Wildfires: fire hazard severity zones: defensible space, vegetation management, and fuel modification enforcement.

Senator Durazo's wildfire safety legislation expands California's fire hazard classification system to account for areas affected by significant wildfires and urban conflagration risks. The bill requires the State Fire Marshal to designate "post-wildfire safety areas" within the perimeter of wildfires that burn over 1,000 acres, destroy more than 10 structures, or result in fatalities.

Local agencies must incorporate these newly designated areas into their general plan safety elements and apply state fire protection standards within 30 days of receiving official maps. The legislation mandates that fire authorities establish and fund wildfire community safety programs by January 2027 to verify compliance with defensible space and vegetation management requirements through annual property inspections.

The bill authorizes enforcing agencies to charge fees covering program administration and inspection costs. Agencies must submit implementation data to a state reporting platform, though those demonstrating adequate progress may delay compliance documentation until 2029. Local agencies retain authority to levy service charges sufficient to cover mandated activities, with potential state reimbursement for other costs as determined by the Commission on State Mandates.