California’s ‘Zone Zero’ rule sparks debate
After years of increasingly volatile wildfires, California moves forward to implement the “zone zero,” measure. This refers to the first 5 feet from a home and is a strategy to mitigate destructive wildfire paths. Yet, the science to clarify what is permitted in the buffer zone is debated.
“The question isn’t whether zone zero is important because it is,”?said Alexandra Syphard, a research ecologist at the Conservation Biology Institute and a wildfire safety advisor to the state’s Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. “I think the question is, what do you do within that zone?”
The current proposal outlines what vegetation and combustible items like fences are allowed in the zone. This sparked debate amongst professionals on weather the measure would successfully deter fire and if that outweighs the possible ecological harm. “This is new,” said Todd Lando, battalion chief at the Central Marin Fire Department, of the claim that plants can protect homes from embers and that removing them in the name of fire defense could lead to environmental degradation. “It’s catching us off guard because it’s misguided and unfounded.”
The current “zone zero,” rule implements the removal of about 2,000 acres of vegetation across the city of Los Angeles. The consensus across scientific voices do not all agree.
