Governor Gavin Newsom announced this week he will issue an executive order to harden communities from wind-propelled wildfires that turn into urban firestorms
By ONME News
Wildfires have long been a part of California's ecological history. Native American tribes managed forests with controlled burns to maintain healthy ecosystems. However, modern developments—such as urban expansion and outdated land management practices—have complicated these historical methods.
In fact, after meeting with key state and federal leaders on recovery efforts for Los Angeles firestorm survivors, Governor Gavin Newsom will sign an executive order that directs his Administration to implement key initiatives to harden communities from urban firestorms.
"The devastation in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena aren’t new lessons," said Newsom. "They are the latest lessons in urban firestorms that have devastated communities across the globe. To meet the needs of increasingly extreme weather, where decades-old buildings weren’t planned and designed for today’s realities, these proposals are part of a bigger state strategy to build wildfire and forest resilience from forest management, to huge investments in firefighting personnel and equipment, community hardening, and adopting state-of-the-art response technologies."
The recent catastrophic Palisades and Eaton wildfires, including the Camp Fire in 2018 that destroyed over 18,000 structures and claimed 85 lives, highlight the changing landscape of fire risk. These devastating events occurred after years of intense drought and extreme heat, emphasizing how the current crisis diverges from the past.
The Impact of Rising Temperatures
Rising temperatures in California correlate closely with an uptick in wildfire incidents. Increased heat leads to higher evaporation rates, drying out vegetation and increasing fire risks. For instance, between 1970 and 2020, California's average temperature rose by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly affecting vegetation types and ecosystem balance.
The combination of higher temperatures and prolonged dryness means that both the likelihood of wildfires and their intensity have escalated. As climate change continues, the resilience of local ecosystems is further compromised.
Understanding the Role of Climate Change
Climate change is a long-term change in temperature and weather patterns, greatly accelerated by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Research indicates that climatic shifts are closely linked to the conditions that foster wildfires. Specifically, hot temperatures and dry conditions create an ideal environment for wildfires to ignite and spread.
For example, California has seen a rise in heat waves—periods of unusually high temperatures. A report from the California Climate Change Assessment indicates that the frequency of extreme heat events has increased by over 65% since the late 20th century, making conditions ripe for wildfires.
Over the past decade, the typical wildfire season has transformed from its historic fall occurrence to a year-round threat, leaving communities perpetually on guard.
Also, climate change affects not just the likelihood of wildfires, but their behavior. Extreme weather events, such as powerful winds and increased lightning strikes, have become more prevalent. These factors contribute to rapid fire spread and make control efforts more challenging.
For example, the 2020 August Complex Fire, which burned over 1 million acres, was fueled by high winds and dry conditions. Additionally, the timing of fire seasons is shifting, complicating planning and response strategies. Understanding these changes is critical for Newsom's Administration to develop effective wildfire management techniques.
As the state continues updating its research and utilizing the latest science to understand the state’s ever-evolving climate-induced challenges, the Governor will direct the State Board of Forestry to advance implementation of regulations known as “Zone 0,” which will require an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of structures located in the highest fire severity zone in the state’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone local maps and the State Responsibility Area, mitigating the risk of conflagration in urban areas like what occurred during the Palisades and Eaton firestorms.
“These steps will spur proactive actions to defend the most vulnerable homes and eliminate combustible material within five feet of homes to reduce the risk of a home igniting in an ember-driven fire,” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “These are important steps to limit wildland fires from becoming big urban fires.”
Plus, building on the already comprehensive work the state has done to deploy firefighting assets statewide, the Governor will direct his state emergency management and firefighting departments to work with local, federal and tribal partners on reviewing and proposing improvements to the federal resources dispatching system for wildfire response to ensure it can fulfill its purpose of supporting the rapid fulfillment of mutual aid requests during large-scale incidents.
In addition, the Governor will direct the CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal to release updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, adding 1.4 million new acres of land into the two higher tiers of fire severity, which will update building and local planning requirements for these communities statewide.
The Connection Between Drought and Wildfires
California has a long-standing battle with drought, which has grown increasingly severe due to climate change. Prolonged dry periods lead to dry landscapes filled with flammable vegetation. A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that California has experienced a 30% increase in drought frequency over the past 50 years.
Wildfires can also worsen drought conditions. The destruction of vegetation impacts local weather patterns, reducing precipitation and creating a vicious cycle. Communities that have experienced wildfires may find their drought situations become more critical, perpetuating the threat.
The Environmental Impact of Wildfires
Wildfires profoundly impact California's environment. Significant habitat loss occurs for countless species, many of which are endangered. Moreover, wildfires worsen air quality by releasing smoke and particulate matter, resulting in health hazards for nearby communities.
Soil erosion becomes a critical issue post-fire. Erosion can lead to sediment runoff that contaminates nearby water sources. Many ecosystems struggle to recover from wildfire damage, threatening biodiversity and overall environmental health.
Socioeconomic Consequences
The socioeconomic effects of wildfires in California are substantial.
Insurance costs: In 2021, homeowners facing wildfire risks saw increases of up to 50% in insurance premiums. Many homeowners were dropped by their insurance company, a few months before the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Economic impact: With many businesses forced to close or limit operations, local economies suffer. Estimates suggest that California's economy lost billions due to wildfires in the past two years alone. Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs have put a price tag on the January 2025 devastation: $30 billion
Job losses are also significant. Workers in agriculture and tourism frequently find their livelihoods at risk due to fire damage and smoke hazards. To tackle these challenges, a unified response from communities, governments, and organizations is vital.
The State's Investment in Fire Prevention
Overall, the state has more than doubled investments in wildfire prevention and landscape resilience efforts, providing more than $2.5 billion in wildfire resilience since 2020, with an additional $1.5 billion from the 2024 Climate Bond to be committed beginning this year for proactive projects that protect communities from wildfire and promote healthy natural landscapes. Of note, since 2021, the State has made strategic investments in at least 61 fuels reduction projects near the Palisades and Eaton fire perimeters through projects treated over 14,500 acres.
The Newsom Administration has invested $2 billion to support CAL FIRE operations, a 47% increase since 2018, which has helped build CAL FIRE from 5,829 positions to 10,741 in that same period, and the Administration is now implementing shorter workweeks for state firefighters to prioritize firefighter well-being while adding 2,400 additional state firefighters to CAL FIRE’s ranks over the next five years.
The Newsom Administration has also overseen the expansion of California’s aerial firefighting fleet, including the addition of more than 16 helicopters with several equipped for night operations, expanded five helitack bases, and assumed ownership of seven C-130 air tankers, making it the largest fleet of its kind globally.
California is also leveraging AI-powered tools to spot fires quicker, has deployed the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) to provide real-time mapping of wildfires, and has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to use satellites for wildfire detection and invested in LiDAR technology to create detailed 3D maps of high-risk areas, helping firefighters better understand and navigate complex terrains.
In anticipation of severe fire weather conditions in early January 2025, Cal OES approved the prepositioning of 65 fire engines, as well as more than 120 additional firefighting resources and personnel in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, and CAL FIRE moved firefighting resources to Southern California including 45 additional engines and six hand crews to the region.
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