Fire‑Smart Vegetation & Fuel‑Modification Standards

Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• CWUIC § 6-3 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 6-3

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  FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

  602.3.2 Final fire protection plan. Final fire protection plan shall include items listed in Section 602.3.1 and the following: 1. A map identifying all proposed plants in the fuel modification zones with a legend that includes a symbol for each proposed plant species. The plan shall include specific information on each species proposed, including but not limited to: 1.1. The plant life-form;

  1.2. The scientific and common name; and

  1.3. The expected height and width for mature growth. 2. Identification of irrigated and nonirrigated zones. 3. Requirements for vegetation reduction around emergency access and evacuation routes. 4. Identification of points of access for equipment and personnel to maintain vegetation in common areas. 5. Legally binding statements regarding community responsibility for maintenance of fuel modification zones. 6. Legally binding statements to be included in covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property owner responsibili- ties for vegetation maintenance.

  SECTION 603— VEGETATION PLAN

  603.1 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce vegetation in proximity to a structure and to maintain vegetation as it matures.

  603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.

  603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.

  603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.

  603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.

  Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.

  To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.

• CWUIC § 1270.01 High relevance — show source text

  FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION. The use of materials and systems in the design and construction of a building or structure to safeguard against the spread of fire within a building or structure and the spread of fire to or from buildings or structures to the wildland-urban interface area.

  FIRE-SMART VEGETATION. Plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that exhibit properties, such as high moisture content, little accu- mulation of dead vegetation and low sap or resin content, that make them less likely to ignite or contribute heat or spread flame in a fire than native vegetation typically found in the region.

  ( Note: The following sources contain examples of types of vegetation that can be considered as fire-smart vegetation: Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes, A Pacific Northwest Extension publication; Home Landscaping for Fire, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Sunset Western Garden Book.)

  [BG] FLAME SPREAD INDEX. A comparative measure, expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual measurements of the spread of flame versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.

  FUEL. Any combustible material, including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, weeds and wildland vegetation.

  FUEL BREAK (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A strategically located area where the volume and arrangement of vegetation has been managed to limit fire intensity, fire severity, rate of spread, crown fire potential and/or ember production. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(n)]

  FUEL MODIFICATION. A method of modifying fuel load by reducing the amount of nonfire-smart vegetation or altering the type of vegetation to reduce the fuel load.

  FUEL MOSAIC. A fuel modification system that provides for the creation of islands and irregular boundaries to reduce the visual and ecological impact of fuel modification.

  FUEL-LOADING. The oven-dry weight of fuels in a given area, usually expressed in pounds per acre (lb/a) (kg/ha). Fuel-loading may be referenced to fuel size or time-lag categories, and may include surface fuels or total fuels.

  GREEN BELT (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). Open space, parks, wildlands, other areas or a combination thereof, as desig- nated by Local Jurisdictions, which are in, surround or are adjacent to a city or urbanized area, that may function as Fuel Breaks and where Building construction is restricted or prohibited. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(o)]

  GREENWAYS (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). Linear open spaces or corridors that link parks and neighborhoods within a community through natural or manmade trails and paths. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(p)]

  HAMMERHEAD/T (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A “T” shaped, three-point turnaround space for fire apparatus on a road or driveway, being no narrower than the road or driveway that serves it. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(q)]

• CWUIC § 102.4 High relevance — show source text

  The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures.

  Chapter 7 Referenced Standards.

  Chapter 7 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 6 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.

  Appendix A General Requirements.

  Appendix A, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide fire-protection measures supplemental to those found in Chapter 6 to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability for controlling such fires. This appendix includes detailed requirements for vegetation control; the code official’s authority to close wildland-interface areas in times of high fire danger; control of fires, fireworks usage and other sources of ignition; storage of hazardous materials and combustibles; bans on the dumping of waste materials and ashes and coals in wildlandurban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.

  Appendix B Vegetation Management Plan.

  Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.

  Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework.

  Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.

  The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.

  Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.

  Appendix D is an informational appendix that is a sample ordinance designed as guidance for a city, county, city and county, or fire district to establish and designate fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction.

  Appendix E Reserved.

  Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.

  Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.

