FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #2
MEETING DATE April 2, 2025
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Dan Mahoney, Ross Valley Fire Chief
SUBJECT Introduce and Read by Title Only an Ordinance to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas and Adopt a Resolution Scheduling a Public Hearing on May 7, 2025
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce and Read by Title Only an Ordinance to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas and Adopt a Resolution Scheduling a Public Hearing on May 7, 2025.
PROCEDURAL NOTE
California Government Code Section 51179(a) mandates that local agencies "shall designate, by ordinance, moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones in [their] jurisdiction within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178. The Town of Fairfax received the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Serenity Zone Map on February 24, 2025.
BACKGROUND
This item involves consideration of an ordinance, to designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Area (LRA) and reference Fairfax LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map, published February 24, 2025.
The State Fire Marshal is required to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas (SRA) into Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Prompted by the devastating 1991 Oakland Hills Fire, in 1992, state law expanded the requirement for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to evaluate fire hazard severity in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) as well.
More recently, in 2021 CAL FIRE was tasked with identifying Moderate and High Fire Hazard Severity Zones along with the Very High in LRAs. This means that previous 2007 LRA maps that only contained very high classifications and now must also identify moderate and high zones The updated (2025) Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps for LRAs will designate fire hazard levels for all areas where fire service is not the responsibility of the state or federal government. (A separate map showing the State Responsibility Area (SRA), was recently updated and became effective in 2024.) CAL FIRE developed the recommended map using a science-based and field-tested model that assigns a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. The fire hazard severity model for wild-land fire has two key elements: probability of an area burning and expected fire behavior under extreme fuel and weather conditions. Many factors are considered, such as fire history, 2 existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for an area.
The Fire Hazard Severity Zone map reflects “hazard,” not “risk”. The map is like a flood zone map, where lands are described in terms of the probability level of a particular area being inundated by floodwaters; “Hazard” is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts.
These maps are created by CAL FIRE under the direction of the State Fire Marshal without local jurisdictional input or influence. California Government Code Section 51179(3) A local agency shall not decrease the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local agency, and, in exercising its discretion pursuant to paragraph (2), may only increase the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local agency. Local agencies are not permitted to decrease or remove areas from the CAL FIRE recommended fire hazard severity zone map, meaning they can only designate areas as a higher hazard than what the map indicates.
History & Local Implementation:
The original FHSZ maps, released in 2007, imposed mandatory construction and defensible space requirements only on parcels identified as Very High. In 2007, the Fairfax Council formally adopted the Town’s Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) map. This map was created to identify areas where wildfires could impact communities and properties, considering both hazard and risk. The WUI map designated parts of the Town where defensible space, vegetation management and ignition resistant construction methods were necessary. Since the initial adoption of the maps, town construction codes were updated to mandate the use of ignition-resistant construction materials for both new developments and certain remodels of existing structures.
The 2025 FHSZ maps extend beyond the WUI map, expanding vegetation and defensible space requirements and ignition resistant construction methods to the majority of the Town.
DISCUSSION
The ordinance under consideration would designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) based on the updated LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map published on February 24, 2025.
State law required CAL FIRE to evaluate fire hazard severity in LRAs. In 2021, CAL FIRE expanded its classifications to include Moderate and High hazard zones in addition to Very High zones. The updated maps identify fire hazard levels in areas not covered by state or federal fire services.
CAL FIRE developed the maps using a scientific model that assesses fire probability and behavior based on factors like fire history, vegetation, terrain, and weather conditions. These maps indicate hazard (fire likelihood) rather than risk (actual vulnerability).
3 Per California Government Code Section 51179(3), local agencies cannot reduce hazard levels but may increase them.
The 2025 FHSZ maps extend beyond the WUI map, expanding vegetation and defensible space requirements to the majority of the Town.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft Ordinance
B. Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing
C. Fairfax LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
D. Fairfax Wildland-Urban Interface Map
ATTACHMENT A
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX TO DESIGNATE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREAS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code 51178, the State Fire Marshal shall identify 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.
WHEREAS, 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.
WHEREAS, Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) are in incorporated cities, urban regions, agricultural lands, and portions of the desert where the local government is responsible for wildfire protection. This is typically provided by city departments, fire protection districts, counties, and by CALFIRE under contract.
WHEREAS, this Ordinance No. ___ was introduced and read by title only at a meeting of the Fairfax Town Council on the 2nd day of April 2025.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax the following:
SECTION 1.
1. The town hereby designates the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.
2. The map approved by the town, is hereby incorporated by reference, and entitled “Fairfax LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones.”
3. The official map is located electronically with the Town of Fairfax at www.townoffairfax.org.
SECTION 2: Severability. The Town Council hereby declares every section, paragraph, sentence, clause, and phrase is severable. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason found to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity, or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases.
SECTION 3: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after the date of its passage. Within fifteen (15) days following its passage, a summary of the Ordinance shall be published with the names of those Town Council members voting for and Ordinance XXX
against the Ordinance and the Town Clerk shall post in the office of the Town Clerk a certified copy of the full text of the adopted Ordinance along with the names of the members voting for and against the Ordinance.
THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was first read at a regular meeting of the Fairfax Town Council on the 2nd day of April, 2025, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Farfax Town Council on the 7th day of May, 2025 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST
_________________________________ _________________________________
LISEL BLASH CHRISTINE FOSTER
MAYOR DEPUTY TOWN CLERK
ATTACHMENT B
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX
CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE
DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREAS WHEREAS, the State Fire Marshal transmitted updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs) to the Town of Fairfax on February 24, 2025, as required by California Government Code Section 51178; and WHEREAS, the Town is required by Government Code Section 51179 to designate, by ordinance, fire hazard severity zones within its jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, the Town Council must conduct a public hearing prior to adoption of the ordinance designating such zones;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax hereby schedules a public hearing for May 7, 2025, to consider the second reading and adoption of an ordinance designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas based on the updated map provided by the State Fire Marshal.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of April, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST
_________________________________ _________________________________
LISEL BLASH CHRISTINE FOSTER
MAYOR DEPUTY TOWN CLERK
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 Unzoned LRA
Incorporated City
Projection: NAD 83 California Teale Albers
Scale: 1:20,000 at 11" x 17"
Km 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
Mi 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Very High High Moderate
Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility Area (SRA), Effective April 1, 2024
High Moderate
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in Local Responsibility Area (LRA), as Identified by the State Fire Marshal
Fairfax
Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Bolinas
Rd
Scenic Rd
Frustuck
Ave
Meernaa Ave
Tamalpais Rd
ForrestAve
Hillside
Dr
Pine Dr
Cascade Dr
UNINCORPORATED
MARIN CO.
UNINCORPORATED
MARIN CO.
SAN ANSELMO
SAN RAFAEL
February 24, 2025
As Identified by the
State Fire Marshal
Local Responsibility Area
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
CITY OF FAIRFAX – MARIN COUNTY
ATTACHMENT C
Bolinas R d
Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Cascade Dr
Olema Rd
Forrest Ave
Oak Manor Dr
Sky Oa
ks
Rd
Pipel ine Fire Rd
Bothin Rd
Scenic Rd
La urel Dr
Pine Dr
Wilder Rd
Toyon F ire Rd
Center Blvd
Glen
Dr
Irving Dr
Butterfield Rd
Concrete P ipe Rd
Van Winkle Dr
Gregory
Dr
T oyon Dr
Canyon Rd
Deer Park Fire Rd
Willow Ave
Porteous Ave
Wood Ln
Fairfax Ridge Rd
Hillside Dr
Iron Springs Rd
Bullfrog Fire Rd
Broadway
Fairfax Bolinas Rd
Meernaa Ave
Park Rd
Timber Canyon Rd
Golf Club Service Rd
Woodside Dr
Lisa Dr
Shaver Grade Fire Rd
Ridgeway Ave
White Hill Fire Rd
Cypress Dr
Mitchell Dr
Tamalpais Rd
Valley
Rd
Marinda Fire Rd
Crest Rd
Martling Rd
Arequipa Fire Rd
Madrone Rd
Frust uck Ave
Dutch Valley Ln
Blue Ridge Fire Rd
Marinda Dr
Raven Rd
Oak Manor Fire Rd
Taylor Dr Redwood Rd
Oak
Rd
Bosque Ave
Spruce
Rd
Cascade Fire Rd
Fawn
Ridge
Old Railroad Grade
Stuyvesant Dr
Chester Ave
Fr ancis Ave
Summit Rd
Eagles Rd
Cub Land Rd
Manor View
Smith Ridge Fire Rd
Oak Springs Dr
Piper Ln
San Gabriel Dr
Scenic Av e
Creek Rd
Dominga Ave
Old Railroad Grade Trl
Gunsight Fire Rd
Bennit Ave
Rocca Dr
Hickory Rd
Maple
A ve
Belle Ave
Sequoia Rd
Ridge Rd
Laura Ln
Hunter Creek Rd
Ber ry Trl
Tarry Rd
Buena Vista Ave
Mariele D r
Azalea Ave
F ir Trl
De Burgh Dr
Park Ln
Legend Rd
Hillcrest Ct
Monte Vista Rd
Wimbledon
Ln
Rock Ridge Rd
Power Ln
Kat rina
Ln
Acacia Rd
Mono Ln
Hill Av e
Bay Rd
Claus Dr
Suffield Ave
Merwin Ave
Manor Rd
Live O ak Ave
Spruce Ave
Cherne Ln
W Oak Kn oll Dr
Piper Ct
Inyo Ave
Spri ng Ln
Vo n C t
Holly Rd
A lhamb ra Cir
Worn Springs Fire Rd
Scenic Trl
Arcangel Ct
E llsworth
Ln
Deer Creek Ct
Mountain View Rd
Mono Ave
Mead o w Way
Deer Park Dr
Wreden Ave
Gary Way
Ichabod Ct
Ivy Ln
Elsie Ln
June Ct
Van Ripper Ct
Pastori Ave
Creek Rd
Cypress
Dr
Legend
FAIRFAX TOWN LIMITS
Sleepy Hollow FPD Parcels
PARCELS outside zone
file:
H:\Fire\RossValleyFire\WUI\WUI_RV_Towns.mxd
ROSS VALLEY FIRE/County - WUI
Wildland-Urban Interface Zones
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 500
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
Feet
ATTACHMENT D
µ