Kern County Fire Hazard Reduction Program

How it works

The Fire Hazard Reduction Program is a joint effort between the Kern County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Kern County Code Enforcement, and property owners to keep communities fire-safe. The department says the program is administered and enforced by fire department personnel under Kern County Ordinance Code 8.46.

What the service covers

The page describes defensible-space clearance requirements, annual inspections, citation review, and AB-38 defensible-space inspections for real estate transactions. It also says money collected from fines is used by the department to support fuel reduction projects such as fire road maintenance, fuel breaks, and hazard tree removal.

Timing and deadlines

Property owners in covered areas must complete fire hazard reduction clearance by June 1 each year before annual inspections. Inspections are typically done once a year after June 1, but a property can be inspected at any time if it is deemed hazardous.

Notes for homeowners

The page states that homeowners who cannot physically or financially do the work may be able to find assistance through programs in certain areas, and it directs people to their local fire safe council for current information. The department also says it does not currently abate cited properties for owners.

Real estate transactions

For homes in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, AB-38 requires documentation of a compliant Defensible Space Inspection when a property is sold. The page links to the inspection request process.