Photo: CalFire
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has released updated fire-hazard severity-zone maps for Southern California, marking the first update in over a decade. These new maps add more than 3.5 million acres to the state's hazard zones, with Los Angeles County alone seeing an increase of over 440,000 acres. The updated maps show a 30% rise in areas classified as having the highest fire severity.
The maps are part of Cal Fire's statewide rollout, which began two months ago and concluded on Monday. This update highlights the growing wildfire risk across the state, with high and very high hazard zones increasing by 168% since 2011. According to Yahoo News, these expanded zones now cover an area nearly twice the size of Delaware, affecting approximately 3.7 million Californians.
The maps categorize areas into different hazard levels using color codes, with each level imposing specific building codes and safety regulations. In high hazard zones, new homes must meet fire-resistant building standards, and sellers must disclose the elevated danger to potential buyers. Very high hazard zones require additional measures, such as maintaining a 100-foot defensible space around properties and designing new subdivisions with multiple evacuation routes.
Cal Fire's updates are based on factors like topography, climate, and vegetation patterns, which have been exacerbated by climate change and advancements in modeling technology. State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant explained that the maps aim to ensure that new communities are built to withstand the existing wildfire hazards.
The release of these maps coincides with increased public concern over wildfire risks and the state's fragile home insurance market. Los Angeles city and county now have approximately five months to gather public input, make necessary adjustments, and begin enforcing new fire-safety regulations within these expanded zones.
You can see the fire danger in your area by searching for your address on the map HERE.