Montebello officials briefed on new wildfire rules, "Zone 0" defensible‑space guidance

Montebello officials and residents heard a detailed public briefing on wildfire risk, new state building standards and neighborhood-level vegetation management Tuesday night as the city was identified in parts as a very high fire hazard severity zone.

Retired fire marshal Captain Rich Snyder, who led the presentation, said homeowners must combine vegetation management with “home hardening” to reduce risk from embers and radiant heat. “We are not going to be able to stop these fires, but we can keep them from destroying the homes,” Snyder said, summarizing the state’s approach of preventing structure ignitions rather than relying on suppression alone.

The presentation described three main ignition paths — direct flame contact, radiant heat and embers — and emphasized that embers can travel blocks and ignite mulch, vents and eaves even after the main fire front passes. Snyder highlighted recent test data from industry groups showing that the first 5 feet around a home is especially vulnerable; the state has introduced a new regulatory concept often referred to in the briefing as “Zone 0” targeting that area for reduced combustibles and ember‑resistant details.

Why it matters: The briefing warned that standard firefighting resources cannot protect densely built neighborhoods during extreme wind‑driven wildfires and that coordinated household and neighborhood mitigation reduces the chance of home loss. The new state guidance and code changes discussed will affect new construction standards and, over time, retrofit expectations for existing homes in very high fire hazard areas.

Supporting details: Snyder described vegetation and plant species that commonly increase risk (examples cited included Italian cypress, juniper and certain drought‑tolerant shrubs like rosemary and lavender when planted too close to structures). He demonstrated how embers in gutters, deck undersides and attic vents can smolder and later ignite buildings, and he urged retrofits such as ember‑resistant vents and screening for under‑deck areas.

Council members asked about outreach and enforcement. Councilmember Romero and Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo noted city efforts that have begun door‑to‑door outreach and neighborhood walk‑throughs in foothill areas and asked staff to continue community education and translation for non‑English speakers. City staff said outreach and coordination with property owners adjacent to hillsides — including a referenced walk with the Army Corps of Engineers and other stakeholders — are already underway.

The presentation also listed voluntary programs and certification pathways residents can pursue — for example, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) wildfire preparedness guidance and Department of Insurance materials mentioned during the briefing — and identified potential grant opportunities and the creation of a local Fire Safe Council as next steps.

Ending: Fire staff said additional community meetings and materials will follow; the council did not take immediate regulatory action at the meeting but directed staff to continue outreach and to prepare for anticipated changes to building and vegetation rules.