HomeMy WebLinkAbout08_RESPONSE_TO_2025–2026_ORANGE_COUNTY_GRAND_JURY_REPORT,_WILDFIRES_HIT_HOMEMEETING DATE: AUGUST 4, 2026
TO: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER
FROM: NICOLE BERNARD, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO 2025–2026 ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY
REPORT, "WILDFIRES HIT HOME"
SUMMARY:
On May 19, 2026, the Orange County Grand Jury publicly released its report, Wildfires Hit
Home, examining how home hardening, defensible space, and other wildfire mitigation
measures can improve community resilience, reduce catastrophic wildfire losses, and
enhance homeowner insurance availability throughout Orange County. Pursuant to
California Penal Code section 933(c), the City Council is required to respond to the
applicable findings and recommendations within 90 days of the report's release.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1.Approve the attached response to the 2025–2026 Orange County Grand Jury report,
Wildfires Hit Home, and authorize its submission in accordance with California Penal
Code section 933(c).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
Approval of the attached response contributes to the fulfillment of the City's Strategic Plan
Goal D, Strong Community and Regional Relationships. Specifically, this item implements
Strategy 2 by enhancing collaborative efforts with agencies within and outside Tustin on
issues of mutual interest and concern.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On May 19, 2026, the Orange County Grand Jury publicly released its report entitled Wildfires
Hit Home. The report examines the degree to which California Safer from Wildfires, the
AGENDA REPORT Agenda Item _______
Reviewed:
City Manager _______
Finance Director _______
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Response to 2025-26 Grand Jury Report, Wildfires Hit Home
August 4, 2026
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California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, Assembly Bill 888 (2025),
and the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (2025) home hardening and defensible
space measures protect homes and communities from catastrophic wildfire loss while
improving community resilience and homeowner insurance affordability. A copy of the Grand
Jury Report is included as Attachment B.
The Grand Jury requested responses from various Orange County public agencies to
findings and recommendations contained within the report. Under California Penal Code
sections 933 and 933.05, the City is required to formally respond to each applicable finding
by indicating whether it agrees or disagrees with the finding and to each applicable
recommendation by reporting one of the statutory actions prescribed. The City of Tustin is
required to respond to Findings F1 through F6 and Recommendations R2 through R4.
City staff reviewed the Grand Jury report and prepared the attached response to satisfy this
obligation. The proposed response recognizes and reflects the City's ongoing partnership
with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which provides fire protection and emergency
medical services within the City. The response also acknowledges the City's adoption of
Ordinance No. 1568 designating Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
within the City's Local Responsibility Areas and describes the City's continued support of
OCFA's wildfire preparedness, education, and outreach efforts.
Staff recommend approval of the attached response letter and authorization for the Mayor to
execute the response on behalf of the City Council. Following City Council approval, the
response will be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court within
the required statutory timeframe.
_______________________________ ________________________________
Nicole Bernard Jason Loya
Assistant City Manager Senior Management Analyst
Attachments:
1. Proposed Response to the 2025–2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report
2. 2025–2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, Wildfires Hit Home
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OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR AUSTIN LUMBARD • MAYOR PRO TEM RAY SCHNELL • RYAN GALLAGHER • LEE K. FINK • JOHN NIELSEN
300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780 • 714-573-3010 • tustinca.org
August 2026
Honorable Sheila F. Hanson, Presiding Judge
Superior Court
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Response to 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report “Wildfires Hit Home”
Your Honor:
On May 19, 2026, the Orange County Grand Jury issues a report entitled “Wildfires Hit Home” that
examines the degree in which California Safer from Wildfires, California Fair Access to Insurance
Requirements Plan, Assembly Bill 888 (2025), and California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (2025)
home hardening and defensible space measures protect homes and communities, saving homeowners,
local governments, fire authorities, and insurance companies from catastrophic loss, while also providing
discounts for homeowners’ insurance premiums.
At the conclusion of its analysis, the Grand Jury made six findings, with four recommendations, and
required the City to respond to each of the six findings and three of the recommendations. In accordance
with California Penal Code 933.05(a) and (b), the Orange County Grand Jury requires responses of the
findings and recommendations. The City of Tustin responds as set forth below.
FINDINGS
Finding 1: More frequent and severe wildfires driven by increasingly hotter, drier, and windier conditions
in the Orange County wildland-urban interface are escalating impacts on financial and non-financial
resources. Among the financial costs are dramatic increases in homeowners’ insurance premiums,
nonrenewals, and inabilities to obtain insurance.
Response to Finding 1: The City of Tustin agrees in part with Finding 1. The City agrees that increasingly
frequent and severe wildfires pose significant risks to communities but lacks the expertise and regulatory
authority to evaluate homeowners' insurance premiums or market conditions.
Finding 2: Actions that address conditions in the home ignition zone to significantly reduce ignition
potential can prevent a community wildland-urban interface fire disaster or suburban conflagration.
Response to Finding 2: The City of Tustin agrees with Finding 2. The City supports evidence-based
wildfire mitigation measures, including home hardening and defensible space, through its partnership
with OCFA.
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Finding 3: Expanded engagement with the community to raise awareness and provide support regarding
home hardening and defensible space will increase effectiveness of wildfire risk mitigation and insurance
risk reduction efforts.
Response to Finding 3: The City of Tustin agrees with Finding 3. The City supports continued public
education and community engagement in partnership with OCFA to improve wildfire preparedness and
resilience.
Finding 4: Achievement of community-level and property-level wildfire risk mitigation designation (such
as Firewise USA Site, Fire Risk Reduction Community or Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
certification) lessens wildfire risk and helps reduce insurance premium costs.
Response to Finding 4: The City of Tustin agrees in part with Finding 4. The City supports community-
and property-level wildfire risk reduction efforts but lacks the expertise to evaluate their effect on private
insurance premium costs.
Finding 5: All county residents should be made aware that Safer from Wildfire regulation requires
insurers to provide discounts to homeowners and communities that implement home hardening and
defensible space measures regardless of whether a property is located within a Fire Hazard Severity
Zone.
Response to Finding 5: The City of Tustin agrees in part with Finding 5. The City supports educating
residents about home hardening, defensible space, and available insurance-related benefits but lacks
the expertise and regulatory authority to evaluate insurance premium requirements or discounts.
Finding 6: AB 888, California Safe Homes Grant Program, provides financial assistance to eligible
homeowners, cities, counties, and special districts for home hardening and defensible space measures.
Applying for and using these grant funds will reduce wildfire losses and improve insurability and
resilience of vulnerable communities.
Response to Finding 6: The City of Tustin agrees in part with Finding 6. The City supports the use of
available grant funding to improve wildfire resilience but lacks the expertise to evaluate the impact on
private market insurability.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 2: By December 31, 2026, cities and fire service agencies, including Orange County
Fire Authority should commit to participation in a county-wide annual wildfire prevention fair planned by
the Orange County Board of Supervisors to showcase wildfire prevention outreach programs.
Response to Recommendation 2: This recommendation requires further analysis. The City of Tustin
contracts with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) for the provision of fire services and emergency
medical services within City’s boundaries. The City will support OCFA and the County of Orange should
the County elect to establish a county-wide annual wildfire prevention fair.
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Response to 2025-26 Grand Jury report, “Wildfires Hit Home”
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Recommendation 3: By December 31, 2026, cities, unincorporated areas, special districts, and fire
services agencies in High and Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zones should initiate planning activities to
achieve community-level wildfire risk mitigation designations and/or establish a local Fire Safe Council
within one year.
Response to Recommendation 3: This recommendation has been implemented. The City of Tustin
adopted Ordinance No. 1568: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Tustin Designating
Moderate, High, and Very High Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Areas in Accordance
with Government Code Section 51179 on June 17, 2025. The City continues to work in partnership with
OCFA to advance the objectives of this recommendation.
Recommendation 4: By December 31, 2026, to ensure city residents are engaged and aware of wildfire
risk reduction resources, OCFA member and non-member cities should provide information, develop their
own outreach program, and establish a direct contact person(s) for their residents. This is in addition to
whatever referrals or references made to OCFA outreach programs.
Response to Recommendation 4: This recommendation requires further analysis. The City of Tustin
contracts with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) for the provision of fire services and emergency
medical services within City’s boundaries. The City will continue working with OCFA to provide residents
with wildfire risk reduction information and resources through existing public outreach efforts.
Should you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Aldo Schindler at (714)
573-3010 or via email at CityManager@tustinca.org.
