Agenda Item No: L.3
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: June 3, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Ordinance 2025-04 FD Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Adding Chapter 8B Fairfield Fire Hazard Severity Zones Recommended by the California State Fire Marshal
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Steven Conti, (707) 428-7550
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Hold public hearing; waive full reading, read by title only and introduce ordinance for first reading.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The California hazard maps are being updated to more accurately reflect zones susceptible to wildfire. New science in local climate data and improved fire assessment modeling are being incorporated to determine hazard ratings.
DISCUSSION
Government Code Section 51178 requires the California State Fire Marshal to identify and recommend areas within the state as Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones based on consistent statewide criteria and the severity hazard expected to prevail in those areas.
On February 24, 2025, the City of Fairfield received the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Map from the State Fire Marshal, identifying designated zones within the city’s jurisdiction .
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 51179(b)(3), the City is p rohibited from decreasing the level of fire hazard severity zone identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within Fairfield, and this adoption is consistent with the model ordinance issued by the State Fire Marshal.
The factors considered in deter mining fire hazard within wildland areas are fire history, flame length, terrain, local weather, and potential fuel over a 50-year period. Outside of wildlands, the
model considers factors that might lead to buildings being threatened, including terrain, weather, urban vegetation cover, blowing embers, proximity to wildland, fire history, and fire hazard in nearby wildlands. This is not a structure loss model, as key information regarding structure ignition is not included. The purpose of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone map is to assist the city of Fairfield, property owners, and the community in understanding areas of elevated fire risk. The designations help guide defensible space requirements, building standards, fire mitigation strategies, and public awareness efforts.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 51178.5, the City of Fairfield made the draft updated hazard zone recommendations available for public review and comment within 30 days of receiving them.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 51179, local agencies are required to adopt the fire hazard severity zone designations within 120 days of receiving the recommendations from the State Fire Marshal.
COORDINATED WITH
City Attorney’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
Taylor Armour, Administration Division Manager
(707) 428-7593
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Ordinance
Attachment 3: Exhibit A – Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map Attachment 4: Exhibit B – Fire Hazard Severity Zones FAQs