As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as “Zone 0.”
I get it, but I wouldn’t want the existence of my house to depend on my neighbor’s grounds keeping skills and fidelity. Or even more realistically, their house depending on mine.
Or on whether there’s a drought and watering shrubs is allowed