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EXPLAINER | Why is home protection important in wildfires?

Fire managers say it’s crucial to increase the fire resistance of homes and the area immediately around them.
Credit: AP
In this Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 photo, residences leveled by the Camp Fire line a neighborhood in Paradise, Calif. Wildfires have destroyed nearly 50,000 homes in California alone in the last five years. While much attention is focused on managing overgrown forests, fire managers say it’s equally crucial to increase the fire resistance of homes and the area immediately around them, known as “defensible space.” (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Wildfires have destroyed nearly 50,000 homes in California alone in the last five years, and scientists say global warming is only making things worse.

Much attention has focused on managing overgrown forests. But fire managers say it’s equally crucial to increase the fire resistance of homes and the area immediately around them.

That's known as creating defensible space. It gives firefighters a better chance of defending a home. 

A California legislative analysis on Thursday called it a key way to limit wildfires' destructiveness but said there should be better state and local enforcement to make sure homeowners in fire-prone areas comply.

Read full story from Associated Press HERE.

WATCH MORE ON ABC10: Stanislaus firefighter released from hospital after Caldor Fire injuries and more | Sept. 30, 2021

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