  **App

• California Wildland-Urban Interface Code Medium relevance — show source text

  (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains an occupied dwelling or occupied structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered land, shrub-covered land, grass-covered land, or land that is covered with flammable mate- rial, which area or land is within a very high fire hazard severity zone designated by the local agency pursuant to Section 51179, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire burning under average weather conditions would be unlikely to ignite the structure. This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vege- tation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a structure. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being used between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, to consider the elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers. Consistent with fuels management objectives, steps should be taken to minimize erosion, soil disturbance, and the spread of flammable nonnative grasses and weeds. (B) A greater distance than that required under subparagraph (A) may be required by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. Fuel modification beyond the property line may only be required by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation in order to maintain 100 feet of defensible space from a structure. Fuel modification on adjacent property shall only be conducted following written consent by the adjacent landowner. Any local ordinance related to fuel modification shall be in compliance with all applicable state laws, regulations, and policies. Any local ordinance may include provisions to allocate costs for any fuel modification beyond the property line. (C) An insurance company that insures an occupied dwelling or occupied structure may require a greater distance than that required under subparagraph (A) if a fire expert, designated by the fire chief or fire official from the authority having jurisdiction, provides findings that the fuel modification is necessary to significantly reduce the risk of trans- mission of flame or heat sufficient to ignite the structure, and there is no other feasible mitigation measure possible to reduce the risk of ignition or spread of wildfire to the structure. The greater distance may not be beyond the property line unless allowed by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. (2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. (3) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood. (4) _Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials.

• CWUIC § 603.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.

  603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.

  603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.

  603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.

  Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.

  To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.

  603.4.1 Shrubs. All new plantings of shrubs shall comply with the following: 1. Shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. 2. Groupings of shrubs are limited to a maximum aggregate diameter of 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Shrub groupings shall be separated from other groupings a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm). 4. Shrub groupings shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm). 5. Where shrubs are located below or within a tree’s drip line, the lowest tree branch shall be a minimum of three times the height of the understory shrubs or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.

  603.4.2 Trees. Trees shall be managed as follows within the 30-foot zone (9144 mm) of a structure: 1. New trees shall be planted and maintained so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible structure. 2. The horizontal distance between crowns of new trees and crowns of adjacent trees shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Existing trees shall be trimmed to provide a minimum separation of 10 feet (3048 mm) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1299.03.

• CWUIC § 4291 Medium relevance — show source text

  4291.

  (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered lands, shrub-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or land that is covered with flammable material, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire burning under average weather conditions would be unlikely to ignite the structure. This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vege- tation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a structure. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being utilized between 5 and 30 feet around the struc- ture, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the board, in consultation with the department, to consider the elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers. Consistent with fuels management objectives, steps should be taken to mini- mize erosion, soil disturbance, and the spread of flammable nonnative grasses and weeds. For purposes of this subparagraph, “fuel” means any combustible material, including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, and weeds, and wildland vegetation. (B) A greater distance than that required under subparagraph (A) may be required by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. Fuel modification beyond the property line may only be required by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation in order to maintain 100 feet of defensible space from a structure. Fuel modification on adjacent property shall only be conducted following written consent by the adjacent landowner. Any local ordinance related to fuel modification shall be in compliance with all applicable state laws, regulations, and policies. Any local ordinance may include provisions to allocate costs for any fuel modification beyond the property line.

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  APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

  (C) An insurance company that insures an occupied dwelling or occupied structure may require a greater distance than that required under subparagraph (A) if a fire expert, designated by the director, provides findings that the fuel modi- fication is necessary to significantly reduce the risk of transmission of flame or heat sufficient to ignite the structure, and there is no other feasible mitigation measure possible to reduce the risk of ignition or spread of wildfire to the structure. The greater distance may not be beyond the property line unless allowed by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. (2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. (3) _Maintain a tree, shrub,

• CWUIC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text

  • The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

  The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.

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  APPENDIX F-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

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  F CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION

  This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.

  User notes:

  About this appendix: Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.

  SECTION F101—GENERAL

  F101.1 Characteristics of fire-smart vegetation. All plants will burn under extreme fire weather conditions, such as drought. However, plants burn at different intensities and rates of consumption. Fire-smart plants burn at a relatively low intensity, slow rates of spread and with short flame lengths. The following are characteristics of fire-smart vegetation:

  1. Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation (either on the ground or standing upright).
  2. Nonresinous plants (willow, poplar or tulip trees).
  3. Low volume of total vegetation (for example, a grass area as opposed to a forest or shrub-covered land).
  4. Plants with high live fuel moisture (plants that contain a large amount of water in comparison to their dry weight).
  5. Drought-tolerant plants (deeply rooted plants with thick, heavy leaves).
  6. Stands without ladder fuels (plants without small, fine branches and limbs between the ground and the canopy of overtopping shrubs and trees).
  7. Plants requiring little maintenance (slow-growing plants that, when maintained, require little care).
  8. Plants with woody stems and branches that require prolonged heating to ignite.