Sincerely,
Austin Lumbard
Mayor
cc: Orange County Grand Jury
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... 5
BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................. 6
REASON FOR STUDY ................................................................................................... 9
METHOD OF STUDY ...................................................................................................... 9
INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS ................................................................................ 10
FINDINGS ..................................................................................................................... 31
RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................. 32
COMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................... 33
REQUIRED RESPONSES ............................................................................................ 34
Acronyms ...................................................................................................................... 41
Glossary ........................................................................................................................ 43
Bibliography .................................................................................................................. 45
Appendix A .................................................................................................................... 50
Appendix B .................................................................................................................... 53
Appendix C .................................................................................................................... 55
Appendix D .................................................................................................................... 56
Appendix E .................................................................................................................... 58
Appendix F .................................................................................................................... 61
Appendix G ................................................................................................................... 63
FIGURES
Figure 1 Map of Eaton and Palisades Fires in January 2025 ......................................... 7
Figure 2 Shared responsibility for risk reduction in wildland-urban interface areas ...... 11
Figure 3 WUI and suburban conflagration fire disaster chain of events. ...................... 13
Figure 4 Example of an Orange County City LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map ..... 16
Figure 5 Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Defensible Zones 0, 1, and 2 .............. 18
Figure 6 Total FAIR Plan Dwelling and Commercial Policies Have Increased,
September 2023 to September 2025 ............................................................. 20
Figure 7 City Area Reported in Fire Hazard Severity Zones ......................................... 26
Figure 8 Cities Reporting Achieved, Applied for, or Plan to Apply for a Community-
Level Wildfire Risk Mitigation Designation ..................................................... 27
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Figure 9 Cities Reporting Outreach Program to Provide Information and Guidance to
Property Owners on Wildfire Risk Mitigation Measures and/or Grants .......... 28
Figure 10 Cities Reporting Their Outreach Program Refers to Orange County Fire
Authority Outreach Programs and Resources ............................................. 29
Figure 11 Top 20 Deadliest California Wildfires ............................................................ 50
Figure 12 Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires ................................................ 51
Figure 13 Large Fires 300 Acres and Greater - State and Contract Counties Direct
Protection Area ............................................................................................ 52
Figure 14 Orange County Wildfires by Size ................................................................. 52
Figure 15 Safer from Wildfires Flyer, Page 1 ................................................................ 53
Figure 16 Safer from Wildfires Flyer, Page 2 ................................................................ 54
Figure 17 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map of Orange County ...................................... 55
Figure 18 Fire Hardening and Defensible Space Disclosure, Page 1 .......................... 56
Figure 19 Fire Hardening and Defensible Space Disclosure, Page 2 .......................... 57
Figure 20 California Property and Casualty Insurance Company Homeowners
Premium and Loss ....................................................................................... 58
Figure 21 FAIR Plan Data for Orange County Zip Codes 90620 - 92679 ..................... 59
Figure 22 FAIR Plan Data for Orange County Zip Codes 92680 – 92899 .................... 60
Figure 23 Orange County Fire Authority Covered Cities .............................................. 61
Figure 24 Orange County Fire Jurisdictions ................................................................. 62
Figure 25 Ready, Set Go! Flyer for Immediate Zone .................................................... 63
Figure 26 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Defensible Space ................................................. 64
Figure 27 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer for Home Hardening, Page 1 .................................... 65
Figure 28 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer for Home Hardening, Page 2 .................................... 66
Figure 29 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Vegetation Management ...................................... 67
Figure 30 Ready, Set, Go! On Be Ember Aware .......................................................... 68
Figure 31 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Home Assessment ............................................... 69
Figure 32 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Wildfire Home Risk Assessment, Page 1 ............. 70
Figure 33 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Wildfire Home Risk Assessment, Page 2 ............. 71
Figure 34 Zone 0 At-A-Glance, Page 1 ........................................................................ 72
Figure 35 Zone 0 At-A-Glance, Page 2 ........................................................................ 73
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SUMMARY
Wildfires have become a fact of life in California. Persistent drought conditions and
accelerated warming have led to an increase in wildfires throughout the state. Of the
twenty most destructive wildfires in California history, fifteen have occurred in the last
ten years (see Appendix A). From the Camp Fire, also referred to as the Paradise Fire,
in Northern California to the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles and the Airport
Fire in Orange County, the tragic loss of life and the destruction of thousands of homes
and structures have upended homeowners’ lives and rocked the insurance industry with
billions of dollars in claims just in the last few years. These conditions have made home
insurance unaffordable or unavailable for many Orange County residents. The State of
California has attempted over recent years to mitigate the impact on ratepayers and
insurers and has provided tougher regulations for hardening homes and property. Both
the California legislature and the California Department of Insurance have issued recent
laws and regulations to address these issues. Significant for this report are Safer from
Wildfires (2022), California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan (1968,
revised 2025), Assembly Bill 888 (2025) and California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
(2025).
The California FAIR Plan was established in 1968 to provide basic insurance for
property owners who could not obtain fire coverage through the traditional insurance
market due to being in high-risk fire areas. The FAIR Plan is not a state agency, and it
receives no taxpayer funding. It is a syndicated fire insurance pool made up of all
insurers licensed to write property/casualty insurance in the state. The FAIR Plan is
intended to be the insurer of last resort and is meant to be a temporary safety net
helping property owners until they can transition back to the traditional insurance
market. The numerous fires over the last few years coupled with private insurers leaving
the California market or no longer insuring homes in high-risk areas, have resulted in
the FAIR Plan being financially strained with the number of policies more than doubling
since September 2023.1 The State Legislature and Department of Insurance both
responded with strategies to rebalance this problem requiring insurers to increase the
number of policies issued in high-risk areas and to change the way rates are
established, however, insurance companies, using loopholes in the legislation, have so
far largely avoided meeting the goals set for them.2
The Safer from Wildfires regulation was issued by the Insurance Commissioner after
development in partnership with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The regulation mandates
1 Key Statistics & Data. The California FAIR Plan. https://www.cfpnet.com/key-statistics-data/
2 The New York Times, California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes, Nov. 2, 2025.
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that insurance companies provide rate discounts for various actions that property
owners take to create defensible space and harden their homes against wildfires (see
Appendix B).
AB888, the California Safe Homes Grant Program, aims to reduce wildfire losses,
improve insurability and resilience of vulnerable communities, and support home
hardening efforts to help residents qualify for insurance premium incentives. It provides
grants to aid qualifying residents and communities to complete wildfire risk mitigation
measures.
The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) refers to the California Building
Standards Code, Title 24, Part 7. Effective in January 2026, the CWUIC requires fire-
resistant and ignition-resistant construction in Fire Hazard Severity Zones or the
wildland-urban interface. Requirements were also established for vegetation and hazard
mitigation in the same areas. Studies have definitively shown that implementing these
home hardening and defensible space requirements, including retrofitting existing
homes, will greatly reduce ignition and fire spread, thereby reducing damage and
resulting claims. Compliance with the 2015 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
(IWUIC) could save $4 for every $1 invested and retrofitting structures to the IWUIC
could provide from $2 to as much as $8 in benefits for each $1 invested.3 Home
hardening and defensible space measures that align with wildland-urban interface
codes and Safer from Wildfires regulations will help save homeowners and insurance
companies from catastrophic loss.
The 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury found evidence that clearly shows
Safer from Wildfires home hardening and defensible space measures protect
homes and communities, saving homeowners, local governments, and fire
authorities as well as insurance companies from catastrophic loss while also
providing discounts for homeowners’ insurance premiums.
BACKGROUND
California’s Wildfire Crisis and Insurance Impact
California faces an escalating wildfire crisis fueled by accelerated warming, prolonged
droughts, increasingly windy conditions, and expanded development into fire-prone
areas. Between 2015 and 2025, 15 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in state history
3 National Institute of Building Science, Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves. 2019. https://nibs.org/wp-
content/uploads/2025/04/NIBS_MMC_MitigationSaves_2019-1.pdf. Accessed March 3, 2026.
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occurred, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires in 2025. These events have caused
loss of life, devastated communities, destroyed thousands of homes, and resulted in
billions in insured losses (see Appendix A).
The Eaton Fire in January 2025, spread through the suburbs of Pasadena destroying
9,413 structures and burning 14,021 acres. It became Los Angeles County’s most
destructive and second deadliest fire with 19 fatalities (see Appendix A).
On the same day in January 2025, the Palisades Fires swept through Pacific Palisades,
Topanga, and Malibu, consuming 6,833 homes and 23,707 acres. It became Los
Angeles County’s third-most destructive fire and third deadliest with 12 fatalities (see
Appendix A). Both fires were fueled by strong Santa Ana winds of between 80-100 mph,
extremely dry conditions, and dense vegetation, creating what officials called a "perfect
storm" for wildfire spread.4,5
Figure 1 Map of Eaton and Palisades Fires in January 2025
The most destructive California wildfire listed by CAL FIRE is the November 2018 Camp
Fire in Butte County which burned 153,336 acres, destroyed 18,804 structures, and
resulted in 85 deaths. The CAL FIRE list of the Top 20 Most Destructive California
Wildfires can be viewed in detail in Appendix A. Data for Orange County wildfires for the
period 2008 through 2024 can be viewed in Appendix A.
Orange County’s 2024 Airport Fire that started in Trabuco Canyon burned 23,500 acres
and destroyed 160 structures. The fire raged for nearly a month, prompting a state of
4 Andrea Thompson, How the Ferocious Santa Ana Winds are Fueling the Palisades Fire, Scientific
American, Accessed January,8, 2026, http://www.scientificamerican.com
5 Julia Jacobo and Ginger Zee, A perfect storm of weather and climate conditions led to the severity of the
California fires, ABC News, Accessed January 8, 2026, http://www.abcnews.com/US/perfect-storm-
weather-climate-conditions-severity-california-fires/story?id=117468072
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emergency and millions of dollars in claims. This fire and others not only caused
property loss, but also damaged ecosystems, water resources, and impacted air quality.
Post-fire soil degradation and the expansion of invasive, non-native plants has further
hindered recovery.6
In California, wildfires have strained the private insurance market. Many insurers, facing
frequent and unsustainable financial exposure and constraints on rate hikes caused by
Proposition 103 have withdrawn from high-risk areas, or stopped issuing new policies
altogether. Some insurers have even withdrawn from the state completely.
California homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas report premiums ranging from $5,000
to $12,000 annually.7 Orange County, California’s fifth most expensive housing market
as of the 4th quarter 2025,8 faces challenges that are different than the statewide
market. With an average home price of $1.2 million,9 rising insurance costs further
threaten housing affordability. A recent survey found that 43% of Orange County seniors
worry most about housing costs and financial security.10 Among the hardest hit by
insurance premium increases and policy nonrenewal are retirees, renters, and owners
of condominiums, townhomes, and mobile homes.
The Safer from Wildfires regulation requires insurers to offer discounts to homeowners
who take proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk. Discounts are based on both achieving
community-level designations, which assess the collective mitigation efforts of
neighborhoods, and property-level improvements such as installing fire-resistant
roofing, ember-resistant vents, and clearing defensible space.11
Reducing wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface helps ensure that insurance
coverage remains accessible. California’s wildfire and insurance crisis demands
coordinated action from local governments and fire authorities, communities, and
homeowners to reduce risk of wildfire.
6 Mashall A. Hayrikian, Engineering and Environmental Implications of the LA wildfires: Eaton and
Palisades Fire, Marshall Geoscience – Geotechnical Engineering, Laboratory Services,
http://www.marshallgeo.com/geotechnical-engineering/engineering-and-environmental-implications-of-la-
wildfires-eaton-palisades-fires/
7 Merlin Law Group. Fire Insurance in California: A Complete Guide. https://www.merlinlawgroup.com/fire-
insurance-california-guide/. Accessed March 6, 2026.
8 California Association of Realtors®, Median Prices of Existing Single Family Homes. Accessed March 8,
2026. https://www.car.org/marketdata/data/housingdata
9 O.C. CA Real Estate and Property Data, ATTOM, October 2025
10 Gabriel San Roman, New report on aging in Orange County outlines key concerns among seniors, Los
Angeles Times, June 21, 2024, https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2024-06-
21/aging-in-orange-county-report
11 California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Section 2644.9, Consideration of Mitigation Factors; Wildfire
Risk Models. https://regulations.justia.com/states/california/title-10/chapter-5/subchapter-4-8/article-
4/section-2644-9/
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REASON FOR STUDY
Wildfires have become an increasingly severe threat to residential communities in
Orange County, particularly those in high-risk fire zones. The frequency and intensity of
wildfires has escalated due to prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and
development encroachment into wildland-urban interface areas. Catastrophic losses
from these wildfires have resulted in a continuing insurance crisis.
This study aims to (1) identify the shared responsibilities of local governments and fire
service agencies, communities and homeowners to reduce the risk of wildfire in the
wildland-urban interface, (2) investigate the status of actions taken by the California
legislature and Department of Insurance to provide relief to policyholders, and (3) inform
communities and homeowners on home hardening, defensible space, insurance risk
reduction, and wildfire safety awareness.
METHOD OF STUDY
The investigation reviewed the efforts of Orange County local governments, local fire
departments, and homeowner associations to better understand and provide an
independent look at the above concerns and possible solutions. To achieve a clear
picture of the wildfire problem in the Orange County wildland-urban interface and its
impact on insurance rates, the 2025-2026 Grand Jury has done the following:
Reviewed studies and academic papers
Issued a Fire Hazard Severity Zone survey to all Orange County cities
Examined the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Observed a demonstration at a Yorba Linda Water District Heli-Hydrant™
Visited Firewise USA Site designated communities
Conducted literature review of previous statewide Grand Jury reports
Interviewed California Department of Insurance staff, reviewed Department
website and pertinent regulations
Visited Orange County Fire Authority facilities to better understand their training,
procedures, and preparedness
Conducted multiple interviews with city, county, and fire officials, as well as
homeowners association staff and residents regarding wildland-urban interface
wildfire risk reduction
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Orange County Fire Authority helicopter approaching Yorba Linda Water District Heli-HydrantTM
Source: Orange County Grand Jury 2025-2026
INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS
The 2025-2026 Grand Jury investigated the risk of wildfire in Orange County wildland-
urban interface areas, the insurance industry’s response to this risk, actions taken by
fire prevention authorities to reduce the risk of damage and destruction of homes by
wildfire, and the state legislature and California Department of Insurance (CDI)
response to the insurance crisis. The Grand Jury also investigated actions homeowners
should take to share the responsibility to reduce community wildfire risk, and by doing
so, potentially reduce their insurance costs.
The Grand Jury investigation included evaluation of CDI initiatives, the Safer from
Wildfires insurance regulation,12 and other regulations related to wildfire and insurance
risk reduction. The investigation also included examination of recent changes to Fire
Hazard Severity Zone mapping, the 2025 CWUIC, and pending amendments to the
ember-resistant Zone 0 regulations that comprise defensible space requirements.
Shared Responsibility for Reduction of Wildfire and
Insurance Risk
There is a broad scope of shared responsibility for risk reduction in wildland-urban
interface areas. State legislators, CDI, state and local fire prevention authorities,
counties and cities, community-level organizations, and homeowners all share
responsibility for taking actions necessary to prevent wildfires in wildland-urban
interface areas and thereby reduce insurance risk and policy rates. Figure 2 below
illustrates the shared responsibility.
12 California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Section 2644.9
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Figure 2 Shared responsibility for risk reduction in wildland-urban interface areas
The conclusion of this report focuses on the responsibilities of local governments and
fire prevention authorities to provide homeowners the information and guidance needed
to reduce property-level wildfire and insurance risk and thereby reduce these risks
across entire communities.
Wildland-Urban Interface
Wildland-urban interface (WUI) is where urban development meets or intermixes with
undeveloped natural areas. The term
“wildland-urban interface” refers most often
to areas where houses are located within or
adjacent to relatively larger areas of natural
vegetation. The U.S. Forest Service refers to
WUI simply as “areas where human
development meets natural landscapes.13
WUI is at greatest risk of wildfire in
13 Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wildland-Urban Interface.
https://research.fs.usda.gov/nrs/fire/wui. Accessed January 12, 2026.
Source: RanchoMissionViejo.com
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California, where we have led the nation in both WUI growth and wildfires for 30 years.14
The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem
The current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firewise USA program was
developed out of the 1986 Wildfire Strikes Home conference principally organized by
the U.S. Forest Service and the NFPA. This initiative was the initial fire management
response to the home destruction problem related to wildfires nationally recognized in
1985 which has since become known as the WUI fire problem.15
By the middle of this century, many Orange County residents may have a dramatic
experience with wildfire due to increasingly drier, hotter conditions. Research that
examined wildfires during the period from 1959 through 2009 predicts that in the next 25
years Southern California will see increased wildfires during months when fall winds
occur and also during the warmer, summer months. It is estimated that by the mid-21st
century there will be a 64% increase in acreage burned during higher intensity fall
winds, and a 77% increase during summer winds due to warmer and drier climate. A
greater concern is the estimated 20% increase in structures destroyed due to fires
during fall winds and estimated 74% increase in structures destroyed due to fires during
summer winds in warmer, drier conditions.16
Orange County development that continues into the WUI should expect to face these
predictions. This Orange County Grand Jury report focuses on the implications for
increased wildfire and insurance risk and our concern that most homes in WUI areas
are not prepared to resist ignition and destruction by wildfire.
Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Disaster and Suburban Conflagration
WUI fire disasters and suburban conflagrations occur during extreme fire conditions
when numerous houses ignite and burn simultaneously, overwhelming the capabilities
of firefighting resources.17 If enough homes are ignition-resistant, many homes do not
ignite during extreme fire conditions and fire protection is not overwhelmed by the
14 Center for Critical Urban and Environmental Studies. University of California, Santa Cruz. Wildland
Urban Interface (WUI) Research for Resilience: Addressing California’s Climate, Conservation & Housing
Crises. https://criticalurbanenvironments.ucsc.edu/projects/wildland-urban-interface-wui-research-for-
resilience/
15 Jack Cohen. The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem: A Consequence of the Fire Exclusion
Paradigm. Forest History Today. Fall 2008: 20-26.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_2008_cohen_j002.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2026.
16 Yufang Jin, et al. Identification of two distinct fire regimes in Southern California; implications for
economic impact and future change. Environmental Research Letters, Volume 1, Number 9. IOP
Science, September 8, 2015. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/10/9/094005.
Accessed January 9, 2026.
17 Cohen, The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem, 22.
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homes that do ignite; the ignition-resistant homes can survive without firefighter
protection, and an extreme wildfire can occur without becoming a WUI fire disaster 18 or
suburban conflagration.
Suburban conflagrations occur when fire spreads from the wildlands into the WUI and
suburban environment. Suburban conflagration follows the conceptual WUI fire chain of
events in Figure 3.19 Once a structure in a community ignites, the probability of its
complete destruction is high and the risk to the rest of the community increases as the
burning structure produces significant heat and embers.20 Effective prevention of
structure ignitions through home hardening and defensible space measures can break
the WUI fire chain of events.
