To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Rex Bohn
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 3071 Related to Wildfire Preparedness (Supervisor Rex Bohn)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair to sign and send the attached letter of support for Assembly Bill (AB) 3074 to the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
N/A
DISCUSSION:
California is in desperate need for uniform messaging around defensible space. California's current defensible space code (PRC 4291) does not address near-home vegetation and, as the last three fire seasons have demonstrated, does not protect homes and buildings from ember-driven ignitions that occur near homes and commercial buildings. There is clear science that demonstrates that a "Zone 0" (a.k.a. an ember resistant zone) is essential to help homes and buildings resist embers and the development of spot fires adjacent to the building. Incorporating a 0- to 5-foot noncombustible zone would address the missing piece in defensible space protection.
AB 3074 proposes to improve Californian's defensible space code by establishing a new zone of enhanced protection, starting from the house and working outwards 5 feet and including the perimeter of the house and any attached deck (Attachment 1). The bill would require the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to create the implementing language and direct CAL FIRE to develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education effort.
Support for AB 3074 is consistent with the Humboldt County 2020 state and federal Legislative Platform under the categories of Community Level Wildfire Preparedness and Adapting to a Changing Climate Emergency. In addition, improving the defensible space code and implementing a training program would support the Humboldt Cou...
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