By Judy Beust Harrington, Co-Chair, Kensington Fire Safe (KFS)
Kensington’s Fire Safe Council will share researched answers to your inquiries here. Send fire-related questions to info@kensingtonfiresafe.org. Pictures appreciated!
Q: Is AB 3074’s new radical Zone Zero requirement in effect?
A: Assembly Bill 3074, passed in 2020, may be a BIG change for homeowners.
Passed in 2020, this legislation requires a five foot “zone zero” around homes in areas with high fire risk. That zone is not to contain ANY flammable materials. This means no artificial turf, trellis, pergolas, shade covering, wood planters, attached combustible fences or gates, mulch, etc.…basically anything that can catch fire. But, don’t panic; the rules aren’t out – yet.
The good news is, this requirement can certainly help keep our homes safer from spreading flames and flying embers, which have been seen in some recent canyon fires. We’ve been told that airborne, blazing Mexican fan palm fronds can travel the length of a football field!
The bad news is most of us like seeing shrubbery, flower boxes or other decorative plants right outside our windows. Seems like very few area residences are currently free from flammables that close to their house. But maybe we need to be open-minded. There actually are some attractive yards with almost a five-foot zero non-flammable area, as pictured.
Small patios like these next to the house might meet future “zone zero” requirements, although in the event of a fire, you’d have to be home and have time to move any flammable items.
The question is, if it only applies to structures located in a “High” and “Very High” Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), does that include my residence? Chances are, yes, because much of San Diego and particularly Kensington is in high or “VHFHSZs”. You can check your location at: https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/services/brush/severityzones
When will this apply to me?
Before enforcement of the new zero zone can occur, the State Fire Marshal must approve the implementation. That’s projected to happen for new construction in 2025, and for existing structures one year later.
Zone Zero was one of several key topics covered at last month’s KFS presentation at Kensington Community Church, by Assistant Fire Marshall Daniel Hypes and Deputy Chief Marshal Anthony Tosca, from the SD Fire Department, as well as Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Erika Ferreira and Open Spaces Division Project Officer II, Laura Ball.
Marshall Hypes provided details about door-to-door defensible space inspection of canyon rim homes, management of vacant lots and, with Parks and Rec, brush management program of city properties.
Officer Ball covered Open Spaces Division efforts, including handling brush complaints, and more recently, the real estate defensible space inspections required to sell a home. They are now training more assessors so they can expand this service. They also have a “Subdivision Review Program” to identify at-risk areas with at least 30 dwelling units in VHFHSZs with only one way in and out. Our community relations officer, Joshua Cummings, drove through the Alder Loop area after we mentioned our limited access. You can learn a lot more by listening to the presentation at: https://shorturl.at/3VF7k
Is My Home Ready for Fires?
Finally, remember there’s free home hardening assessments available. You have to register far in advance, but our neighbors Bill and Nancy Bamberger just had their house inspected after signing up on the County Fire Safe website–http://www.firesafesdcounty.org/hap, and were very pleased with the result.
Bill said, “The inspector spent an hour at our house, giving us specific advice on how to make our house more fire resistant. She recommended replacing our wooden gate with a metal one and told us where we could find a gate that would work. She acknowledged that some of her recommendations were costly but told us about cheaper alternatives. All-in-all, we got very useful advice!”
Tying all this back to the new Zone Zero – don’t be surprised if your insurance company tells you to make some changes. A good example is the beautiful but highly flammable and invasive — and now gone – white melaleuca trees on Marlborough and Ridgeway. We’re hearing more cases where homeowners had to do some hardening to secure insurance.
We wish all those struggling to keep, find or afford their insurance luck – we’ve had our own challenges too!
Fall Dumpathon is Coming!!
Kensington Fire Safe is excited to announce our Fall Dumpathon, Thursday, 9/26 to Monday, 10/7. During this time, dumpsters will be located throughout the Kensington neighborhood, allowing residents to dispose of extra greenery trimmed from their properties. This initiative helps make our community safer from wildfires!
This project is made possible by the San Diego Fire Foundation, support from Council President Elo-Rivera’s office, EDCO Disposal Company, and our dedicated neighborhood volunteers.
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