Reducing the Destructiveness of Wildfires: Promoting Defensible Space in California

Sep 30, 2021 - Multiple Entities Have an Interest in Supporting Defensible Space Practices Defensible Space Helps Homeowners Protect Their Homes. Defensible space is generally considered to be the homeowner ’s responsibility.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4457

The 2021-22 Budget: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection [Publication Details]

Feb 4, 2021 - This publication discusses the Governor's 2021-22 January budget proposals for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including $143 million for hand crews, $8 million for defensible space inspectors, and $54 million for various capital outlay projects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/4343

The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget

Feb 10, 2026 - CalFire: Defensible Space Inspector Resources. The budget proposes $6.2  million General Fund and 19 positions in 2026 ‑27 (and a similar amount ongoing), along with 12 new positions to be funded by CalFire ’s existing GGRF allocation, for the department to perform defensible space inspections of parcels within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) once every three years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

The 2022-23 Budget: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Package

Jan 26, 2022 - Other programs areas —such as defensible space inspections —should also be considered ongoing efforts, since vegetation grows back and regular inspections are needed to ensure continued compliance with state defensible space requirements.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4495

Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfires in California

Jan 28, 2025 - Enforce local and state defensible space requirements as applicable. Operate various programs to reduce wildfire risk, such as by providing financial or in ‑kind support for defensible space and/or fuel reduction projects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4952

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - Creating Clean Air Spaces. Another way to reduce smoke exposure is to make indoor spaces —such as individual homes, workplaces, schools, or community centers —cleaner . This can be accomplished by taking a variety of actions aimed at reducing the amount of smoke that travels into buildings and filtering the indoor air.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - For example, Proposition  4 authorizes $50  million to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) “for grants to conduct fuel reduction, structure hardening, create defensible space, reforestation, or targeted acquisitions to improve forest health and fire resilience. ” CalFire proposes to target all of the funding towards just two of these activities —defensible space (creating a new program) and reforestation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958

Allocating Utility Wildfire Costs: Options and Issues for Consideration

Jun 21, 2019 - This could include greater outreach or increased funding for programs to offset a portion of the costs for activities property owners can implement to reduce risk, such as home hardening and defensible space.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4079

Improving Outcomes for California Conservation Corpsmembers

Feb 9, 2018 - The typical residential center includes a dormitory, dining room and kitchen, administrative offices, recreational facilities, classroom space, and warehouse space. Each residential center normally houses between 80 t o 100 c orpsmembers.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3742

The 2020-21 Budget: Governor's Wildfire-Related Proposals

Feb 21, 2020 - As a result, these owners have somewhat less of a financial incentive to invest in fire prevention activities to protect their home, such as defensible space. Another example of complicated incentives is the role of property insurance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4172