DATE: 10/20/2025
TO: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
FROM: Planning and Development Department
2025-408
APPLICATION REQUEST:
GPA2025-0002: General Plan Amendment to update the Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone map in the Public Safety Element to be consistent with the fire hazard severity zones map issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. (Applicant: City of Corona Fire Department) RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the Planning and Housing Commission recommend APPROVAL of GPA2025-0002 to the City Council based on the findings contained in the staff report, find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), and adopt Resolution No. 2674 granting GPA2025-0002 as part of Cycle 3 of General Plan Amendments for 2025.
BACKGROUND
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is responsible for identifying Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) throughout California. These zones are categorized as Moderate, High, or Very High based on consistent statewide criteria and the expected fire hazard levels in those areas, as required by Government Code 51178. The different severity zones are based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the OSFM as a major cause of wildfire spread.
Local Implementation
Chapter 15.16 of the Corona Municipal Code (CMC) governs the City’s regulations for FHSZs.
This chapter was first adopted in 2010 in accordance with the requirements established by Assembly Bill 337, which was enacted by 1992.
On March 24, 2025, the OSFM released an updated FHSZ map for the City of Corona (Exhibit 2). This map identifies the Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs) within Corona – areas for which the City is primarily responsible for providing wildfire protection. The LRAs are divided into three categories: Moderate, High, or Very High. According to CAL FIRE, the updated map incorporates new scientific data, including member spread patterns and localized climate information, providing a more accurate representation of the areas within the City that are susceptible to wildfire. In addition, the updated map includes designations for Moderate and High zones within the City whereas the previous version only included the designation for Very High.
Government Code Section 51179 requires local jurisdictions such as the City of Corona to designate, by ordinance, the moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones within 120 days of receiving the updated FHSZ map from the OSFM. On May 14, 2025, the Corona Fire Department held a community meeting on the updated FHSZ map for the city. On June 4, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3418, amending Chapter 15.16 of the CMC to adopt the updated FHSZ map issued by the OSFM. The updated map went into effect July 4, 2025. The ordinance is attached as Exhibit 3.
General Plan
The City’s 2020-2040 General Plan was adopted by the City Council on June 3, 2020. The General Plan includes a Public Safety Element, which contains the FHSZ map under Figure PS-11. The version currently in the General Plan was in effect at the time of the General Plan’s adoption and must be updated to reflect the version recently issued by the OSFM and adopted by the City Council.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
GPA2025-0002 is an amendment to the General Plan to update the Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones map (Figure PS-11 of the General Plan) in the Public Safety Element. Exhibit 4 shows the existing map, and Exhibit 5 shows the updated map that will replace the existing map.
The updated map identifies the Moderate (yellow), High (orange), and Very High (red) fire hazard zones within the City’s boundaries, as well as areas outside the boundaries located within the City’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) areas, which include Coronita, Home Gardens, El Cerrito, Temescal Valley, Eagle Valley, and a few other smaller pockets of unincorporated land.
In addition, the updated map distinguishes among the different agencies that have primary responsibility for wildfire protection:
• Local Responsibility Areas – Local Agency (City of Corona) • State Responsibility Areas – State of California
• Federal Responsibility Areas – Federal Government
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
This General Plan Amendment is exempted from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, the “common sense” exemption. This exemption applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed General Plan Amendment (GPA2025-0002) qualifies, as it merely replaces the existing fire hazard severity zones map (Figure PS-11 of the Corona General Plan) with the updated map issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal on March 24, 2025, and adopted by the Corona City Council on June 4, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this General Plan Amendment will not have a financial impact.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENTS
A 10-day public notice was advertised in the Sentinel Weekly News as required by California Government Code Section 65353. No public outreach in addition to the outreach that was done before the adoption of Ordinance 3418 is required. As of the preparation of this report, the Planning and Development Department has not received any correspondence from the public in response to the General Plan Amendment.
