California Needs a New Approach to Wildfire Planning, Experts Say. Cost Is an Issue | KQED

"While fire safety advocates want California to take a new approach to wildfires, with more emphasis on anticipating and preventing the worst damage, legislation to do just that has failed to win over Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said it would have cost too much unbudgeted money. SB 326 would have accelerated the timelines for implementing Zone 0 mandates, which require clearing landscaping within five feet of homes in fire-prone areas."

"In a letter from the Senate Appropriations Committee, Cal Fire estimated it would cost more than $100 million a year to build its own model to assess and forecast risk. SB 326 would have allowed the agency to use an off-the-shelf model for around $20 million a year. Estimates of what it would take to accomplish strategic planning, meanwhile, have varied significantly."

Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have accelerated strategic wildfire planning, citing unbudgeted costs. SB 326 aimed to speed implementation of Zone 0 mandates requiring clearing landscaping within five feet of homes in fire-prone areas. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urged the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to finalize those regulations. A related bill, SB 254, will require the wildfire fund administrator to model utility risk and recommend prevention and cost-management measures. Cal Fire estimated an in-house risk model would cost over $100 million per year, while an off-the-shelf model would cost about $20 million. Cost estimates have varied across bill versions.

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