California lawmakers have approved a program to help residents protect against wildfire damage, joining a handful of other states that are paying people to harden their homes.
The California program would give grants to homeowners for improvements such as installing fire-resistant roofs or clearing flammable material from a five-foot perimeter around buildings.
Supported by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the program is modeled after wind-protection efforts in Alabama and Louisiana. The states are giving thousands of homeowners up to $10,000 to install roofs that better withstand hurricanes and heavy storms — and that can lead to property insurance discounts.
The California bill, awaiting action by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), does not fund the grant program and leaves open how the state will raise money to give homeowners.