STAFF ANALYSIS
To ensure consistency between local regulations (Chapter 15.16 of the CMC) and the City’s long-range planning documents, GPA2025-0002 updates Figure PS-11 in the Public Safety Element of the General Plan to incorporate the newly adopted FHSZ map. This amendment maintains alignment with state law, ensures the General Plan reflects the most current hazard mapping, and provides Corona Fire personnel as well as the community with clear and updated information on wildfire hazard areas. Therefore, this General Plan Amendment is recommended for approval by the Planning and Housing Commission.
FINDINGS FOR THE APPROVAL OF GPA2025-0002
1. GPA2025-0002 is exempted from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, the “common sense” exemption. This exemption applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed project (GPA2025-0002) qualifies, as it merely replaces the existing fire hazard severity zones map in the Corona General Plan with the updated map issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal on March 24, 2025, and adopted by Ordinance 3418 of the Corona City Council on June 4, 2025.
2. GPA2025-0002 is in the public interest and would not be detrimental to public health, safety and welfare, as it ensures the General Plan reflects the most current wildfire hazard data available from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. This amendment enhances public safety by improving the City’s ability to plan for, prevent, and respond to wildfire hazards, thereby protecting residents, property, and natural resources.
3. GPA2025-0002 is internally consistent with the elements of the General Plan, including the goals and policies stated therein for the following reasons:
a. The amendment is consistent with the purpose of the Public Safety Element of the General Plan, which is to protect the health and safety of the residents, businesses, institutions and visitors as well as property and natural resources from hazards. By incorporating the most current FHSZ map from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the updated map enhances the City’s ability to plan for, prevent, and respond to wildfire hazards. This ensures that the General Plan continues to guide land use, development and emergency preparedness in a manner that promotes public safety and reduces the potential for loss or damage due to wildfire.
b. The amendment to the FHSZ map in the General Plan is consistent with General Plan Policy PS-8.9 to “continue to monitor and adhere to the latest changes in state legislation and guidelines with respect to fire planning, prevention, and suppression.” The updated FHSZ map was issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal in 2025 pursuant to Government Code Section 51179 and reflects the most current scientific data regarding wildfire risk. By incorporating the updated map into Figure PS-11 of the Public Safety Element, the City ensures that the General Plan remains aligned with current state legislation and guidance, thereby supporting proactive fire planning, prevention, and suppression efforts.
PREPARED BY: SANDRA VANIAN, PLANNING MANAGER
SUBMITTED BY: JOANNE COLETTA, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Exhibits:
1. Resolution No. 2674
2. City of Corona, Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones, March 24, 2025
3. Ordinance No. 3418, adopted June 4, 2025
4. Existing General Plan Figure PS-11, Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map
5. Proposed General Plan Figure PS-11, Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map
6. Environmental documentation
RESOLUTION NO. 2674
APPLICATION NUMBER: GPA2025-0002
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND HOUSING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CORONA, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO UPDATE
THE WILDFIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP IN THE
PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE
FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES MAP ISSUED BY THE
OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, AS PART OF
CYCLE 3 FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS 2025.
(APPLICANT: CITY OF CORONA FIRE DEPARTMENT)
WHEREAS, the Planning and Housing Commission of the City of Corona initiated proceedings through General Plan Amendment 2025-0002 (GPA2025-0002) to consider updating the Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone map in the Public Safety Element to be consistent with the fire hazard severity zones map issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Housing Commission held a noticed public hearing for GPA2025-0002 on October 20, 2025 as required by law, and WHEREAS, the Planning and Housing Commission after close of the public hearing considered all of the evidence presented in its deliberations; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Housing Commission, by the majority, approved GPA2025-0002 in accordance with the analysis and findings in the staff report; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Housing Commission finds GPA2025-0002 as it relates to updating the Public Safety Element of the General Plan exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines and Section 3.06 of the City of Corona Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, which states that a project is exempted from CEQA when it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING AND
HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CORONA, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. CEQA Findings. As the decision-making body for this GPA2025- RESOLUTION NO. 2674
APPLICATION NO. GPA2025-0002
PAGE | 2
0002 the Planning and Housing Commission finds GPA2025-0002 exempted from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the “common sense” exemption. This exemption applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed General Plan Amendment (GPA2025- 0002) qualifies, as it merely replaces the existing fire hazard severity zones map (Figure PS-11 of the Corona General Plan) with the updated map issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal on March 24, 2025, and adopted by the Corona City Council on June 4, 2025.
