F
or years, warnings have sounded about California's wildfire-prone areas. A 2019 report from a state climate task force highlighted the devastating impact of unchecked development in these regions: it was fueling more frequent and destructive wildfires by putting more people directly in their path. This concern has been echoed by environmentalists, urban planners, and policymakers for decades, yet developers have continued to push for growth in areas deemed "very high risk" for wildfires. The consequences are now starkly evident as many of these newly built homes lie in ruins.