The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has released updated fire-hazard maps for Los Angeles County, marking the first update in over ten years. This new mapping adds more than 440,000 acres to the county’s fire hazard zones. Notably, areas classified in the highest severity rating, "very high," have increased by 30%.
This rollout, which covers all of Southern California, concludes a two-month statewide effort by Cal Fire. Local governments in Los Angeles City and County now have about five months to gather public feedback, make necessary changes, and implement stricter fire safety regulations in these newly designated areas.
The updated maps are significant because they include not only the "very high" zones but also "high" and "moderate" zones. Previously, Cal Fire only mapped the most severe areas. The Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department will be responsible for responding to fires in these local responsibility areas.
In the city of Los Angeles, the acreage in the "very high" zone has increased by 7%. When combined with the new "moderate" and "high" zones, the total area classified as a fire hazard has grown by 24%. In contrast, unincorporated areas of L.A. County, which include regions like Altadena and parts of Santa Clarita, have seen their "very high" zone acreage more than triple. These areas are more vulnerable to fire due to their proximity to wildlands.
Rep. George Whitesides highlighted the urgency of addressing the ongoing wildfire crisis in California, emphasizing the need for swift action to protect communities and ensure that insurance markets are accessible.
The new maps reveal that California now has more acres classified as "very high" fire hazard zones than ever before. The total for local responsibility areas has reached 6.8 million acres, with "very high" zones expanding by 35% to nearly 1.2 million acres. The maps also show that 1.2 million acres are now in "high" zones, and 4.5 million acres are in "moderate" zones.
These fire hazard severity maps are referenced in over 50 sections of California law. They require homeowners in "high" and "very high" zones to adhere to fire-safe building codes. This includes installing multi-pane windows and ensuring that vents are covered to prevent embers from entering homes. Additionally, homeowners in "very high" zones must maintain defensible space around their properties and disclose their home’s fire hazard status when selling.
Local governments in these heightened severity zones are also required to routinely review evacuation routes and prepare for potential stress on water supplies during disasters. They must consider locating essential public facilities outside of high-risk areas whenever possible.
Despite the improvements in mapping, some areas remain underrepresented. For example, Altadena has largely been left unzoned, suggesting a lower hazard than "moderate." This has raised concerns, especially after recent fires, where many properties within the fire perimeter were not classified as "very high" risk, according to Cal Fire’s assessments.
Cal Fire’s models consider vegetation, terrain, climate, and weather patterns to determine fire risk. However, they do not fully predict how wildfires might spread into urban areas. An independent assessment indicated that a significant percentage of homes in affected areas were at a higher risk than Cal Fire’s maps suggested.
As local jurisdictions work to implement these new maps, they have 120 days to gather public input and finalize ordinances. These ordinances typically take effect about 30 days after their issuance, at which point the new fire safety regulations will apply.
The updated fire hazard maps are a crucial step in addressing fire safety in California, especially as the state continues to grapple with the realities of climate change and urban development in fire-prone areas.