SACRAMENTO – A new measure in California could change the state’s wildfire mapping system.
State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant explained that Senate Bill 610 aims to update how wildfire hazards are assessed and managed. The bill proposes replacing the current system, which classifies land into moderate, high, or very high fire danger levels, with a single wildfire mitigation code. This code would cover defensible space, building codes, and development standards to make things clearer and easier to enforce.
Berlant believes this new approach will improve the system by using science to guide hazard levels and mitigation efforts.
However, not everyone supports the bill. J.P. Rose, Policy Director for the Center for Biological Diversity, argues that the measure could lead to more development in high-risk areas, increasing the chance of destruction. He points out that homes built to current standards still burned down in the 2018 Camp Fire. Rose is concerned that the bill removes local authority to designate high-risk zones.
Berlant countered that the bill doesn’t affect local governments’ ability to make decisions about new developments.
The bill is still under review in the assembly, with lawmakers having until the end of August to decide its fate. If approved, the new rules would be enforced as soon as possible.