Figure 3 WUI and suburban conflagration fire disaster chain of events.21
Home Ignition Zone and Home Ignition Potential
The home ignition zone refers to a home and its immediate surroundings within 100 to
200 feet. The home ignition zone principally determines the potential for WUI fire
disasters. Research shows that a home’s ignition potential during extreme wildfires is
determined by the characteristics of its exterior materials and design, their response to
18 Cohen, The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem, 23.
19 Ian M. Gammanco, et al. The Return of Conflagration in Our Built Environment. Insurance Institute for
Business and Home Safety. September 2023. https://ibhs.org/wp-
content/uploads/Suburban_Wildfire_Conflagration_WhitePaper.pdf. Accessed March 20, 2026.
20 Gammanco, The Return of Conflagration, 22.
21 Gammanco, The Return of Conflagration, 14.
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burning objects within 100 feet, and their response to embers. Most destroyed homes in
residential areas ignite from smaller flames and firebrands (lofted embers), not
surrounding vegetation.22 Reducing home ignition potential is the key to preventing WUI
fire disaster.
Reducing Home Ignition Potential Can Prevent Wildland-Urban
Interface Fire Disaster and Suburban Conflagration
During extreme WUI fires, homes ignite and burn and sustain the requirements for
combustion both indirectly and directly: Indirectly from radiation and convection heating
from flames, and directly from ember spot ignitions on a house. Computational modeling
and laboratory and field experiments show that large flames of burning shrubs and tree
canopies must be within 100 feet to ignite a home’s wood exterior, while most destroyed
homes ignite from smaller flames and directly from burning embers.23 These research
results suggest that addressing the conditions in the home ignition zone to significantly
reduce home ignition potential can prevent WUI fire disaster. Reducing home ignition
potential means addressing the ignitability of the structure rather than the immediate
surroundings.
Source: Patrick T. Fallon / Agence France-Presse / Getty Images
An analysis of CAL FIRE data and Butte County property records shows that about 51%
of the 350 single-family homes built after 2008 in the path of the Camp Fire were
undamaged. By contrast, only 18% of the 12,100 homes built prior to 2008 escaped
damage.24 The homes built after 2008 were required to conform to 2008 Title 24,
Chapter 7A of the California Building Standards Code which focused on construction of
new buildings located within WUI and Fire Hazard Severity Zones. These 2008 wildfire
risk mitigation requirements for new homes included materials such as fire-resistant
22 Cohen, The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem, 23.
23 Cohen, The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem, 24.
24 Dale Kasler and Phillip Reese. In Camp Fire, Newer Houses Were Much Less Damaged. The
Sacramento Bee. April 11, 2019, updated January 9, 2024. https://www.kqed.org/science/1940012/newer-
%D8%8Cuses-much-less-damaged-in-camp-fire. Accessed March 4, 2026.
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roofs and siding, and construction methods for exterior wildfire protection. These wildfire
risk mitigation requirements for new construction directly reduce home ignition potential
and help homes constructed to the new standards survive undamaged.
Benefits of Reducing Home Ignition Potential Can Exceed Costs
The benefits of reducing home ignition potential through compliance with new
construction requirements can exceed costs, with 90% of the benefits estimated from
reduced property losses and insurance costs. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) for
complying with the 2015 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) has been
calculated by the National Institute of Building Science for a number of representative
counties with moderate to extreme fire risk. Total benefits were calculated at $3 billion
and total costs at $800 million, suggesting a BCR of approximately 4:1 or $4 saved for
every $1 of additional construction and maintenance cost.25
A national average BCR for retrofitting typical 2,000 square-foot existing homes plus
nearby non-residential buildings (stores, schools, etc.) to 2018 IWUIC ignition-resistant
construction and defensible space was also calculated. Benefits of retrofit exceed costs,
with 93% of the benefits estimated from reduced property losses. Total benefits were
calculated at $430 billion and total costs at $240 billion, equivalent to a national average
BCR of 2:1 or $2 saved for every $1 of retrofit and maintenance costs.26 The per-house
retrofit cost is highly uncertain. The lowest average per-house retrofit cost would imply a
much higher benefit-cost ratio, perhaps as high as 8:1, equivalent to an average of $8
saved for every $1 of retrofit cost.27
Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire Hazard Severity
Zone Mapping
California laws now require Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) mapping.28,29,30 The need
for FHSZ mapping arose from repeated occurrence of major destructive fires. The FHSZ
maps are developed using a science-based and field-tested model that assigns a
hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. There
are three levels of hazard score: Moderate, High, and Very High. Many factors are
25 National Institute of Building Science, Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves. 63
26 National Institute of Building Science, Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves, 114.
27 National Institute of Building Science, Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves, 115.
28 California Public Resources Code 4201-4204. https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-prc/division-
4/part-2/chapter-1/article-9/
29 California Government Code 51175-89. https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-gov/title-5/division-
1/part-1/chapter-6-8/section-51175/
30 California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280.
https://regulations.justia.com/states/california/title-14/division-1-5/chapter-7/subchapter-3/article-1/section-
1280/
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considered such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted
flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for the area. FHSZ maps
evaluate hazard, not risk. “Hazard” is based on the physical conditions that create a
likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30- to 50-year period without considering
mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts.
“Risk” is the potential damage that a fire can do to the area under existing conditions,
accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and
ignition resistant building construction.31
FHSZ mapping began with the State
Responsibility Area (SRA), defined as a
designated area in California where the
state has primary responsibility for fire
prevention and suppression. The SRA
FHSZ mapping went into effect in April
2024. Since then, the Office has also been
mapping Local Responsibility Areas (LRA),
defined as a portion of land where local
agencies, such as city or county fire
departments, are responsible for wildfire
protection. All Orange County FHSZ maps
are accessible at the CAL FIRE website.32
Figure 4 shows an example of an Orange
County city FHSZ map. Appendix C shows
a screenshot of Orange County FHSZs
using the CAL FIRE Find Your Fire Hazard
Severity Zone viewer accessible at this
CAL FIRE web address:33
31 CAL FIRE. Office of the State Fire Marshal. Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Explore Fire Hazard Severity
Zones. . https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-
severity-zones. Accessed March 20, 2026.
32 CAL FIRE. Office of the State Fire Marshal. Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Area.
Phase 4. Orange County.
https://calfire.app.box.com/s/wahuw9ny7cgn89xpxh7092ur50r1pwvj/folder/312669458215 . Accessed
March 12, 2026.
33 CAL FIRE. Office of the State Fire Marshal. Fire Hazard Severity Zones. https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-
we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zones . Accessed March 12,
2026.
Figure 4 Example of an Orange County City LRA
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
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https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5065c998b4b0462f9ec3c6c226c610a9 .
Homeowners can enter their address in this viewer to find whether their property is
located within a specific FHSZ.
How Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps Impact Homeowners
FHSZ maps have no direct impact on insurance coverage. The CDI states that the
FHSZ maps are intended to drive local planning decisions, not insurance decisions, and
that FHSZ maps have nothing to do with insurance rating.34
Though not used directly for insurance rating, FHSZ mapping does have significant
indirect impacts. Properties located in High or Very High FHSZs are subject to certain
legal requirements. New state building code requirements effective January 2026 for
homes within a FHSZ or a WUI area include fire-resistant materials and construction
methods. Buildings in these areas are subject to defensible space requirements. If you
sell a home located in these areas, you are required to disclose fire risk and compliance
to potential buyers using a specific form.
These regulations are in place to increase fire-resistance of communities and ensure
property owners are aware of the risks involved in living in a wildfire-prone area.
California Wildland-Urban Interface Code Effective January 1, 2026
Title 24, Part 7 of the California Building Standards Code, also referred to as the 2025
California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC),35 became effective January 1,
2026.
Title 24, Part 7, Chapter 5, Special Building Construction Regulations establishes
minimum standards to locate, design and construct buildings and structures or portions
thereof for the protection of life and property, to resist damage from wildfires, and to
mitigate building and structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels.36 Chapter 5
requirements for construction within a FHSZ or a WUI area include:
Specifications for fire-resistance-rated construction and non-combustible
materials
Ignition-resistant construction and material
Replacement or repair of roof coverings
34 California Department of Insurance. CAL FIRE Hazard Maps Do Not Affect Insurance Rates or
Availability. https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0102-alerts/2025/CAL-FIRE-hazard-maps-do-not-
affect-insu.cfm. Accessed March 6, 2026.
35 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Title 24, Part 7, 2024 IWUIC Amended, Effective Date:
Jan 01, 2026. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/CAWUIC2025P2. Accessed January 22, 2026.
36 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Title 24, Part 7, 2024 IWUIC Amended, Effective Date:
Jan 01, 2026. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/CAWUIC2025P2. Accessed January 22, 2026.
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Defensible Space Requirements and the New Ember-Resistant Zone 0
The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is responsible for the existing
defensible space regulations37 for buildings or structures located in the SRA or in Very
High FHSZ in the LRA. If you have a home or building in the SRA or in the Very High
FHSZ in the LRA, you are responsible for ensuring that your property complies with
defensible space requirements to protect structures from wildfire. The Board of Forestry
and Fire Protection webpages include an illustration of existing Defensible Space Zones
0, 1, and 2 (Figure 5), and links to Zones 0, 1, and 2 resources.38
Figure 5 Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Defensible Zones 0, 1, and 2
It is important to note that “ember-resistant Zone 0” does not mean all vegetation,
including trees, within 0-5 feet must be removed. New ember-resistant Zone 0
37 California Public Resources Code Division 4 - Forests, Forestry and Range and Forage Lands Part 2 -
Protection of Forest, Range and Forage Lands Chapter 3 - Mountainous, Forest-, Brush- and Grass-
Covered Lands Section 4291. https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-prc/division-4/part-2/chapter-
3/section-4291/. Accessed January 14, 2026.
