Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Yet, many homes and buildings are still constructed with outdated, vulnerable materials like wood framing, which puts lives, property, and communities at risk.

• Wood framing is highly flammable, contributing to the rapid spread of wildfires and putting firefighters and residents in danger.

• Wood is susceptible to rot, termites, and moisture damage, leading to costly repairs and unsafe living conditions.

• Steel framing is non-combustible, durable, and disaster-resistant, making it a safer, more sustainable alternative.

1. Update Building Codes: Require the use of hazard-resistant materials like steel framing in all new construction, especially in disaster-prone areas.

2. Incentivize Sustainable Building: Offer tax credits and financial incentives to builders and homeowners who choose eco-friendly, disaster-resilient materials.

3. Educate Communities: Fund programs to raise awareness about the benefits of steel framing and other hazard-resistant construction practices.

• Protect Lives: Ensure homes and buildings are safe from natural disasters.

• Preserve the Planet: Reduce deforestation and promote sustainable construction practices.

• Build Resilience: Create communities that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate.

Together, we can revolutionize construction and create a safer, more sustainable future.

To: The Honorable Governor of California
Subject: Prioritize Safety and Resilience – Ban Rebuilding with Wood in Hazard-Prone Areas

Dear Governor Newsom,

We, the undersigned residents of the United States of America, urge you to prioritize public safety, environmental sustainability, and resilience by mandating the use of hazard-resistant materials in all rebuilding efforts across the state. This petition seeks to address the growing risks of wildfires, earthquakes, and extreme weather events by proposing the prohibition of wood as a primary construction material in hazard-prone areas.

The Need for Action

California is one of the most disaster-prone states in the U.S., with wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters posing significant risks to public safety and property. As climate change intensifies, these events are becoming more frequent and severe, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable.

Wildfire Risks

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported that in 2023 alone, over 600,000 acres burned in California, resulting in the destruction of thousands of homes and the displacement of countless families. Wood-based structures are highly combustible and accelerate the spread of fires, endangering lives and increasing property damage.

California Public Resources Code § 4291 mandates defensible space around buildings to reduce wildfire risks. While this law addresses external fire threats, it does not mitigate the vulnerability of wood-based structures themselves.

Earthquake Vulnerabilities

California sits atop major fault lines, including the San Andreas Fault, making seismic safety a critical concern. Structures built with wood often lack the durability to withstand high-magnitude earthquakes, leading to collapses that jeopardize lives and infrastructure.

The California Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 2) establishes minimum requirements for seismic safety. However, these standards often permit wood-frame construction, which is less resilient compared to modern, engineered materials like light gauge steel.

Climate and Environmental Considerations

Wood construction contributes to deforestation, which exacerbates climate change by reducing the Earth’s capacity to sequester carbon. Rebuilding with wood also perpetuates unsustainable cycles of construction and reconstruction, consuming resources and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Relevant Law: Assembly Bill 32 (2006), California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and further reductions thereafter. Encouraging non-combustible, sustainable materials aligns with these objectives by reducing the carbon footprint of construction activities.

The Proposed Solution

We propose a statewide mandate to phase out the use of wood as a primary construction material in hazard-prone areas, replacing it with modern, hazard-resistant alternatives like light gauge steel. This policy will:

1. Enhance Safety: By using non-combustible and seismically resilient materials, we can reduce the risk of structural failure during disasters.
2. Lower Costs: Durable materials reduce the need for frequent rebuilding, saving homeowners, insurance companies, and the state billions of dollars over time.
3. Protect the Environment: Promoting the use of recycled and sustainable materials will decrease deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting California’s environmental goals.

Recommended Materials

1. Fire-Resistant Composites: Materials like fiber cement and engineered stone provide excellent resistance to fire and high temperatures.
2. Light Gauge Steel and Concrete: These materials are non-combustible and offer superior strength for seismic and wind resistance.
3. Innovative Alternatives: Cross-laminated timber (treated to be fire-resistant), hempcrete, and other emerging technologies combine sustainability with durability.

Economic Considerations

Opponents of such measures may argue that modern materials are costlier than wood. However, the long-term financial benefits far outweigh the initial costs:

• Reduced Insurance Premiums: Homes built with hazard-resistant materials are less risky to insure, leading to lower premiums.
• Avoidance of Rebuilding Costs: Durable structures are less likely to require reconstruction after disasters.
• Tax Incentives: By offering tax credits for the use of sustainable materials, the state can offset the initial financial burden for homeowners and developers.

Federal Precedent for Incentives

The federal government has demonstrated support for sustainable building practices through programs like the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction (26 U.S. Code § 179D). A similar incentive structure can be applied at the state level to encourage the adoption of hazard-resistant materials.

Legal Framework for Implementation

The proposed mandate can be implemented through amendments to existing laws and the introduction of new legislation:

1. Amend Title 24 (California Building Standards Code): Update the code to prohibit wood as a primary material in hazard-prone areas and require the use of approved hazard-resistant materials.
2. Expand Public Resources Code § 4291: Include provisions that address the combustibility of building materials in addition to defensible space requirements.
3. Introduce a State Tax Credit Program: Provide financial incentives for homeowners and developers who use sustainable, hazard-resistant materials.

Why Now?

California is at a critical juncture. Each year, natural disasters inflict greater human, environmental, and financial losses. As the state continues to lead the nation in addressing climate change and disaster resilience, this policy represents an opportunity to reinforce that leadership.

Recent Examples of Urgent Need

• The 2025 Palisades and Eaton Fires destroyed over 15,000 structures in LA County, claiming 28 lives with homes framed from wood contributing to 95% of the fuel. 
• The 2020 Glass Fire destroyed over 1,500 structures in Napa and Sonoma counties, with wood homes fueling the blaze.
• The 2018 Camp Fire, California’s deadliest wildfire, claimed 85 lives and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures, many of which were wood-framed.
• The 2023 Ridgecrest Earthquake caused millions in damages, with older, wood-framed structures suffering significant destruction.

Our Specific Requests

We respectfully ask you, Governor Newsom, to:

1. Ban the Use of Wood in Hazard-Prone Areas: Introduce legislation prohibiting wood as a primary material in rebuilding projects in wildfire, earthquake, and flood zones.
2. Provide Tax Credits and Financial Incentives: Encourage homeowners and builders to adopt hazard-resistant materials through state-sponsored financial support.
3. Promote Research and Development: Invest in innovative building technologies that align with California’s environmental and safety goals.
4. Establish Public Education Campaigns: Inform residents and builders about the benefits of using hazard-resistant materials and the risks associated with wood construction.

Broader Implications

This initiative aligns with California’s broader policy goals, including:

• Climate Action Goals: By reducing deforestation and promoting sustainable materials, this policy supports the state’s climate change mitigation strategies outlined in AB 32.
• Public Safety Mandates: Enhancing building standards aligns with the California Constitution’s mandate to promote public health and safety.
• Economic Stability: Reducing disaster recovery costs strengthens California’s economy and preserves public resources for other critical needs.

Call to Action

We, the undersigned, urge you to act swiftly and decisively to protect the people of California from preventable losses caused by outdated building practices. By mandating the use of hazard-resistant materials, you can save lives, safeguard communities, and ensure a sustainable future for our state.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. Together, we can build a California that is not only safer but also a model for resilience and sustainability across the nation.

Sincerely,
Secure Structure Alliance Inc.
securestructure.org