SECTION 2. Findings. GPA2025-0002 is internally consistent with the elements of the General Plan, including the goals and policies stated therein for the following reasons:
1. GPA2025-0002 is exempted from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, the “common sense” exemption.
This exemption applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed project (GPA2025- 0002) qualifies, as it merely replaces the existing fire hazard severity zones map in the Corona General Plan with the updated map issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal on March 24, 2025, and adopted by Ordinance No. 3418 of the Corona City Council on June 4, 2025.
2. GPA2025-0002 is in the public interest and would not be detrimental to public health, safety and welfare, as it ensures the General Plan reflects the most current wildfire hazard data available from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. This amendment enhances public safety by improving the City’s ability to plan for, prevent, and respond to wildfire hazards, thereby protecting residents, property, and natural resources.
3. GPA2025-0002 is internally consistent with the elements of the General Plan, including the goals and policies stated therein for the following reasons:
a. The amendment is consistent with the purpose of the Public Safety Element of the General Plan, which is to protect the health and safety of the residents, businesses, institutions and visitors as well as property and natural resources from hazards. By incorporating the most current Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) map from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the updated map enhances the City’s ability to plan for, prevent, and respond to wildfire hazards. This ensures that the General Plan continues to guide land use, development and emergency preparedness in a manner that promotes public safety and reduces the potential for loss or damage due to wildfire.
b. The amendment to the FHSZ map in the General Plan is consistent with General Plan Policy PS-8.9 to “continue to monitor and adhere to the latest changes in state legislation and guidelines with respect to fire planning, prevention, and suppression.” The updated FHSZ map was issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal in 2025 pursuant to Government Code Section 51179 and reflects the most current scientific data regarding wildfire risk. By incorporating the updated map into Figure PS-11 of the Public Safety Element, the City ensures that the General RESOLUTION NO. 2674
APPLICATION NO. GPA2025-0002
PAGE | 3
Plan remains aligned with current state legislation and guidance, thereby supporting proactive fire planning, prevention, and suppression efforts.
THAT THE COMMISSION passes and adopts Resolution No. 2674 approving the General Plan Amendment granted in accordance with Exhibit 5 of the staff report for GPA2025- 0002; and
THAT THE COMMISSION recommends to the City Council that it approve such General Plan Amendment as part of Cycle 3 for General Plan Amendments 2025.
RESOLUTION NO. 2674
APPLICATION NO. GPA2025-0002
PAGE | 4
Adopted this 20th day of October, 2025
Sarah Longwell, Chair
Planning and Housing Commission
City of Corona, California
ATTEST:
Belinda Capilla
Secretary, Planning and Housing Commission
City of Corona, California
I, Belinda Capilla, Secretary to the Planning and Housing Commission of the City of Corona, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted in an adjourned regular session of said Planning and Housing Commission duly called and held on the 20th day of October, 2025, and was duly passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
_________________________________
Belinda Capilla
Secretary, Planning and Housing Commission
City of Corona, California
City and County boundaries as of 10/22/24 (CA Board of Equalization) CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas (SRA25_1)
CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZSRA23_3, FHSZLRA_25_1) Data Sources:
Daniel Berlant, State Fire Marshal, CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Joe Tyler, Director/Fire Chief, CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources, CA Natural Resources Agency The State of California and the Department of Forestry and Fire Gavin Newsom, Governor, State of California Protection make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data or maps. Neither the State nor the Department shall be liable under any circumstances for any direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages with respect to any claim by any user or third party on account of, or arising from, the use of data or maps. 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.
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, Government Code section 51178 requires the State Fire
Marshal to identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent Waterbody
Federal Responsibility
Area (FRA)
Unzoned LRA
Incorporated City
Projection: NAD 83 California Teale Albers
Scale: 1:74,000 at 11" x 17"
Km 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mi 0 1 2 3
Very High High Moderate
Very High High Moderate
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in Local Responsibility Area (LRA), as Identified by the State Fire Marshal
Corona
15 91
UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE CO.
