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4w ago

California Completes Rollout of Updated Fire Hazard Maps, Expanding High-Risk Zones

New maps designate 35% more 'very high' fire hazard areas statewide, with over 440,000 additional acres added in Los Angeles County alone.

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Thousands of structures sit in ruins in Altadena, CA, on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. The Eaton Fire, fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, ripped through beginning on the evening of Jan. 7. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A screenshot of CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity zone fire map showing the Los Angeles area, with "Very High" risk areas are depicted in dark red, "High" in orange, and "Moderate" in yellow.
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Overview

  • Cal Fire has finalized the release of updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, marking the first major revision in over a decade.
  • The maps expand 'very high' fire hazard zones by 35% statewide and add more than 440,000 acres in Los Angeles County, a 30% increase in the highest severity category.
  • Local jurisdictions now have 120 days to review and adopt the maps, which will guide stricter building codes, defensible space requirements, and land-use decisions.
  • The updated maps incorporate advanced modeling and refined data, focusing on wildfire likelihood and behavior over a 30- to 50-year period.
  • Nearly 1 in 10 Californians now live in zones subject to heightened fire safety regulations, impacting property values, insurance, and home construction standards.