LRA Legislation Factsheet - Flipbook combined - Flipbook - Page 10
FHSZ Frequently Asked Questions
LRA Questions
What is Local Responsibility Area or LRA?
Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) are incorporated ci琀椀es, urban regions, agriculture lands, and
por琀椀ons of the desert where the local government is responsible for wildfire protec琀椀on. This is
typically provided by city fire departments, fire protec琀椀on districts, coun琀椀es, and by CAL FIRE
under contract.
When did Fire Hazard Severity Zones begin in Local Responsibility Area?
Assembly Bill 337 (Bates, 1992) prompted by the devasta琀椀ng Oakland Hills Fire of 1991, calls for
CAL FIRE to evaluate fire hazard severity in Local Responsibility Area and to make a
recommenda琀椀on to the local jurisdic琀椀on where Very High FHSZ exist. Government Code 51175
then provides direc琀椀on for the local jurisdic琀椀on to take appropriate ac琀椀on.
How are Fire Hazard Severity Zones determined in Local Responsibility Areas?
CAL FIRE uses an extension of the State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone model as the
basis for evalua琀椀ng fire hazard in Local Responsibility Area. The Local Responsibility Area hazard
ra琀椀ng reflects flame and ember intrusion from adjacent wildlands and from flammable vegeta琀椀on
in the urban area.
What are the requirements for landowners in Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility
Areas?
California’s WUI building codes (CBC Chapter 7A) apply to the design and construc琀椀on of new
buildings located in High and Very High FHSZs in Local Responsibility Areas. Local ordinances may
require igni琀椀on resistant construc琀椀on for remodel projects. Check with your local building
department to determine which igni琀椀on resistant building codes apply to your project. In addi琀椀on,
Government Code Sec琀椀on 51182 calls for defensible space clearance and other wildland fire safety
prac琀椀ces for buildings. Owners are also required to make a natural hazard disclosure as part of a
real estate transfer. For informa琀椀on regarding home hardening and defensible space clearance,
visit www.readyforwildfire.org.
Does the designa琀椀on of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Area
trigger the 100-foot clearance requirement?
Yes, per Government Code 51182 unless a local government has passed a more stringent
requirement, the 100-foot defensible space clearance applies. For informa琀椀on regarding home
hardening and defensible space clearance, visit www.readyforwildfire.org.