UNINCORPORATED
RIVERSIDE CO.
UNINCORPORATED
RIVERSIDE CO.
ANAHEIM
CHINO
CHINO HILLS
EASTVALE
NORCO
RIVERSIDE
O R A N G E C O .
R I V E R S I D E C O .
R I V E R S I D E C O .
S A N B E R N A R D I N O
C O .
March 24, 2025
As Identified by the
State Fire Marshal
Local Responsibility Area
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
CITY OF CORONA – RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility
Area (SRA), Effective April 1, 2024
PUBLIC SAFETY
CORONA GENERAL PLAN 2020-2040 | PS-43
Figure PS-11
Wildfire Hazard
Severity Zones
RIVER RD
D ST
BUCHANAN ST
RAILROAD ST
CORYDON AV
SECOND ST
HIDDEN VALLEY PY
E GRAND BL
W GRAND BL
TABER RD
SERFAS CLUB DR
TAYLOR AV
CRESTA RD
VIA
PACIFICA
S
LINCO
L
N
AV
MASTERS DR
W OLIVE ST
GARRETSON AV
AUBURNDALE ST
VILLAGE LOOP DR
PASEO GRANDE
S SMITH AV
TEMESCAL CANYON RD
N MCKINLEY ST
DOS LAGOS DR
E ONTARIO AV
BEDFORD CANYON RD
E UPPER DR
KELLOGG AV
AVENIDA DEL VISTA
CALIFO
R
NIA
AV
SAMPSON AV
GREEN RIVER RD
CORYDON ST
CITRUS WY
N SHERMAN AV
PROMENADE AV
OLD TEMESCAL RD
BORDER AV
VALENCIA RD
N
PARKRIDGE AV
W TENTH ST
N SMITH AV
PARKVIEW DR
N MAPLE ST
S BUENA VISTA AV
E PARKRIDGE AV
W EIGHTH ST
S BELLE AV
E SIXTH ST
S VICTORIA AV
S MAIN ST
E THIRD ST
E OLIVE ST
HIGHGROVE ST
W SIXTH ST
N MAIN ST
MONTANA RANCH RD
W MAPLE ST
RIDGELINE DR
MONTOYA DR
EL CERRITO RD
N
LI
N
COLN
AV
MANGULAR AV
S MAPLE ST
E HARRISON ST
EAGLE GLEN PY
RETREAT PY
VIA SANTIAGO
COLLETT AV
N COTA ST
POMONA RD
PICO ST
N JOY ST
W PARKRIDGE AV
SANTANA
W
WY
FOOTHILL PY
E RINCON ST
E FOOTHILL PY
OAKRIDGE DR KIRKWOOD DR
W
ONTA
RIO
AV
W UPPER DR
VIA DEL RIO
MAGNOLIA AV
W RINCON ST
N SHERIDAN ST
RADIO RD
CAJALCO RD
S VICENTIA AV
QUARRY ST
S
PROMENADE AV
EL CAMINO AV
RIMPAU AV
MOUNTAIN GATE DR
BUTTERFIELD DR
GRIFFIN WY
FULLERTON AV
FIRST ST
AUTO CENTER DR
W CITRON ST
E BLAINE ST
NORCO
HILLS RD
CIRCLE
CITY DR
EL SOBRANTE RD
PALISADES DR
KNABE RD
COMPTON AV
71 15
15 91
Note: Zones based on factors such
as fuel (material that can burn),
slope and fire weather.
Local Responsibility Area (LRA):
Local agencies have the primary
financial responsibility for the
prevention and suppression of
wildland fires.
State Responsibility Area (SRA):
The State of California has the
primary financial responsibility for
the prevention and suppression of
wildland fires.
Federal Responsibility Area:
Federal Government has the
primary financial responsibility for
the prevention and suppression of
wildland fires.
