severity Zone.

– For vegetation, Option 4:  Allows well maintained plants and plants in pots, but prohibits dead or dying plants, weeds and combustible materials.
– For trees, Option 2:   Well-maintained trees allowed, branches must be 10 feet from chimneys. Nearly identical to option 1, but does not reference local tree ordinances and only stipulates that branches must be ten feet away from chimneys.

Your voice matters! Submit public comment to publiccomments@bof.ca.gov

For more background, please see:

• Op-Ed from Stephanie V. Landregan, FASLA, MsPM, (So Cal Director, California Council of American Society of Landscape Architects, Altadena Green, Director)
• Latest iteration of the regulation that will be discussed this Thursday at the BOF meeting in Sacramento
• FireSafeBrentwood.org  – Costs, Risks and Scientific Gaps / Zone 0 Explained
• CalFire Zone 0 Information Webpage
• LA Coalition Against Zone Zero letter
• Page 6 article by Stephanie Landregan in