Home / Sources and methods
Sources and methods
Rules come from the Board of Forestry's own documents first. News and independent sites are used only for dates and status, and are labeled.
How we check
- Each answer cites the document it comes from.
- Where we read between the lines, we say so on the page.
- The rule status is rechecked regularly. The date at the bottom of every page shows the last check.
Open data
The item answers and the rule timeline are free to reuse with credit: items.json and status.json.
Sources
- Notice of proposed emergency action: Zone 0 defensible space, California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, August 20, 2026
- Fire hazard severity zones, Office of the State Fire Marshal (CAL FIRE)
- Fire hazard severity zone map, State Responsibility Areas, Office of the State Fire Marshal (CAL FIRE)
- Fire hazard severity zone map, Local Responsibility Areas, Office of the State Fire Marshal (CAL FIRE)
- California Board of Forestry adopts emergency Zone 0 regulations under AB 3074, Best Best & Krieger (law firm), September 2026 (not an official source)
- Is Zone Zero law yet?, California Defensible Space Guide (independent site), September 20, 2026 (not an official source)
- California again delays Zone Zero wildfire protection rules for homes, Sonoma Index-Tribune, December 10, 2025 (not an official source)
- Safer from Wildfires regulation: frequently asked questions, California Department of Insurance, September 2026
- Insurers currently offering wildfire mitigation discounts, California Department of Insurance
- Discounts for dwelling fire and commercial policies, California FAIR Plan, November 15, 2025
- Commissioner Lara urges Board of Forestry to finalize Zone Zero regulations, California Department of Insurance, October 15, 2025
- California sets first statewide Zone 0 wildfire standard, but compliance does not guarantee a discount, Insurance Business (trade publication), August 20, 2026 (not an official source)
- Recent actions taken on emergency regulations (file 2026-0828-03E, Zone 0 Defensible Space), California Office of Administrative Law, checked October 11, 2026
- Emergency regulations under review, California Office of Administrative Law, checked October 11, 2026
- Zone 0 regulations withdrawn from OAL review: what happens next?, Wildfire Los Angeles (nonprofit), September 11, 2026 (not an official source)
- Governor Newsom signs executive order to further prepare for future urban firestorms, Office of the Governor, February 6, 2025
- Safer from Wildfires regulation approved, California Department of Insurance, October 17, 2022
- FAIR Plan to offer new discounts for homeowners taking steps to protect against wildfire, California FAIR Plan, July 26, 2023
- Defensible space, CAL FIRE (Ready for Wildfire), checked October 10, 2026
- State-mandated Zone Zero requirements set to go into effect to build wildfire resilience, City of San Diego, February 12, 2026
- EMBER implementation plan (City Council item, June 17, 2025), City of Berkeley, June 17, 2025
- Final Berkeley vote on strict new wildfire plan expected tonight, The Berkeley Scanner, June 17, 2025 (not an official source)
- Ember Resistant Zone requirements (Auburn Municipal Code 100.87, Subsection D), City of Auburn Fire Department, July 10, 2024
Disclaimer
This site is an independent guide. It is not legal advice or an official determination. Confirm requirements with your local fire agency.