Calif. may toughen rules for homes at high risk

摘要

Years of increasingly deadly California wildfires spurred lawmakers to consider regulations today that wouldtoughen local governments' requirements for approving housing developments in high-risk areas.A state Senate committee voted 8-3 yesterday to advance a measure requiring developers to increase fireprotections, plan for evacuations, or prepare for residents who may need to ride out fires in safe areas.Local governments would also be required to try to make existing structures less likely to burn."While this is not exactly the sexiest stuff in the world, it is critically important if we are going to be prepared forthe next set of wildfires that run through our state, causing property damage and most importantly the loss oflife," said Democratic Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara.