Poway homeowners will need to clear combustible materials within five feet of their homes under new state wildfire regulations that the Poway Fire Department addressed at two workshops in early September.
The department hosted free Zone Zero Defensible Space workshops on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Poway City Council Chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive. The sessions covered how the new rules apply in Poway, where nearly 80% of the city's land area falls within the state's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, according to a February 2026 analysis by the Panish law firm citing updated CAL FIRE maps.
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection unanimously adopted the Zone Zero regulations on Aug. 19. The rules target the first five feet around homes and structures, an area also known as the ember-resistant zone. They are expected to take effect in late September, though the regulations must still clear review by the Office of Administrative Law and be published by the California Secretary of State.
What the rules require
Zone Zero bans combustible materials such as firewood, dead leaves and needles, mulch and wood chips within five feet of a home. All plants within one foot of the structure are prohibited. Wooden sheds in the zone and wooden fences attached to the house are also banned, according to the Los Angeles Times. Roofs and gutters must be kept clear of combustible debris.
Certain plants and trees are still allowed in the zone if properly maintained and meeting spacing and trimming requirements.
The rollout is phased. Phase 1, due within three years of adoption, requires removing combustible items, cleaning gutters and clearing dead plants. Phase 2, due within five years, covers under-eave safety zones, replacing combustible gates and making adjustments to sheds and fencing. New construction must comply as soon as the rules take effect.
Why it matters in Poway
Fire Chief Brian Mitchell told the Poway City Council on Sept. 1 that the city is equipped to handle the year-round wildfire threat but needs residents' help.
"Brush fires can turn into an urban conflagration," Mitchell said during the presentation, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Even though our operational capability has been enhanced, fires have become more deadly and destructive. We need help from the community so we're more resilient to wildfires and are safer."
Mitchell noted that embers can travel over a mile and urged residents to install proper attic screens, keep gutters clean, trim trees near structures and move vegetation at least five feet from buildings.
The city also announced on its Facebook page that registration for the workshops was appreciated but not required.
What to do now
Residents who missed the workshops can still take steps. The Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps and the Poway Fire Safe Council offer a free home ignition zone assessment program. Terri Sorensen, president of the Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps, said at Poway's Aug. 4 National Night Out event that fire department volunteers will "come out to a person's home and do a walkaround while taking pictures and notes. … Those will be added to a report with recommendations on how the homeowners can improve their fire resistance," as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.
More information on the assessment program is available at PowayNEC.com/HIZassessment.
Mitchell also encouraged residents to download the Alert San Diego and Genesys Protect apps for emergency notifications.
The Poway Fire Department is hosting free Basic Emergency Preparedness workshops on Saturday, Sept. 19 and Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the Poway City Council Chambers, covering wildfire safety, evacuation planning and earthquake preparedness. Registration details are available at poway.org/communityeducation.