Sphere of Influence Areas
City Boundary
State Responsibility Area
Local Responsibility Area
Federal Responsibility Area
Responsibility Areas
Very High
Moderate
High
Fire Hazard Zone
Figure PS-11
Wildfire Hazard
Severity Zones
City of Corona
Geographic Information Services
Created on: October 2025 0 0.5 1 2
Miles N MCKINLEY ST
E ONTARIO AV
TABER RD
MASTERS DR
DOS LAGOS DR
E FOOTHILL PY
BEDFORD
CANYON RD
E SIXTH ST
OLD TEMESCAL RD
EL CERRITO RD
EAGLE GLEN PY
RETREAT PY
PICO ST
MAGNOLIA AV
CAJALCO RD
S PROMENADE AV
SAMPSON
AV
EL CAMINO AV
TEMESCAL CANYON RD
KNABE RD
COMPTON AV
* SOUTH & EAST CORONA
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
Notice of Exemption FORM “A”
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
TO:
☐ Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
P. O. Box 3044, Room 113
Sacramento, CA 95812-3044
Submitted online via:
https://ceqasubmit.lci.ca.gov/
FROM:
(Public
Agency)
Name: City of Corona
Address: 400 S. Vicentia Ave. Corona,
CA 92882
Telephone: 951-736-2201
☐ Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
or
County Clerk (Include County name)
Address: P.O. Box 751, Riverside, CA 92502-
0751
Submitted via email:
1. Project Title: GPA2025-0002
2. Project Applicant: City of Corona Fire Department
3. Project Location – Identify street address and cross streets or attach a map showing project site
(preferably a USGS 15’ or 7 1/2’ topographical map
identified by quadrangle name):
City-wide
4. (a) Project Location – City: City (b) Project Location – County: Riverside County
5. Description of nature, purpose, and beneficiaries of Project:
General Plan Amendment to update Figure PS-11
(Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone map) in the Public Safety Element of the Corona General Plan to be consistent with the fire hazard severity zones map issued by the Office of the State Marshal, ensuring consistency with state law.
6. Name of Public Agency approving project: City of Corona
7. Name of Person or Agency undertaking the project,
including any person undertaking an activity that
receives financial assistance from the Public Agency
as part of the activity or the person receiving a lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement of use from the Public Agency as part of the activity:
City of Corona
8. Exempt status: (check one)
Notice of Exemption FORM “A”
(a) ☐ Ministerial project. (Pub. Resources Code § 21080(b)(1); State CEQA Guidelines § 15268)
(b) ☐ Not a project.
(c) ☐ Emergency Project. (Pub. Resources Code § 21080(b)(4); State CEQA Guidelines § 15269(b),(c))
(d) ☐ Categorical Exemption.
State type and section number:
(e) ☐ Declared Emergency. (Pub. Resources Code § 21080(b)(3); State CEQA Guidelines § 15269(a))
(f) ☐ Statutory Exemption.
State Code section number:
(g) ☒ Other. Explanation: The project is exempted from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, the “common sense” exemption. This
exemption applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed General Plan
Amendment (GPA2025-0002) qualifies, as it merely
replaces the existing fire hazard severity zones map (Figure PS-11 of the Corona General Plan) with the updated map
issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal on March 24, 2025, and adopted by the Corona City Council on June 4, 2025.
9. Reason why project was exempt: See 8(g) above.
10. Lead Agency Contact Person:
Telephone:
Sandra Vanian, Planning Manager
951-279-3553
11. If filed by applicant: Attach Preliminary Exemption Assessment (Form “A”) before filing.
12. Has a Notice of Exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project? Yes ☒ No ☐
13. Was a public hearing held by the Lead Agency to consider the exemption? Yes ☒ No ☐ If yes, the date of the public hearing was: Click to enter date ________________________________
Signature Date: Click to enter date
Sylvia Edwards
Name Title: City Clerk
☒ Signed by Lead Agency ☐ Signed by Applicant
Date Received for Filing: Click to enter date
(Clerk Stamp Here)
Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21110, Public Resources Code.
Reference: Sections 21108, 21152, and 21152.1, Public Resources Code.