Malibu Public Safety Commission Delays Zone Zero Recommendation Play

Zone Zero is not coming to Malibu — yet.

The city's Public Safety Commission on Wednesday night decided to hold off on any recommendation for the controversial fire risk reduction plan. They want to see what regulations the State of California will adopt.

The state has backed away from a strict ban on any landscaping within five feet of houses, a ban that was fiercely opposed by many Californians. The Board of Forestry will meet in two weeks to consider a weakened Zone Zero rule for houses in Very High Risk fire zones, like all of Malibu.

The board is in the process of adopting a phased-in implementation approach that prioritizes education and outreach over a five-year period. While Zone 0 requirements would apply to new construction upon adoption of the regulation, existing homes and structures could implement actions in phases over time within different areas of Zone Zero.

Last night, Public Safety Commissioner Brian Merrick worried about trees and the new rules.

BRIAN MERRICK: "Would Zone Zero consider a tree that's planted 10 feet out, so that's beyond the 5 feet, but its branch goes out over the roof of the house?"

FIRE SAFETY LIAISON BRAD YOCUM: "As long as it's above 5 feet above the roof line and 10 feet away from the chimney, you can have that tree."

MERRICK: "That's not in violation of Zone Zero?"

YOCUM: "Not as it's written now."

MERRICK: "But any type of shrubbery or anything up against the house? Would that include ivy growing up the side of the house?"

YOCUM: "Oh definitely, ivy. Anything that would be combustible, like ivy, that would be banned within Zone Zero for sure."

That's city fire inspector Brad Yocum talking with Brian Merrick about the current Zone Zero plan being considered by the state.

Other cities in fire danger areas have already gone well beyond the watered-down Zone Zero. Some cities in the Bay Area are already banning all plants from within 5 feet of houses in very high fire risk areas. Berkeley has ordered mandatory plant-free "defensible space" around homes near the university.

The watered-down state proposals do allow cities to enact tougher standards, but the Malibu Public Safety Commission last night sounded skeptical of that. With fire season approaching in Malibu, they voted to wait and see what the state will do.