38 State of California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. https://bof.fire.ca.gov/projects-and-
programs/defensible-space-zones-0-1-and-2. Accessed January 14, 2026.
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vegetation options will be finalized later in 2026. The next public workshop meeting is
scheduled for April 23, 2026. New ember-resistant Zone 0 requirements enhance
existing defensible space requirements in High and Very High FHSZs in the LRA to
create an ember-resistant zone within 0 to 5 feet of a building. 39 Compliance with
existing or enhanced defensible space requirements addresses home ignition potential
and reduces home ignitability. Reducing the ignitability of enough homes can break the
WUI fire chain of events and help more homes escape destruction or survive
undamaged.
AB38 Defensible Space Compliance Documentation and Disclosure
AB38 became effective in 2021, requiring sellers of property located in a High or Very
High FHSZ to provide buyers with documentation stating the property complies with
state defensible space requirements or local vegetation management ordinances, as
applicable. The law provides that if documentation demonstrating compliance cannot be
obtained by the close of escrow, a written agreement may be executed showing that the
buyer agrees to obtain documentation of compliance within one year of the close of
escrow. 40
The law also requires a Defensible Space Disclosure be provided by sellers of property
located in a High or Very High FHSZ to buyers of homes constructed before January 1,
2010. The Disclosure must include specified information and a copy of a final inspection
report, or information on where the report may be obtained. A sample Defensible Space
Disclosure notice is reproduced at Appendix D.
California Homeowners Insurance Crisis
Devastating property losses and casualties resulting from numerous wildfires in
California WUI areas and other natural disasters beginning in 2018 have precipitated a
continuing homeowners insurance crisis. Beginning in 2022 and 2023, insurers began
dramatically raising California homeowners fire insurance premiums in what were
considered wildfire risk areas, and some insurers began to stop issuing policies in high-
risk areas or withdraw from the California homeowners’ insurance market altogether.
Like many homeowners throughout the state that are severely impacted by the
insurance crisis, many Orange County homeowners are also impacted.
39 Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Summary of October 2025 Draft Zone 0 Regulation Language.
https://34c031f8-c9fd-4018-8c5a-4159cdff6b0d-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/bof-website/projects-
and-programs/defensible-space-zones-0-1-2/october-zone-0-summary-and-rule-
plead.pdf?rev=927f9551dc7b4f15b8263671cca15ef2&hash=F80F2C5451370BB3C855E38CCCC516D4.
Accessed February 17, 2025.
40 Assembly Bill 38, Wood. Fire safety: low-cost retrofits: regional capacity review: wildfire mitigation.
Approved October 2, 2019. California-2019-AB38-Chaptered
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Actions have been taken by the state legislature and the CDI during the last three years
to strengthen the property insurance market, increase insurer commitments to write
more policies in wildfire-distressed areas, and provide a framework to support
homeowners in securing premium reductions from insurers when they take specific
actions to reduce their community- and property-level wildfire risk.41 Despite these
actions, many homeowners remain vulnerable to dramatic policy premium increases,
nonrenewal, or the inability to secure traditional insurance coverage.
A recent New York Times article42 cites a 2023 California Association of Realtors survey
wherein “nearly 7 percent of realtors surveyed…said that they had deals fall out of
escrow that year because buyers couldn’t find adequate, affordable coverage.” As
further cited in the article: “The percentage of realtors reporting that they had deals fall
through for lack of insurance has more than doubled since 2023, to 16.6 percent.”
Unabated Growth of the California FAIR Plan
The continuing statewide insurance crisis is further demonstrated by the unabated
growth in California FAIR Plan residential insurance policies. The FAIR Plan provides
basic fire insurance coverage for
eligible high-risk properties when
such coverage is demonstrated by
the applicant to be unavailable in
the traditional insurance market.43
FAIR Plan coverage is limited,
relatively expensive, and is the
insurer of last resort for these
properties. During the period from
September 2023 to September
2025, the number of FAIR Plan
residential dwelling policies in
force (PIF) increased from
320,581 to 625,033 as shown at
41 California Department of Insurance. Sustainable Insurance Strategy.
https://ains.assembly.ca.gov/system/files/2023-12/insurance-commissioner-ricardo-lara-california-
sustainable-insurance-strategy-presentation-to-assembly-insurance-committee-12-13-2023.pdf. Accessed
January 29, 2026.
42 New York Times.California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes. November 1, 2025.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/us/los-angeles-california-fire-insurance-regulations.html. Accessed
March 25, 2026.
43 The California FAIR Plan. https://www.cfpnet.com/. Accessed March 25, 2026.
Figure 6 Total FAIR Plan Dwelling and Commercial Policies
Have Increased, September 2023 to September 2025
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Figure 6.44 FAIR Plan data for Orange County residential policies in 2022 is shown in
Appendix E.
The FAIR Plan is a syndicated fire insurance pool comprised of all insurers licensed to
conduct property and casualty business in California. The FAIR Plan was established by
statute45 in August 1968 as an insurance placement facility and all licensed
property/casualty insurers that write basic property insurance are required to be
members of the FAIR Plan. The FAIR Plan issues policies on behalf of its member
companies, and each member company participates in the profits, losses, and
expenses of the FAIR Plan in direct proportion to its market share of business written in
the state. The FAIR Plan is not a state agency or public entity; it does not receive public
or taxpayer funding. As the total number of FAIR Plan policies continues to grow
unabated, so does the financial strain on the overall FAIR Plan fire insurance pool.
Insurance Relief for Homeowners: Safer from Wildfires
Insurance Regulation
The first of the wildfire safety regulatory incentives was the Safer from Wildfires
regulation enacted in fall 2022.46 Safer from Wildfires requires insurers to offer premium
discounts based, in part, on mandatory factors including community-level wildfire risk
mitigation designations and property-level wildfire risk mitigation efforts. Every action
taken under Safer from Wildfires qualifies applicants and policyholders for insurance
discounts.
Safer from Wildfires: Community-Level Wildfire Risk Mitigation
There are two examples of community-level wildfire risk mitigation designations listed in
the Safer from Wildfire regulation: 1) Fire Risk Reduction Community Listing 47 approved
by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, and 2) Firewise USA Site Designation 48
approved by the National Fire Protection Association. Other examples of community-
level wildfire risk mitigation designations include local Fire Safe Council supported by
the California Fire Safe Council, Community Wildfire Protection Plan supported by the
44 Key Statistics & Data. The California FAIR Plan. https://www.cfpnet.com/key-statistics-data/. Accessed
March 25, 2026.
45 California Insurance Code sections 10090 et seq. https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-
ins/division-2/part-1/chapter-9/section-10090/. Accessed April 21, 2026.
46 California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Section 2644.9
47 Fire Risk Reduction Community listed by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Public
Resources Code Section 4290.1. https://bof.fire.ca.gov/projects-and-programs/fire-risk-reduction-
community-list. Accessed February 10, 2026.
48 Firewise USA program managed by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
https://www.nfpa.org/Education-and-Research/Wildfire/Firewise-USA. Accessed April 21, 2026.
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U.S. Fire Administration, and the Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood™ Pilot Program 49
being launched by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
Safer from Wildfires: Property-Level Wildfire Risk Mitigation
Safer from Wildfires also requires insurers to offer premium discounts based, in part, on
the reduced wildfire risk resulting from each and every property-level wildfire risk
mitigation action. These individual property-level wildfire risk mitigation efforts include
measures addressing the immediate surroundings of a building and building hardening.
The IBHS offers homeowner guidance based on its research,50 and a property-level
Wildfire Prepared Home™ designation51 that recognizes mitigation measures
addressing both immediate surroundings and home hardening.
Safer from Wildfires: Property-Level Measures Addressing Immediate
Surroundings - Defensible Space
The following measures are specified in Safer from Wildfires to address the immediate
surroundings of a building. Each of these actions qualifies for insurance discount:
a. Clearing of vegetation and debris from under decks
b. Clearing of vegetation, debris, mulch, stored combustible materials, and any and
all movable combustible objects from the area within five (5) feet of the building
c. Use of only noncombustible materials in any improvements to the property,
including fences and gates situated within five (5) feet of the building
d. Removal or absence of combustible structures, including sheds and other
outbuildings, from the area within thirty (30) feet of the building or as much of
such area as is under the control of the applicant or policyholder
e. Whether the property upon which the building is situated complies with state or
local defensible space requirements, as applicable
Safer from Wildfires: Property-Level Building Hardening Measures
The following building hardening measures are specified in Safer from Wildfires. Each
of these actions qualifies for insurance discount:
a. Class-A fire rated roof
b. Enclosed eaves
49 Institute for Business & Home Safety. Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood Pilot Program.
https://wildfireprepared.org/wildfire-prepared-neighborhood-pilot-program/. Accessed March 19, 2026.
50 IBHS Research. Wildland Fire Embers and Flames: Home Mitigations That Matter. April 2023.
https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/Home-Mitigations-that-Matter-FINAL.pdf .
Accessed February 10, 2026.
51 Institute for Business & Home Safety. Wildfire Prepared Home: Take Proven Steps to Reduce Your
Risk. https://wildfireprepared.org/. Accessed March 19, 2026.
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c. Fire-resistant vents
d. Multipane windows, including dual pane windows, or functional shutters, which
when closed, cover the entire window and do not have openings
e. At least six (6) inches of noncombustible vertical clearance at the bottom of the
exterior surface of the building, measured from the ground up
Safer from Wildfires: Optional Factors
The Safer from Wildfires regulation also incorporates other optional factors that are
substantially related to risk of wildfire loss. These optional factors may include, but are
not limited to: fuel, slope, access, aspect, structural characteristics, wind, and other
community-level or property-level mitigation efforts, or designations as recommended by
a state or local fire safety agency or organization as reducing wildfire risk.
Reducing Wildfire and Insurance Risk: AB888 The
California Safe Homes Grant Program
AB888 established the California Safe Homes Grant Program in October 2025 to be
developed and administered by the Department of Insurance for the purpose of
achieving the following goals:
(1) Reducing local and statewide wildfire losses
(2) Improving insurability and resilience of vulnerable communities
(3) Home hardening of insurable properties to mitigate wildfire risk and enable
consumers to get access to insurance premium incentives offered by insurance
companies and in alignment with the department’s rules.
Eligible California Safe Home Grant Program applicants include qualifying individuals
and qualifying cities, counties, and special districts. For individuals, grant funds may be
awarded if the following criteria are met:
(1) The property of the applicant is covered by an admitted insurer or the California
FAIR Plan
(2) The property of the applicant is in a ZIP Code that overlaps with a High or Very
High FHSZ.
(3) The income of the applicant is no higher than the low-income limit for the county
in which they reside
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As of January 1, 2026, the Department of Insurance was developing the grant
application portal and planned to begin accepting California Safe Homes Grant
applications in spring 2026.52
Our Shared Responsibilities
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
OCFA serves all unincorporated areas of Orange County and its 23 Orange County
member cities. The OCFA Board of Directors is made up of elected officials from the
County and its member cities. The 11 Orange County cities that are not served by OCFA
have their own city fire departments, i.e., their own fire service agencies having
jurisdiction. The list of OCFA member cities and other Orange County fire service
agencies is included at Appendix F.
OCFA education and outreach programs are comprehensive. Online materials and
event scheduling is accessible at their website. and a staff of seven community
education specialists and a community education supervisor are available to coordinate
and attend events. The Wildfire Preparedness53 webpages cover multiple topic areas
including:
Ready, Set, Go!
Home Assessment
Defensible Space Disclosure
Inspection
Pest Control (tree pests
management)
Immediate Zone
FHSZ Maps
Insurance
Contractors (specializing in
wildfire preparedness)
OCFA takes a systematic approach to mitigating risk through its Community Risk
Reduction Department (formerly Fire Prevention). OCFA Community Risk Reduction
(CRR) staff identifies community risks, collaborates with developers, agencies, and
residents to build and maintain safe communities.54 In addition to the extensive Wildland
Preparedness webpages, the CRR department webpages include a section on Wildland
& Vegetation with specific information for homeowners in wildland interface areas. The
CRR department supports homeowners’ risk reduction efforts by providing an online
52 CalMatters. California homeowners could qualify for grants for new roofs and fire safety. January 1,
2026. https://calmatters.org/economy/2026/01/california-safe-homes-grants/. Accessed February 17,
2026.
53 Orange County Fire Authority. Wildfire Preparedness. https://ocfa.org/ready-set-go/. Accessed February
24, 2026.
54 Orange County Fire Authority. About Us. Departments. https://ocfa.org/about-
us/departments/community-risk-reduction/. Accessed February 24, 2026.
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home assessment tool55 that covers the basics of both home hardening and defensible
space principles. The online assessment tool guides the homeowner through a series of
questions and ends with the opportunity to receive an emailed report providing
recommendations for fire mitigation strategies. Before beginning the online
questionnaire, homeowners are given the option to request an in-person home
assessment with an OCFA Fire Prevention Specialist.
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Survey Results - Local Governments and
Fire Service Agencies
This investigation included a survey of Orange County cities to gather information about
their efforts to reduce risk of wildfire in WUI areas and their outreach programs for
homeowners. The Grand Jury invited 34 Orange County cities to respond to the survey
and received 28 responses. Of these 28 responses, 20 were from various city
departments, and eight were from city fire departments.
The Orange County cities that responded to the survey reported having from zero to
100% of their city land area within Moderate, High, or Very-High FHSZs. Reported land
areas may not match each individual city’s FHSZ map. A summary of the survey results
for city area reported in FHSZs are shown at Figure 7:
55 Orange County Fire Authority. Home Assessment Tool. https://ocfa.org/ready-set-go/home-
assessment/. Accessed February 24, 2026.
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City Area Reported in
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
% of
Responding
Cities
# of
Responding
Cities
No area in FHSZ 21% 6
Some area in FHSZ (not quantified) 14% 4
2% to 25% in FHSZ 25% 7
26% to 50% in FHSZ 18% 5
51% to 75% in FHSZ 11% 3
76% to 100% in FHSZ 11% 3
Figure 7 City Area Reported in Fire Hazard Severity Zones
11 of 28 responding cities reported having achieved or have applications pending
approval for community-level wildfire risk mitigation designations. Achievement of
community-level wildfire risk mitigation designations is a significant way local
governments, local fire departments, unincorporated areas, and special districts can
reduce wildfire and insurance risk for their residents. A summary of the survey results
for cities that have achieved or applied for community-level wildfire risk mitigation
designation are shown at Figure 8.
21%
14%
25%
18%
11%
11%
City Area Reported in Fire Hazard Severity Zones
No area in FHSZ Some area in FHSZ (not quantified)
2% to 25% in FHSZ 26% to 50% in FHSZ
51% to 75% in FHSZ 76% to 100% in FHSZ
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Achieved, Applied for, or Plan to Apply
for a Community-Level Wildfire Risk
Mitigation Designations
% of
Responding
Cities
# of
Responding
Cities
Yes 39% 11
No 61% 17
In progress 0% 0
Figure 8 Cities Reporting Achieved, Applied for, or Plan to Apply for a
Community-Level Wildfire Risk Mitigation Designation
16 of 28 responding cities reported having an outreach program that provides
information and guidance to property owners on wildfire risk mitigation measures and
grant programs. A summary of the survey results on cities reporting whether they have
these outreach programs in place are shown at Figure 9. These outreach programs are
needed to help homeowners achieve awareness and ability to plan and take actions
required to reduce individual and community wildfire and insurance risk.
39%
61%
0%
Cities That Have Achieved, Applied for, or Plan to
Apply for a Community-level Wildfire Risk
Mitigation Designation
Yes No In progress
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Outreach Program to Provide Information
and Guidance to Property Owners on
Wildfire Risk Mitigation Measures and
Grants
% of
Responding
Cities
# of
Responding
Cities
Yes 57% 16
No 29% 8
In progress 14% 4
Figure 9 Cities Reporting Outreach Program to Provide Information and
Guidance to Property Owners on Wildfire Risk Mitigation Measures and/or
Grants
11 of the 16 cities reported having their own outreach programs, are Orange County
Fire Authority (OCFA) member cities, and referred to one or more of OCFA’s
comprehensive programs and resources (see Figure 10). While OCFA member cities’
use of OCFA outreach programs and resources is efficient and beneficial to their
residents, the availability of a direct local contact at the city who is knowledgeable and
can provide even a minimum of information and guidance on wildfire mitigation
resources would help remove barriers to homeowners’ actions to reduce wildfire risk.
57%29%
14%
Cities That Have an Outreach Program to Provide
Information and Guidance to Property Owners on
Wildfire Risk Mitigation Measures and/or Grants
Yes No In progress
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Outreach Program Refers to Orange
County Fire Authority Programs and
Resources
% of
Responding
Cities
# of
Responding
Cities
Yes 55% 11
No 45% 9
Figure 10 Cities Reporting Their Outreach Program Refers to Orange County
Fire Authority Outreach Programs and Resources
Orange County Homeowners Associations Play an Important Role
According to the California Community Managers Association, there are 4,927
homeowners associations (HOA) in Orange County, and 82% of Orange County
residents live in HOAs.56 These HOAs communicate directly with their residents, and
thus have the ability to mobilize people and resources to effectively achieve and
maintain community-level wildfire risk mitigation designations and reduce their residents’
homeowner insurance premiums.
HOAs are the local contact for their residents, and through their architectural and
landscape standards can effectively communicate information on home hardening and
defensible space requirements. HOAs often host community leaders and local fire
service agencies for fire prevention workshops and other outreach events for HOA
residents. Their local contact function can also provide information and organize
opportunities to volunteer and support local fire prevention overall through activities
such as Citizens Brigade57 and Bike Brigade.58 These HOA-hosted workshops, outreach
56 California Association of Community Managers. Estimated number of residents living in HOAs based
on average of 2010-2014 Census reports of 3.04 persons per household. www.cacm.org.
57 Weathered: After the LA Firestorm. PBS, KCET, 2026.
58Ellis, Rebecca. Los Angeles Times. January 10, 2026. Topanga Canyon felt abandoned. So residents
are banding together to fight fire. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/topanga-canyon-
felt-abandoned-so-residents-are-banding-together-to-fight-fire. Accessed March 6, 2026.