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  APPENDIX F-4 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

• CWUIC § 6-4 Medium relevance — show source text

  structure.

  6-4 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

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  FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

  SECTION 604—MAINTENANCE OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE

  604.1 General. Hazardous vegetation and fuels shall be managed to reduce the severity of potential exterior wildfire exposure to build- ings and to reduce the risk of fire spreading to buildings as required by applicable laws and regulations.

  Defensible space shall be managed around all buildings and structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) as required in Public Resources Code 4291.

  604.2 Application. Buildings and structures located in the following areas shall maintain the required hazardous vegetation and fuel management: 1. All unincorporated lands designated as a State Responsibility Area (SRA). 2. Land designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by a city or local agency. 3. Land designated in a city or local agency ordinance as a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area.

  604.3 Requirements. Hazardous vegetation and fuels around all buildings and structures shall be maintained in accordance with the following laws and regulations: 1. Public Resources Code, Section 4291.

  2. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Article 3, Section 1299.03. 3. California Government Code, Section 51182.

  4. California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Section 3.07.

  604.4 Outbuildings. Outbuildings shall have a minimum clearance of 10 feet (3048 mm) down to bare mineral soil in all directions. Vege- tation more than 10 feet (3048 mm) but less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from outbuildings shall be fire-smart vegetation.

  604.5 Disposal of flammable vegetation and fuels. The disposal, including burning or removal to a site approved by the local jurisdic- tion in consultation with the fire authority, of flammable vegetation and fuels caused by site, road and driveway construction shall be in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. [CCR T14 §1276.05]

  SECTION 605—SPARK ARRESTORS

  605.1 General. Chimneys serving fireplaces, barbecues, incinerators or decorative heating appliances in which solid or liquid fuel is used shall be provided with a spark arrestor. Spark arrestors shall be constructed of woven or welded wire screening of 12 USA standard gage wire (0.1046 inch) (2.66 mm) having openings not exceeding [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm).

  605.2 Net free area. The net free area of the spark arrestor shall be not less than four times the net free area of the outlet of the chimney.

  SECTION 606—LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS INSTALLATIONS

  606.1 General. The storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas) and the installation and maintenance of pertinent equipment shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code .

  606.2 Location of containers or tanks. LP-gas containers or tanks shall be located within the defensible space in accordance with the California Fire Code .

• CWUIC § F101 Medium relevance — show source text

  SECTION F101—GENERAL

  F101.1 Characteristics of fire-smart vegetation. All plants will burn under extreme fire weather conditions, such as drought. However, plants burn at different intensities and rates of consumption. Fire-smart plants burn at a relatively low intensity, slow rates of spread and with short flame lengths. The following are characteristics of fire-smart vegetation:

  1. Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation (either on the ground or standing upright).
  2. Nonresinous plants (willow, poplar or tulip trees).
  3. Low volume of total vegetation (for example, a grass area as opposed to a forest or shrub-covered land).
  4. Plants with high live fuel moisture (plants that contain a large amount of water in comparison to their dry weight).
  5. Drought-tolerant plants (deeply rooted plants with thick, heavy leaves).
  6. Stands without ladder fuels (plants without small, fine branches and limbs between the ground and the canopy of overtopping shrubs and trees).
  7. Plants requiring little maintenance (slow-growing plants that, when maintained, require little care).
  8. Plants with woody stems and branches that require prolonged heating to ignite.

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  CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

  APPENDIX G – VOLUNTARY HOME HARDENING RECOMMENDATIONS

  (Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

  Adopting Agency	BSC	BSC- CG	SFM	Col5	HCD	Col7	Col8	DSA	Col10	OSHPD	Col12	Col13	Col14	Col15	Col16	BSCC	DPH	AGR	DWR	CEC	CA	SL	SLC
  Adopting Agency	BSC	BSC- CG	T-24	T-19*	1	2	1/AC	AC	SS	1	1R	2	3	4	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
  Adopt Entire Chapter			X
  Adopt Entire Chapter as amended (amended sections listed below)
  Adopt only those sections that are listed below
  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1]
  Chapter / Section

• CWUIC § 2-3 Medium relevance — show source text

  EXTERIOR WALL COVERING. A material or assembly of materials applied on the exterior side of exterior walls for the purpose of providing a weather-resisting barrier, insulation or for aesthetics, including but not limited to veneers, siding, exterior insulation and finish systems, rainscreen systems, architectural trim, and embellishments such as cornices, soffits, facias, gutters and leaders.

