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Zone Zero California

Resources for California Homeowners

Everything you need to understand Zone Zero: official sources, financial assistance, news coverage from 2020 to now, and nonprofit organizations working on wildfire recovery across California.

Official Sources & Regulations
Legislation text, Board of Forestry drafts, OSFM maps, and the IBHS ember research
9 sources
Grants & Financial Assistance
State grants, FEMA programs, and new PACE financing for Zone Zero compliance work
5 programs
News & Updates
Coverage from NPR, LA Times, CalMatters, KQED and more, 2020 through 2026
14 articles
Nonprofits & Community Orgs
LA fire recovery organizations and established California fire safety nonprofits
11 orgs

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Learn how new fire safety laws affect your home. Get clear guidance on Zone Zero compliance and protect what matters most.

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Regulations & Law

Official Sources & Regulations

Primary government sources, legislation text, and research used as the basis for all Zone Zero California content. All links open official sources.

Official
Board of Forestry: Zone Zero Hub
Primary regulatory source. Draft text, FAQ, meeting recordings, and all committee materials.
bof.fire.ca.gov
Legislation
AB 3074 (2020): Full Bill Text
The original legislation creating the Zone Zero ember-resistant zone requirement. Signed into law Jan 1, 2021.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Legislation
SB 504 (2024): Full Bill Text
Strengthened the Board of Forestry's authority to adopt and enforce Zone Zero regulations statewide.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Legislation
AB 1455 (2025): Full Bill Text
Established compliance timelines and penalty framework for Zone Zero enforcement across California.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Official
OSFM Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
Official interactive map to check whether any California address is in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
osfm.fire.ca.gov
Official
OSFM Building Materials Listing
California's official approved products list for fire-resistant roofing, vents, siding, decking, and WUI-rated materials.
osfm.fire.ca.gov
Final Draft
August 19, 2026 Final Draft Rule Package
Board of Forestry August 2026 meeting materials: the Zone 0 regulation summary and rule text approved 8–0 on August 19, 2026. Approved final draft, pending OAL review — not a regulation in effect.
bof.fire.ca.gov (PDF)
Research
IBHS: Wildfire Prepared Home
The ember science research and Wildfire Prepared Home certification program that underpins Zone Zero policy.
ibhs.org
PDF
CAL FIRE Zone Zero FAQ (Sept 2025)
Official CAL FIRE FAQ document covering who is affected, what is required, and how enforcement will work.
bof.fire.ca.gov (PDF)

Financial Help

Grants & Financial Assistance

State programs, federal funding, and new legislation providing financial help for Zone Zero compliance work. Some programs prioritize low- and moderate-income homeowners.

State Grant
California Safe Homes Grant (AB 888)
Launched Jan 2026. Helps low- and moderate-income homeowners cover costs for Zone Zero compliance and fire-safe roofs. Applications expected to open in 2026.
CalMatters explainer
Official
CA Dept. of Insurance: AB 888 Press Release
Official CDI announcement of the Safe Homes Act and related wildfire resilience laws taking effect January 1, 2026.
insurance.ca.gov
Program
California Wildfire Mitigation Program
Cal OES + CAL FIRE joint program funded 75% by FEMA. Targets low-income high fire risk communities for home hardening and defensible space.
wildfiretaskforce.org
Legislation
SB 1041: Fire Hardening Act of 2026
Expands PACE financing to include home hardening projects, giving homeowners a new way to fund Zone Zero compliance through home equity.
senate.ca.gov
Overview
2026 Wildfire Resilience Laws Overview
Summary of AB 888, SB 429, and AB 1, the three major wildfire insurance and safety laws that took effect January 1, 2026.
wildfiretaskforce.org

2020 to Present

News & Updates

Comprehensive coverage of Zone Zero from the original 2020 legislation through the Board of Forestry's August 19, 2026 final draft approval (8–0). Newest first. All viewpoints included.

Wildfire Task Force Board of Forestry releases April 2026 Zone Zero draft regulations
Apr 2026
CalMatters Hardening California’s homes: Can CA build to resist wildfire?
Apr 2025
NPR California considers new wildfire rules for plants next to homes
Jan 2026
Oakland Firesafe Council Zone 0: When the deadline passed and what that means now
Jan 2026
CalMatters California homeowners could qualify for grants for new roofs and fire safety
Jan 2026
Santa Cruz Local State leaders seek input on proposed Zone Zero wildfire safety rules
Jan 2026
Inside San Diego State-mandated Zone Zero requirements set to go into effect
Jan 2026
Bloomberg / Spokesman As CA delays Zone Zero rules, study finds vegetation clearance prevented home damage in LA fires
Dec 2025
LA Times How Zone Zero, designed to protect California homes from wildfire, became plagued with controversy and delays
Nov 2025
KQED Will Newsom sign California’s ‘biggest step’ toward saving fire-prone neighborhoods? (SB 326)
Oct 2025
Camarillo Acorn Zeroing in on fire zone regulations: community meetings and homeowner concerns
Oct 2025
Pasadena-Foothills Realtors California's Zone Zero Law: A misguided fix for a broken system (critical perspective)
2025
Sierra Club Zone Zero mandates near completion for high wildfire risk areas
Sep 2024
Cal OES Defensible space: Improve your home's chance of surviving a wildfire (early AB 3074 explainer)
Sep 2021

Community

Nonprofits & Community Organizations

Organizations working on wildfire recovery and fire safety across California. A second round of research will expand this list.

LA Fire Recovery: Post-January 2025

LA Recovery
Eaton Fire Collaborative
Coalition of nonprofits, government agencies, and community groups coordinating recovery support for Altadena and Pasadena residents.
eatonfirecollaborative.org
LA Recovery
Pasadena Community Foundation: Eaton Fire Fund
$83M raised, $24M+ distributed to 100+ nonprofits. Includes the Altadena Builds Back Foundation for long-term rebuilding.
pasadenacf.org
LA Recovery
SGV Habitat for Humanity: Rebuild Altadena
Committed to rebuilding 25+ homes for underinsured homeowners in West Altadena, with capacity to expand to 100.
sgvhabitat.org
LA Recovery
California Community Foundation
LA-wide wildfire recovery grants. Major funder of nonprofit organizations providing direct support to fire survivors.
calfund.org
LA Recovery
American Red Cross: LA Wildfire Recovery
Ongoing recovery grants and case management. Still on the ground in LA more than a year after the January 2025 fires.
redcross.org

Established Fire Safety Organizations

Fire Safety
California Fire Safe Council
Statewide network of 300+ local fire safe councils. $140M+ funded since 2002. Your local council is the best starting point for community-level help.
cafiresafecouncil.org
Research
IBHS: Wildfire Prepared Home
The research organization behind the ember science that drives Zone Zero policy. Runs the Wildfire Prepared Home certification program.
ibhs.org
Fire Safety
United Policyholders
Nonprofit insurance advocacy for wildfire survivors. Trusted resource for navigating claims, coverage disputes, and rebuilding costs.
uphelp.org
Fire Safety
NFPA Firewise USA
Community-based wildfire preparedness certification program. Getting your neighborhood Firewise-certified demonstrates proactive compliance.
nfpa.org
Policy
California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force
State-level policy coordination body. Best single source for tracking new legislation, grant programs, and regulatory updates.
wildfiretaskforce.org
Fire Safety
Oakland Firesafe Council
Strong Zone Zero advocacy and homeowner education. Their Zone 0 deadline analysis is one of the most detailed public resources available.
oaklandfiresafecouncil.org