Arizona / West

Fire code part of forest report

PHOENIX - Gov. Janet Napolitano wants no new homes nestled in pine trees unless they meet tougher construction standards. The governor gave her blessing Monday to a 48-page report from her Forest Health Oversight Council. One of the key recommendations is adopting new fire codes that would require "ignition-resistant construction" for houses located in and around forests. While homes still could be built in pine forests, there would be limits on the number and placement of trees around new homes. Council members want the new state code in place as soon as possible. Enforcement would be left to local governments and fire districts. Some of the recommendations, such as a requirement that defensible space be cleared around new homes in fire-prone areas, were enacted last August by the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Earlier that summer, the Aspen fire wiped out 335 homes and businesses in Mount Lemmon's Summerhaven area. Other major provisions of the report include: * Expanding county planning authority to better manage growth of communities subject to fires, including limits on "wildcat" subdivisions. * Providing communities the authority to order property owners to remove vegetation, especially dead trees and brush, near buildings. * Requiring home sellers to disclose wildfire dangers to buyers. Bob Zimmerman, a Mount Lemmon Realtor and fire board member, said he supports the disclosure provision and the one giving counties authority to order vegetation removal. "This community is trying to become recognized as a firewise community and part of that is creating a defensible space," Zimmerman said. John Jones, a county consultant overseeing the Mount Lemmon post-fire rebuilding effort, said Napolitano has taken "a national position regarding fire protection." Napolitano's panel purposely sidestepped defining exactly what area around homes and communities would need protection. The panel opted to make that a local decision. Pima County's new code requires home builders in wildfire-prone areas to clear pine needles and leaves 30 to 100 feet from their cabins. The distance depends on how severe a property's fire hazard is. The new county codes, which also require fire-retardant building materials and 20-foot-wide street minimums, apply to Summerhaven and other areas where rural communities adjoin forested land. The governor's panel also wants the state Department of Commerce to try to get timber companies to locate in Arizona. That includes creating a market for small trees by requiring all new state buildings - including schools - to consider using wood pellets or wood chips for heat. Panelists also want lawmakers to provide a tax credit for homeowners who install and use wood pellet heat. Rep. Tom O'Halleran, R-Sedona, the panel's co-chairman, said this plan represents the best consensus of the 18-member panel. Some of the recommendations will require legislation.