Western states wrestle with new wildfire safety codes amid rising fire threats
States across the West are finding it difficult to adopt mandatory fire-resistant building standards and vegetation rules as wildfires become more severe.
After two separate blazes threatened his Spokane home, fire-protection engineer Dave Kokot highlighted the benefits of fire-resistant siding and cleared vegetation, prompting him to lobby Washington for mandatory safeguards. The state drafted new building codes and hazard maps, but legislators withdrew many requirements following opposition from conservation groups and homeowners. Oregon experienced comparable backlash, with fears that high-risk designations could trigger insurance cancellations and misinformation about vegetation limits.
California continues to lead with long-standing fire-resistant construction rules and is now considering tighter vegetation setbacks. Analysts argue that without coordinated statewide policies, the patchwork of regulations leaves large swaths of the West exposed to escalating wildfire danger.
Why it matters
Inconsistent fire safety rules increase the risk of property loss and strain firefighters as wildfires grow more frequent.
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