55%
45%
Cities With an Outreach Program That Refers
To OCFA Programs and Resources
Yes No
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events, and local contact functions are effective means to help homeowners achieve
awareness and ability to plan and take actions necessary to reduce wildfire and
insurance risk.
HOAs often have significant responsibility for large open space areas of Orange County
that can total hundreds of acres of fuel modification zones. The HOAs’ collaborative role
with local fire service agencies in managing these fuel modification zones is as
important as their role with HOA residents in the shared responsibilities for wildfire and
insurance risk reduction.
Homeowners are Responsible for Reducing Home Ignition Potential
Fire science research has demonstrated that ignition-resistant homes can survive
wildfire without firefighter protection.59 Where there are enough ignition-resistant homes,
the WUI fire chain of events can be broken to prevent fire disasters, and these homes
can escape destruction or survive undamaged. Taking the actions necessary to make
homes ignition resistant to windborne embers is the responsibility of homeowners. The
role of the homeowner is critical in the shared responsibilities for reducing wildfire and
insurance risk in WUI areas.
Homeowners need support from local governments and fire service agencies to achieve
the awareness and ability to plan and take actions necessary to make homes ignition
resistant. This support is most effectively delivered through local outreach programs ;
effective communications in outreach programs have been found to be the more local,
personalized efforts such as one-on-one consultation with fire experts, townhall events,
small workshops, tours, and demonstrations.60 For example, provision of in-person or
online home assessments that result in written recommendations to homeowners for
specific wildfire risk mitigation actions. Documentation of the recommended actions
taken can then be presented to homeowners’ insurers for the insurance discounts
required by Safer from Wildfires.
Safer from Wildfires home hardening and defensible space measures protect
homes and communities, save homeowners, local governments, and fire
authorities as well as insurance companies from catastrophic loss while also
providing discounts for homeowners’ insurance premiums.
Reducing wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface helps ensure that insurance
coverage remains accessible. California’s wildfire and insurance crisis demands
coordinated action from local governments and fire authorities, communities, and
homeowners to reduce risk of wildfire.
59 Cohen, The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Problem, 23.
60 Gammanco, The Return of Conflagration, 34.
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FINDINGS
In accordance with California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the 2025-2026
Orange County Grand Jury requires (or, as noted, requests) responses from each
agency affected by the findings presented in this section. The responses are to be
submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
Based on its investigation “Wildfires Hit Home” the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand
Jury has arrived at the following six findings:
F1 More frequent and severe wildfires driven by increasingly hotter, drier, and
windier conditions in the Orange County wildland-urban interface are
escalating impacts on financial and non-financial resources. Among the
financial costs are dramatic increases in homeowners’ insurance
premiums, nonrenewals, and inabilities to obtain insurance.
F2 Actions that address conditions in the home ignition zone to significantly
reduce ignition potential can prevent a community wildland-urban interface
fire disaster or suburban conflagration.
F3 Expanded engagement with the community to raise awareness and
provide support regarding home hardening and defensible space will
increase effectiveness of wildfire risk mitigation and insurance risk
reduction efforts.
F4 Achievement of community-level and property-level wildfire risk mitigation
designations (such as Firewise USA Site, Fire Risk Reduction Community
or Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety certification) lessens
wildfire risk and helps reduce insurance premium costs.
F5 All county residents should be made aware that Safer from Wildfire
regulation requires insurers to provide discounts to homeowners and
communities that implement home hardening and defensible space
measures regardless of whether a property is located within a Fire Hazard
Severity Zone.
F6 AB888, California Safe Homes Grant Program, provides financial
assistance to eligible homeowners, cities, counties, and special districts
for home hardening and defensible space measures. Applying for and
using these grant funds will reduce wildfire losses and improve insurability
and resilience of vulnerable communities.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
In accordance with California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the 2025-2026
Orange County Grand Jury requires (or, as noted, requests) responses from each
agency affected by the recommendations presented in this section. The responses are
to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
Based on its investigation described herein, the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury
makes the following recommendations:
R1 By December 31, 2026, the Orange County Board of Supervisors should
plan to host a county-wide annual wildfire prevention fair for the County
and all cities and fire service agencies, including Orange County Fire
Authority, to showcase respective wildfire outreach programs, and for the
first annual wildfire prevention fair to be scheduled no later than December
31, 2027. [F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6]
R2 By December 31, 2026, cities and fire service agencies, including Orange
County Fire Authority should commit to participation in a county-wide
annual wildfire prevention fair planned by the Orange County Board of
Supervisors to showcase wildfire prevention outreach programs. [F1, F2,
F3, F4, F5, F6]
R3 By December 31, 2026, cities, unincorporated areas, special districts, and
fire service agencies in High and Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
should initiate planning activities to achieve community-level wildfire risk
mitigation designations and/or establish a local Fire Safe Council within
one year. [F4, F5, F6]
R4 By December 31, 2026, to ensure city residents are engaged and aware
of wildfire risk reduction resources, OCFA member and non-member cities
should provide information, develop their own outreach program, and
establish a direct contact person(s) for their residents. This is in addition to
whatever referrals or references made to OCFA outreach programs. [F1,
F2, F3, F4, F5, F6]
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COMMENDATIONS
Yorba Linda Water District
The 2025-26 Orange County Grand Jury extends its special thanks to the Yorba Linda
Water District (YLWD) for providing two tours of its facilities, including their non-portable
Heli-Hydrants™. The YLWD with foresight and planning installed three Heli-Hydrant™
facilities. One of the tanks was the first
to be installed in Southern California.
These innovative tanks enable fire
department helicopters to access water
more quickly and efficiently, improving
helicopter firefighting capabilities in
areas where wildland vegetation and
human development intersect, such as
in the Yorba Linda service area.
Newport Beach Fire Department
The 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury acknowledges and recognizes the Newport
Beach Fire Department for their outstanding and continuing efforts to lead the Southern
California region in dedication and adherence to the highest level of fire protection and
safety. They are a role model for other cities in Orange County and elsewhere. In 2024,
the Insurance Services Office honored Newport Beach Fire Department as a Top Tier
Class 1 fire agency through its Public Protection Classification Program Newport Beach
Fire Department shares the Top Tier Class 1 designation with only about 1% of the top
fire departments nationwide.
The Grand Jury particularly commends Newport Beach Fire Prevention leadership, who
generously dedicated time and expertise to share insights from their extensive
knowledge of fire science.
Source: 2025-2026 Grand Jury
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REQUIRED RESPONSES
California Penal Code Section 933 requires the governing body of any public agency
which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to
comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and
recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body. Such
comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report
(filed with the Clerk of the Court). Additionally, in the case of a report containing findings
and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected
County official (e.g., District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such elected County official shall
comment on the findings and recommendations pertaining to the matters under that
elected official’s control within 60 days to the Presiding Judge with an information copy
sent to the Board of Supervisors.
The following excerpts from the California Penal Code provide the requirements for
public agencies to respond to the Findings and Recommendations of this Grand Jury
report:
§933
(c) No later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of
any public agency subject to its reviewing authority, the governing body of the public
agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and
recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body, and
every elected county officer or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility
pursuant to Section 914.1 shall comment within 60 days to the presiding judge of the
superior court, with an information copy sent to the board of supervisors, on the findings
and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of that county officer or
agency head and any agency or agencies which that officer or agency head supervises
or controls. In any city and county, the mayor shall also comment on the findings and
recommendations. All of these comments and reports shall forthwith be submitted to the
presiding judge of the superior court who impaneled the grand jury. A copy of all
responses to grand jury reports shall be placed on file with the clerk of the public
agency and the office of the county clerk, or the mayor when applicable, and shall
remain on file in those offices. One copy shall be placed on file with the applicable
grand jury final report by, and in the control of the currently impaneled grand jury, where
it shall be maintained for a minimum of five years.
§933.05.
(a) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury finding, the
responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following:
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(1) The respondent agrees with the finding.
(2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the
response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an
explanation of the reasons, therefore.
(b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury
recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following
actions:
(1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the
implemented action.
(2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the
future, with a timeframe for implementation.
(3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope
and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared
for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or
reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This
timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury
report.
(4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not
reasonable, with an explanation, therefore.
(c) However, if a finding or recommendation of the grand jury addresses budgetary or
personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both
the agency or department head and the board of supervisors shall respond if requested
by the grand jury, but the response of the board of supervisors shall address only those
budgetary or personnel matters over which it has some decision-making authority. The
response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the
findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department.
