LRA Legislation Factsheet - Flipbook combined - Flipbook - Page 11
FHSZ Frequently Asked Questions
LRA Questions
What is the process for developing Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Area?
CAL FIRE uses the same modeling data that is used to map the State Responsibility Area. The
department works with local jurisdic琀椀ons for valida琀椀on of the mapping. The map, along with a
model ordinance, are then sent to the governing body for adop琀椀on.
How are the new Fire Hazard Severity Zones impac琀椀ng development?
Many of the changes expanding Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas have been
supported by the building industry. CAL FIRE works closely with the building industry when se琀�ng
various building codes and defensible space requirements, so we are working together to not
affect development itself but to make sure development matches the hazards of that area.
When will the Local Responsibility Area Map be released?
The Local Responsibility Area map process will happen a昀琀er the State Responsibility Area process
has been completed, which is es琀椀mated to occur in winter of 2024/25.
Why haven’t Moderate and High Fire Hazard Severity Zone classes been classified before in the
Local Responsibility Area?
New legisla琀椀on, Senate Bill 63 (Stern, 2021), now requires the adop琀椀on of all three Fire Hazard
Severity Zone classes in the Local Responsibility Area. Previously only Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones were required for adop琀椀on in Local Responsibility Areas.
What is the difference between the various Fire Hazard Severity Zones?
Classifica琀椀on outside of wildland areas is based on the fire hazard of the adjacent wildland and the
probability of flames and embers threatening buildings.
Why is my property in a different zone than the adjacent area, which looks similar?
In non-wildland areas, zone edges occur based on distance to the wildland edge. Because hazard in
these areas is largely determined by incoming embers from adjacent wildland, urban areas that are
similar in vegeta琀椀on type and housing density may have a change in FHSZ class as the distance to
the wildland edge increases. Areas immediately adjacent to wildland receive the same FHSZ score
as that wildland where fire originates, and the model then produces lower scores as the distance
to wildland edge increases.
