After the devastating wildfires in January, homeowners in Los Angeles are beginning the lengthy process of rebuilding their homes. Some are opting to construct homes designed to be more resistant to future wildfires. This trend is due to California's building codes, which mandate the use of fire-resistant materials in areas prone to wildfires.

However, many residents in Altadena, an urban area outside the state-designated wildfire zones, will rebuild without these materials. These areas are not yet subject to the stringent state wildfire building codes, although this will soon change for some.

Expanding Wildfire Zones and Code Requirements

California fire officials have recently unveiled updated wildfire risk maps that expand the zones where the state’s wildfire building codes will apply. The new maps highlight that fire risks are rising. The updates now classify an additional 1.4 million acres statewide as being at high or very high risk, areas for which local authorities are responsible.

For residents in Altadena, the aftermath of the Eaton Fire is especially relevant. The new maps will soon include more than 500 additional properties within the expanded wildfire building zones. Los Angeles County is required to implement these changes by late July, meaning that property owners in these newly designated zones will only have about four months before the stricter building codes go into effect.

This development is a rare case where a community strengthens its rebuilding regulations after a disaster, aiming to mitigate future destruction. Typically, governments loosen construction and permitting rules post-disaster to expedite rebuilding efforts.

The Importance of Fire-Resistant Materials

Studies indicate that fire-resistant construction significantly improves the chances of a home surviving a wildfire. Many of the materials needed to build such homes, like fiber cement siding, are readily available and do not add significant costs, making them a viable option for many homeowners.

However, even with the expanded wildfire zones, over 7,800 buildings in the Eaton Fire's impact zone are outside these areas and will not have to adhere to the wildfire building codes. Experts warn that Los Angeles is at a pivotal moment, as rebuilding decisions now will determine how well-prepared the city is for future wildfires. As wildfires grow more intense and spread faster due to climate change, rebuilding homes without these safeguards could leave the region vulnerable to even greater losses.

Kimiko Barrett, senior wildfire researcher at Headwaters Economics, underscores the importance of preparing for future risks: "If homes are being rebuilt, they should be built with wildfire in mind because unfortunately we do know that risks are increasing. History repeats itself. This will not be the only time that L.A. experiences a catastrophic wildfire."

Considering the Costs of Fire-Resistant Building

Patrick and Ruth Fong, whose Altadena home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, reflect on the emotional and financial challenges of rebuilding. Standing amid the ruins, they can still see remnants of their children's former lives. "This is the only house our kids remember," Ruth Fong says. "We were only able to recover some mugs and the kids' clay objects they made in art class at school."

The Fongs initially questioned whether to stay in Altadena after the fire, especially given that this was the second wildfire to hit their property. The first occurred in 1993 when the Kinneloa Fire destroyed the home. Patrick explains, "We had in our heads, we have to build it and sell it, because what if it happens again? All these terrible things we're thinking about."

However, after speaking with neighbors and a contractor, they are now considering using fire-resistant materials for their rebuild. Still, the added cost of these materials is a concern. "With fireproof construction, how much more is that going to be and how much can we really afford?" Patrick says. "Because we're already maxing out our policy."

The Future of Wildfire-Resistant Building Codes

At present, only properties in designated high-risk wildfire zones are required to use fire-resistant materials, and many areas in Altadena remain outside those zones. These hazard zones are established by California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and play a central role in wildfire mitigation policies.

However, as wildfire risks increase, the state has updated its maps to reflect more realistic fire conditions, such as high wind speeds that fuel large-scale infernos. Under the new regulations, the wildfire building codes will apply to properties in newly expanded high-risk areas, and Los Angeles County is expected to adopt these updates by late July.

By 2026, the regulations will be expanded further, encompassing properties in the "high" risk category. This will apply to around 1,000 additional homes in the Eaton Fire zone if building permits are approved next year.

Despite these changes, many homes destroyed in the Eaton Fire will not have to comply with the new standards, since the fire maps currently focus on wildfire risks from natural areas and do not account for fires that spread between homes.

Navigating the Costs and Benefits

The expanded wildfire maps have left some residents in Altadena worried about the financial implications. "Some people I see rushing to decide what their rebuild is before that map comes out, which puts into question whether they're thinking about the community or their bottom line," says Nic Arnzen, a member of the Altadena Town Council.

The benefits of using fire-resistant materials are clear. Homes built with California's building codes have a 40% higher chance of surviving a wildfire, and implementing these codes could save billions in damages over time. "These are often materials commonly used on the market, widely available," Barrett says. "Things like asphalt roofs. Things like Hardie plank fiber cement siding. Very, very common, very affordable."

However, the added costs of fire-resistant construction can run into the thousands of dollars, with more expensive options pushing the cost by as much as 13% of the total construction cost. Some homeowners may find that their insurance policy covers these additional costs, though not all policies do.

To help alleviate the financial burden, Los Angeles County officials are exploring grant opportunities for homeowners who may struggle with the extra costs of fireproofing their homes. Supervisor Kathryn Barger says, "One of the commitments I've made is looking at grant opportunities to see where we can allow people to apply that may not be able to afford it, to harden or do things that would benefit in case of future fires, and see how we can offset the cost."

Looking Toward a More Resilient Future

Given Los Angeles’ history of frequent wildfires, the city has long recognized the vulnerability of its neighborhoods. While many homeowners may choose not to follow the wildfire building codes, especially if they aren’t required to, some are already advocating for stricter standards in the future.

Amy Bodek, director of regional planning for Los Angeles County, explains, "Even if they're not going to have to comply, we're going to be strongly encouraging it for future resiliency. We've been on this trajectory to look at long-range plans that will prevent future disasters from affecting so many people. We're certainly not going to prevent the disasters, but how can we minimize strategically the harm to individuals and properties?"

In Altadena, officials are aiming for a safer, more resilient community by burying electric power lines to reduce the risk of wildfires sparked by utility infrastructure. "We have an opportunity to show people how to create a community that can live in peace and harmony with the natural disasters around them," says Arnzen. "I don’t want to waste the opportunity."

Originally reported by Lauren Sommer in NPR.