The Orange County Grand Jury requires the following responses:
Orange County Board of Supervisors 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R1, R2, R3
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Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3
City of Aliso Viejo 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Anaheim 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Brea 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Buena Park 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Costa Mesa 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Cypress 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
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City of Dana Point 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Fountain Valley 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Fullerton 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Garden Grove 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Huntington Beach 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Irvine 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of La Habra 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
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City of La Palma 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Laguna Beach 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Laguna Hills 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Laguna Niguel 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Laguna Woods 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Lake Forest 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Los Alamitos 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
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City of Mission Viejo 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Newport Beach 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Orange 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Placentia 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Rancho Santa Margarita 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of San Clemente 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of San Juan Capistrano 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
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City of Santa Ana 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Seal Beach 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Stanton 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Tustin 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Villa Park 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
City of Westminster 90 Day Response Requested
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R4
City of Yorba Linda 90 Day Response Required
Findings: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
Recommendations: R2, R3, R4
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Acronyms
AB Assembly Bill
B Brush
BCR Benefit Cost Ratio
CAL FIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
CAL OES California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
CC Contract Counties
CDI California Department of Insurance
CRR Community Risk Reduction
CWUIC California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
FAIR Fair Access to Insurance Requirement
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHDS Fire Hardening and Defensible Space
FHSZ Fire Hazard Severity Zone
G Grass
HOA Homeowners Association
IBHS Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety®
IWUIC International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
LRA Local Responsibility Area
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
OCFA Orange County Fire Authority
P&C Property and Casualty
PIF Policies in Force
SB Senate Bill
SRA State Responsibility Area
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
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USFS United States Forest Service
WRAP Wildfire Risk Reduction and Asset Protection
WUI Wildland-Urban Interface
YLWD Yorba Linda Water District
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Glossary
Aspect Compass direction that a slope or terrain surface faces, influencing
sunlight exposure, temperature, and vegetation.
Catastrophic loss A sudden, severe, and often, widespread event resulting in extreme
financial, loss of life, or permanent injury.
Class-A roof Highest fire resistance classification for a roof assembly, signifying
its effectiveness against severe fire exposure.
Conflagration A particularly large and destructive fire; in the built environment, this
may describe a fire that spreads via structure to structure.
Defensible space Buffer zone created and managed between buildings and
surrounding wildland area to protect buildings from embers, flames,
or heat, slow or stop wildfire spread, and help ensure safety of
firefighters.
Ember Small piece of burning or glowing fragment from a fire.
Ember-resistant Refers to features that reduce the risk of ignition from embers.
Ember spot ignition Refers to one of the principal ways homes can ignite during
extreme WUI fires, by embers directly on a house.
Firebrands Refers to airborne embers; pieces of burning wood.
Firewise USA Program administered by NFPA® and co-sponsored by the USDA
Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Fuel modification zone Designated area where vegetation is managed to reduce
wildfire risk for protection of homes and communities.
Fuel reduction Management of vegetation to reduce risk of wildfires.
Heli-Hydrant™ Patented rapid-fill water tank system for helicopter firefighting
operations.
Home hardening Utilizing building materials, construction methods and maintenance
practices to increase resistance to ignition from fire exposure.
Home ignition potential Susceptibility of a home and its immediate surroundings
within 100 feet (thirty meters) to ignite during a wildfire.
Home ignition zone A home and its immediate surroundings within 100 feet (thirty
meters).
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Ignition Process leading to the onset of a sustained combustion reaction ;
“start of a fire.”
Ignition-resistant Refers to materials and construction methods designed to resist
ignition or sustained flaming combustion; difficult to catch fire when
exposed to direct flame or heat.
Wildland fuels Burnable plant materials that can act as fuel during wildfires,
including grasses, shrubs, trees, dead leaves, and fallen pine
needles.
Zone 0 Ember-resistant defensible space within the first five feet around a
structure, required for properties in State Responsibility Area or
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the Local Responsibility
Area.
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Bibliography
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Edelson, Josh. [Cover page lower left image of a home survives Palisades Fire].
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Gammanco, Ian M., et al. The Return of Conflagration in Our Built Environment.
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environmental-implications-of-la-wildfires-eaton-palisades-fires/.
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content/uploads/Home-Mitigations-that-Matter-FINAL.pdf .
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Institute for Business & Home Safety. Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood Pilot Program.
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pilot-program/.
Jacobo, Julia and Ginger Zee, Ginger. A perfect storm of weather and climate conditions
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less-damaged-in-camp-fire.
McChrystal Group. After-Action Review of Alert Notification Systems and Evacuation
Policies for the Eaton and Palisades Fires. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors,
September 25, 2025. https://lacounty.gov/2025/09/25/la-county-releases-after-action-
review-of-alert-notification-systems-and-evacuation-policies-for-the-eaton-and-
palisades-fires/.
Miller, Rebecca. “Residents Reducing Wildfire Risks: Findings from the NFPA®
Firewise® Sites of Excellence Pilot, 2019-2020 ,” May 2022. NFPA® Firewise USA®:
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November 25, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/19/climate/home-
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Appendix A
CAL FIRE Wildfire Data
Source: CalFire Redbook Data
Figure 11 Top 20 Deadliest California Wildfires
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Source: CalFire Redbook Data
Figure 12 Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires
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Figure 13 Large Fires 300 Acres and Greater - State and Contract Counties Direct Protection Area
Figure 14 Orange County Wildfires by Size
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Appendix B
Safer from Wildfires Flyer
Figure 15 Safer from Wildfires Flyer, Page 1
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Figure 16 Safer from Wildfires Flyer, Page 2
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Appendix C
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map of Orange County
Figure 17 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map of Orange County
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Appendix D
Figure 18 Fire Hardening and Defensible Space Disclosure, Page 1
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Figure 19 Fire Hardening and Defensible Space Disclosure, Page 2
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Appendix E
California Department of Insurance Data
Figure 20 California Property and Casualty Insurance Company Homeowners Premium and Loss
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Note: P. O. Boxes are excluded from this list. Data is for calendar year 2022 and includes homeowners
(excluding condominium), mobile home, dwelling fire owner- and tenant-occupied insuring structures with
four or less units.
Source: California Department of Insurance
Figure 21 FAIR Plan Data for Orange County Zip Codes 90620 - 92679
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Note: P. O. Boxes are excluded from this list. Data is for calendar year 2022 and includes homeowners
(excluding condominium), mobile home, dwelling fire owner- and tenant-occupied insuring structures with
four or less units.
Source: California Department of Insurance
Figure 22 FAIR Plan Data for Orange County Zip Codes 92680 – 92899
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Appendix F
OCFA and Covered Cities
Figure 23 Orange County Fire Authority Covered Cities
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Figure 24 Orange County Fire Jurisdictions
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Appendix G
Ready, Set, Go!, Zone 0 At-A-Glance and Links
Figure 25 Ready, Set Go! Flyer for Immediate Zone
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Figure 26 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Defensible Space
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Figure 27 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer for Home Hardening, Page 1
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Figure 28 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer for Home Hardening, Page 2
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Figure 29 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Vegetation Management
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Figure 30 Ready, Set, Go! On Be Ember Aware
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Figure 31 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Home Assessment
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EB6B3FA-DB83-8404-8391-7EFBF15151B5Docusign Envelope ID: B3CA5FE0-27D5-8F26-8321-8D14214E4F7D
Wildfires Hit Home
Page 70 of 74 Orange County Grand Jury 2025-2026
Figure 32 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Wildfire Home Risk Assessment, Page 1
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EB6B3FA-DB83-8404-8391-7EFBF15151B5Docusign Envelope ID: B3CA5FE0-27D5-8F26-8321-8D14214E4F7D
Wildfires Hit Home
Orange County Grand Jury 2025-2026 Page 71 of 74
Figure 33 Ready, Set, Go! Flyer on Wildfire Home Risk Assessment, Page 2
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EB6B3FA-DB83-8404-8391-7EFBF15151B5Docusign Envelope ID: B3CA5FE0-27D5-8F26-8321-8D14214E4F7D
Wildfires Hit Home
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Figure 34 Zone 0 At-A-Glance, Page 1
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EB6B3FA-DB83-8404-8391-7EFBF15151B5Docusign Envelope ID: B3CA5FE0-27D5-8F26-8321-8D14214E4F7D
Wildfires Hit Home
Orange County Grand Jury 2025-2026 Page 73 of 74
Figure 35 Zone 0 At-A-Glance, Page 2
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EB6B3FA-DB83-8404-8391-7EFBF15151B5Docusign Envelope ID: B3CA5FE0-27D5-8F26-8321-8D14214E4F7D
Wildfires Hit Home
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Links
Immediate Zone
https://storageocfaprod001.blob.core.windows.net/blobocfaprod01/2025/12/Immediate-
Zone-2025.pdf
Defensible Space
https://storageocfaprod001.blob.core.windows.net/blobocfaprod01/2025/03/OCFA-RSG-
Defensible-Space-1-1.pdf
Home Hardening
https://storageocfaprod001.blob.core.windows.net/blobocfaprod01/2025/12/Home-
Hardening-2025.pdf
Vegetation Management
https://storageocfaprod001.blob.core.windows.net/blobocfaprod01/2026/01/OCFA-RSG-
Vegetation-Management.pdf
Be Amber Aware
https://storageocfaprod001.blob.core.windows.net/blobocfaprod01/2025/07/OCFA-RSG-
Be-Ember-Aware-688b04d7e4fb9.pdf
Home Assessment
https://storageocfaprod001.blob.core.windows.net/blobocfaprod01/2025/12/Home-
Assessment-2025.pdf
Wildfire Home Risk Assessment
https://storageocfaprod001.blob.core.windows.net/blobocfaprod01/2025/07/OCFA-RSG-
Home-Assessment-Form-688b05b09d57e.pdf
Zone 0 At-A-Glance
https://34c031f8-c9fd-4018-8c5a-4159cdff6b0d-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-
/media/calfire-website/prepare/zone-0-at-a-glance.pdf
Docusign Envelope ID: 3EB6B3FA-DB83-8404-8391-7EFBF15151B5Docusign Envelope ID: B3CA5FE0-27D5-8F26-8321-8D14214E4F7D