California homeowners in high fire risk areas could fall under new requirements for clearing 5 feet of space around homes.

State legislators voted for the creation of the regulations more than five years ago as California was reeling from massive wildfires in 2020 that razed thousands of homes and killed 31 people, requiring an “ember-resistant” zone, known as Zone 0, near homes.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking state lawmakers to shield utilities from financial trouble if their equipment sparks a wildfire by limiting the amount they have to pay victims and attorneys.

For local fire inspectors enforcing the regulations, “a clean Zone 0 is a five-minute inspection,” Lando said. However, allowing some flammable material in the zone means inspectors have to make judgment calls, and “every judgment call is a dispute waiting to happen and every dispute lessens compliance and increases risk.”

Fire crews found an unaccounted passenger dead on the bus, CHP said.

LATEST Aug. 6, 12:15 p.m. An individual was found dead inside a home that burned in the massive Gann wildfire that so far has scorched more than 10,000 acres. Cal Fire announced that the person, who has not been identified, was discovered on the 4600 ...

The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here. Updated: 11:26 a.m. Aug. 6 First discovered: 18 days ago, 8:26 a.m. July 19 Initial ...