Striving Towards a Shared Goal
As California continues to face growing wildfire risk, one thing is clear: protecting communities requires both strong policy leadership and meaningful, on-the-ground action.
Throughout 2025, the California Board of Forestry & Fire Protection advanced work on Zone 0 regulations under an accelerated timeline prompted by the Governor’s Executive Order. The process brought together scientists, firefighters, homeowners, local governments, and community organizations, some having different perspectives but with a shared goal of reducing wildfire risk by requiring mitigation measures that matter. Firefighters, wildfire scientists, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, and the California Department of Insurance Commissioner have all consistently supported strict Zone 0 standards.
Through dozens of public workshops and hearings, thousands of public comments, and extensive coordination with partners statewide, the Board has worked to shape a path forward grounded in science and balanced by real-world practicality. Fire Safe Marin urges the committee to be “guided by science” which is consistent with our foundational values. While the process for final regulatory decisions has now moved into 2026, this added time provides a valuable opportunity: ensuring that the resulting standards are clear, workable, and capable of being implemented effectively at the local level.
Why Community-Centered Approaches Matter
At Fire Safe Marin, we see firsthand that preparedness is most effective when solutions are shaped with communities. For over 30 years, our work has focused on helping residents move from awareness to action through education, defensible space guidance, and trusted local outreach. Our efforts have been bolstered by close coordination with local fire agencies, community partners and, in more recent years, Marin Wildfire, the first joint powers authority in the nation to be fully dedicated to local wildfire prevention.
Human-centered, locally informed approaches help ensure wildfire guidance is accessible, actionable, and responsive to real-world conditions. This is especially important for seniors, renters, non-English speakers, people with disabilities, and others who may face barriers to wildfire preparedness resources.
Turning Policy Into Real-World Impact
Statewide regulations like Zone 0 are an important step, but policy alone does not create resilience. Lasting impact depends on clear communication, education, and sustained community engagement so residents can understand why changes are needed and how to take meaningful action.
The additional time now built into the regulatory process for Zone 0 strengthens this outcome by allowing for continued collaboration, refinement, and alignment with how communities maintain their homes and actually live with the risk of wildfire.
Looking Ahead
Protecting communities is not a short-term response, but a long-term commitment by residents, neighborhoods, and the firefighters who serve them. As wildfire risk continues to grow, so does the opportunity to prepare properly through science-based fire preparedness efforts and industry-leading best practices. By providing important educational materials and access to crucial resources for residents, such as Wildfire Risk Reports, Fire Safe Marin will continue to guide Marin residents through the reality of living with wildfire.
Fire Safe Marin looks forward to continued collaboration in the months and years ahead. By pairing thoughtful statewide policy with community-driven implementation, we can help ensure wildfire regulations translate into real, lasting protection for Marin County and communities across California. The survivability and insurability of our local communities depends on it.
