California will require insurance companies to offer coverage in wildfire zones (at a cost to consumers)

[usonian]

2. You bring up some good points, but I don't have answers.

California's population is very concentrated into small areas, and not so much in the central valley.

There are smallish mountain ranges near the coast, but steep enough to be trouble (sirocco kinds of winds in So Cal) and I saw the devastation in the Oakland Hills.

Other areas push against foothills as they spread, though I do see a lot of development on "flatland" outside the hills.

I live in the Sierra Foothills, and despite the danger here (several fires were arson, sorry to say) I keep the area near my home very clear and made some firebreaks out of the scrub, large ones, actually. CalFire used to inspect often, but haven't visited in recent times.

CalFire provides lots of resources.
https://readyforwildfire.org/

Homes have been wrapped in foil during wildfires to protect them.

Others may have more to add.