California's fire safety landscape is about to undergo a major transformation as Cal Fire prepares to release updated fire hazard severity zone maps, marking the first such update in over a decade for locally managed areas.
The new mapping initiative will more than double the acreage subject to stringent fire safety building codes in areas managed by local fire departments. Currently, about 800,000 acres are designated as "very high" hazard zones. The update will add 247,000 acres to this category and introduce 1.16 million acres under a new "high" hazard classification.
This expansion comes following 2021 state legislation requiring Cal Fire to include "high" hazard zones in its mapping, extending building regulations beyond just the "very high" risk areas. The agency will also map "moderate" hazard zones, though these typically face fewer regulatory requirements.
The maps will be released in phases across California:
- Inland Northern California: Starting February 12
- Coastal Northern California: February 24
- Central Coast and Central Valley: March 10
- Southern California: March 24
Local jurisdictions will have four months to implement the maps and enforce enhanced safety regulations. While they can expand hazard areas or ratings, they cannot reduce them.
The new designations trigger various building requirements for new construction and major renovations, including:
- Use of ignition-resistant materials
- Installation of protective vent covers
- Fire-resistant or multi-paned windows
The 2021 legislation also requires local governments to factor fire hazards into community planning, considering evacuation routes, water supply capacity during emergencies, and strategic placement of essential facilities like hospitals.
While Cal Fire acknowledges some limitations in its modeling approach, particularly highlighted by recent fire events, the agency has incorporated more detailed climate and extreme-weather data in these updates. The department plans to revise these maps approximately every five years moving forward.