State fire officials have released the first fire hazard maps for Southern California in 14 years, outlining where wildfires are most likely to occur in the coming decades.
The maps, published Monday, come after the ashes have cooled on the January wildfires around the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, which burned more than 12,000 homes, highlighting the urgency of wildfire preparedness, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.
The maps, developed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Cal Fire, project the probability of wildfires across eight counties over the next 30 to 50 years.
They also indicate where stricter fire-resistant building codes apply and where residents must adhere to brush clearance regulations. Local governments can use the maps to guide planning decisions.
“I see them as an educational tool to let people know the potential hazards in an area,” Brad Weisshaupt, assistant fire chief for Los Angeles County, told reporters from the Orange County Register and Riverside Press-Enteprise. “[It can] help inform decisions when working on their house and what they plant around their house.”
The maps cover parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Mono and Inyo counties, where local fire departments oversee fire protection. They supplement maps released earlier this year for Northern and Central California.
Compared to the previous maps, released between 2007 and 2011, the new versions categorize areas into three fire hazard levels: moderate, high and very-high. These classifications are based on factors such as vegetation, terrain, fire history and local weather conditions.
Homeowners in high and very-high fire zones will face increased responsibilities.
State building codes require fire-resistant roofs, double-pane windows and ember-resistant vents in newly constructed homes. Landscaping rules mandate the maintenance of “defensible space” within 100 feet of structures, with strict vegetation control within 30 feet.
Some communities, including Los Angeles and Orange counties, conduct annual brush inspections, with non-compliance resulting in fines of up to $500.
Additionally, real estate laws require sellers to disclose if a property is in a high-risk fire zone and confirm compliance with defensible space regulations. The state Board of Forestry is also drafting new regulations to create an ember-free “Zone 0” within 5 feet of structures, prohibiting flammable materials like wooden gates and bark mulch.
The revised maps show a statewide increase in high-risk fire zones, to 1.4 million acres from 800,000 acres. However, insurance rates are unlikely to be affected, as most insurers rely on their own risk assessments.
Officials hope the updates will enhance wildfire awareness and encourage proactive measures to mitigate fire risks.
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