Joint Special Council/BFPD
06/3/25 06:00 PM
Barstow Fire Protection District
Cory Cisneros
Resolution
Doc ID: 6004
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
AGENDA MATTER:
FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BARSTOW
ADOPTING OF FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN THE LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Barstow Fire Protection District is being mandated to adopt a Fire Hazard Severity Zone within its Local Responsibility Area in support of the State Fire Marshal’s recommendation. This recommendation deems the Community in the lowest rating due to the criteria set forth by the State Fire Marshal.
DISCUSSION:
The State Fire Marshal identified areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread. The Barstow Fire Protection District has been identified as meeting the state minimum of a “Moderate” fire hazard severity zone.
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Designation
In September 2021, Senate Bill 63 was signed by Governor Newsom. Senate Bill 63 included an act to amend California Government Code Section 51178. The amendment was effective on January 1, 2022, and directed the State Fire Marshal to identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones (FHSZ) based on consistent statewide criteria and the severity of the fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. In addition, moderate, high, and very high FHSZs are based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors that have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread.
In September 2022, Assembly Bill 211 was signed by Governor Newsom. Assembly Bill 211 amended California Government Code Section 51179 and requires local agencies to designate, by ordinance, moderate, high, and very high FHSZs within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178. Further, section 51179, subdivision (b) prohibits local agencies from lowering the recommended designation of the State Fire Marshal, though local agencies have discretion to increase the designation.
In February 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal released the FHSZs in Local Responsibility Area map for review. The map is attached to this staff report and identifies moderate, high, and very high FHSZs within the City of Barstow. Staff reviewed the CALFIRE map and recommends adopting it without modification.
Environmental Review
City staff have evaluated the proposed Ordinance and determined that it is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), 15303, and 15308 on the grounds that it can be seen with certainty that the Ordinance will not have a significant effect on the environment. To the extent this is a project under CEQA, it is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Joint Special Council/BFPD
06/3/25 06:00 PM
Barstow Fire Protection District
Cory Cisneros
Resolution
Doc ID: 6004
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
Limitations), 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources), and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment).
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council approve the first reading of Ordinance No. ___-2025 regarding adoption of a fire hazard severity zones in Local Responsibility Area.