  [F] FIRE CHIEF. The chief officer or the chief officer’s authorized representative of the fire department serving the jurisdiction.

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  DEFINITIONS

  FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the California Fire Code, or a duly authorized representative.

  FIRE FLOW CALCULATION AREA. The floor area, in square feet (square meters), used to determine the adequate water supply.

  FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES. Geographical areas designated pursuant to California Public Resources Codes, Sections 4201 through 4204 California Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189.

  The map, approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, is hereby incorporated by reference and entitled “State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones,” dated September 29, 2023.

  FIRE PROTECTION PLAN. A document prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate potential for loss from wildfire exposure.

  FIRE WEATHER. Weather conditions favorable to the ignition and rapid spread of fire. In wildfires, this generally includes high temperatures combined with strong winds and low humidity. See “Critical fire weather.”

  FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION. The use of materials and systems in the design and construction of a building or structure to safeguard against the spread of fire within a building or structure and the spread of fire to or from buildings or structures to the wildland-urban interface area.

  FIRE-SMART VEGETATION. Plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that exhibit properties, such as high moisture content, little accu- mulation of dead vegetation and low sap or resin content, that make them less likely to ignite or contribute heat or spread flame in a fire than native vegetation typically found in the region.

  ( Note: The following sources contain examples of types of vegetation that can be considered as fire-smart vegetation: Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes, A Pacific Northwest Extension publication; Home Landscaping for Fire, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Sunset Western Garden Book.)

  [BG] FLAME SPREAD INDEX. A comparative measure, expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual measurements of the spread of flame versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.

  FUEL. Any combustible material, including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, weeds and wildland vegetation.

  FUEL BREAK (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A strategically located area where the volume and arrangement of vegetation has been managed to limit fire intensity, fire severity, rate of spread, crown fire potential and/or ember production. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(n)]

• CWUIC § 602.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  602.2 Contents. The fire protection plan shall be based on a project-specific wildfire hazard assessment that includes considerations of location, topography, aspect and climatic and fire history.

  The plan shall identify conformance with all applicable state wildfire protection regulations, statutes and applicable local ordi- nances, whichever are more restrictive.

  The plan shall address fire department access, egress, road and address signage and water supply in addition to fuel reduction in accordance with Public Resources Code (PRC) 4290; the defensible space requirements in accordance with PRC 4291 or Government Code 51182; and the applicable building codes and standards for wildfire safety. The plan shall identify mitigation measures to address the project’s specific wildfire risk and shall include the information required in Sections 602.3 through 602.3.2.

  602.3 Project information. The final fire protection plan shall be reviewed and approved prior to start of construction.

  602.3.1 Preliminary fire protection plan. When a preliminary fire protection plan is submitted, it shall include, at a minimum, the following: 1. Total size of the project. 2. Information on the adjoining properties on all sides, including current land uses, and if known, existing structures and densi- ties, planned construction, natural vegetation, environmental restoration plans, roads and parks. 3. A map with all project boundary lines, property lines, slope contour lines, proposed structure foundation footprints, and proposed roads and driveways. The map shall identify project fuel modification zones and method of identifying the fuel modification zone boundaries.

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  FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

  602.3.2 Final fire protection plan. Final fire protection plan shall include items listed in Section 602.3.1 and the following: 1. A map identifying all proposed plants in the fuel modification zones with a legend that includes a symbol for each proposed plant species. The plan shall include specific information on each species proposed, including but not limited to: 1.1. The plant life-form;

  1.2. The scientific and common name; and

  1.3. The expected height and width for mature growth. 2. Identification of irrigated and nonirrigated zones. 3. Requirements for vegetation reduction around emergency access and evacuation routes. 4. Identification of points of access for equipment and personnel to maintain vegetation in common areas. 5. Legally binding statements regarding community responsibility for maintenance of fuel modification zones. 6. Legally binding statements to be included in covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property owner responsibili- ties for vegetation maintenance.

  SECTION 603— VEGETATION PLAN

  603.1 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce vegetation in proximity to a structure and to maintain vegetation as it matures.

  603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.