While the concern for wildfires is always prevalent in Northern California, the city of Auburn is taking a major preventative step.
"Our entire city is really exposed to a devastating fire, and we want to do everything we can to reduce the risk of our community burning," said Auburn Fire Chief Dave Spencer.
On Monday night, City Council voted unanimously to designate the city of Auburn a wildland urban interface area. This means that all new construction will have to adhere to wildfire preparedness codes.
"We're already at risk and exposed just from where we sit alone. And this, by bringing this code forward, really reinforces that we're doing everything we can to protect our community," stated Chief Spencer. "Based on the number of fires that we've had the last 50 years, [and] based on the topography and weather events - it's not about if it will happen; it's when it will happen."