California officials debate stronger building limits as fires die down.

Oct. 29--Even as firefighters battled last week against the raging infernos encircling communities from the mountains to the sea, officials and experts were debating whether stronger local regulations would have averted the disaster.

While analyses after previous wildfires have led to construction of more fire-resistant homes, few communities have limited or prohibited development in high fire-risk areas.

New subdivisions continue to sprout near wind-blown canyons, while dream houses spring up in the brush-covered hills above Malibu and the forests of the San Bernardino Mountains.

"How much building are we going to allow to be done up against tinder-dry hillsides?" Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said in a telephone interview after touring fire-blackened communities with President Bush.

"Malibu has had fire after fire, and I think thought needs to be given to that."

While Feinstein was careful to add that fire victims should be allowed to rebuild, she advocates restricting new development in some locations.

At the very least, she said, tougher requirements should be imposed for broad fire buffers, and community wildfire plans in new subdivisions should be approved.