Business Item 5a
STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Item
DATE: July 21, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Shari Meads, Community Development Director
THROUGH: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Conduct Second Reading and Adopt the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map, Ordinance 2025-775
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Hold a public hearing to conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-775, to adopt the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and find the Ordinance to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Public Resource Code 4202 mandates that the Office of the State Fire Marshal classify lands into fire hazard severity zones (FHSZs). The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) develops and publishes FHSZ maps that delineate zones of Very High, High, and Moderate fire hazard (fire likelihood) rather than risk (actual vulnerability). The City can increase, but not decrease, a parcel’s fire hazard severity level. The recent FHSZ map designates 1,935 parcels within Fortuna as having a Moderate FHSZ rating. In contrast, the previous (2007-2011) FHSZ map showed no fire hazard zones within the City.
The City of Fortuna must adopt the updated FHSZ map by ordinance and send a copy of said ordinance to the State Fire Marshal within 30 days of adoption.
PRIOR ACTIONS
• On April 14, 2025, the Fortuna Fire Protection District adopted the Fire Hazard Severity Map
• On June 16, 2025, the City Council conducted the first reading of Ordinance 2025-775
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This Ordinance is exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) in that the project has no potential to cause a significant effect on the environment and Section 15002(i)(1), in that adoption of the FHSZs and map is required by Government Code.
Business Item 5a
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Receive staff presentation and review Council questions with staff.
2. Open Public Comment.
3. Close Public Comment.
4. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-7755 and read by title only. Roll Call Vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map.
Attachment 2: Ordinance 2025-775.
Business Item 5a
City of Fortuna
Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map