Response to Grand
Jury Report:
Wildfires Hit Home
Fire Chief Eric McCoy
Purpose of the Report
• The Grand Jury convened to address increasing challenges for homeowners living in the fire hazard severity zones.
• Goal to:
• Identify shared responsibilities of local governments, fire service agencies, communities, and homeowners to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface.
• Investigate actions taken by the California legislature and Department of Insurance to provide relief to policy holders. • Inform communities and homeowners about home
hardening, defensible space, insurance risk reduction and wildfire safety awareness.
PC833.05 Response
• For Each Finding:
• Must state Agree or Disagree (wholly or partially)
• If disagreeing, must specify which part and explain
the reasons
PC833.05 Response
• For Each Recommendation:
• Must choose one of the following:
• Implemented (include a summary of actions
taken)
• Will be implemented (provide a timeline)
• Requires further analysis (explain scope and
provide timeline)
Background & Context
How Huntington Beach became home to a Fire Hazard Severity Zone In 2025, updated Local Responsibility Area maps
designated the City's first High Fire Hazard Severity
Zone (HFHSZ). The City adopted the CalFire maps
by Ordinance No. 4336 following a robust public
engagement process, then launched a defensible-
space inspection program under Civil Code 1102.19.
Lower hazard than our neighbors. With a relatively
small HFHSZ and no Very High zones, Huntington
Beach homeowners face significantly less hazard
than Orange County cities that contain VHFHSZs.
217
Parcels in the new HFHSZ
Mostly single-family homes
2025
First HFHSZ designated
Via updated LRA maps
No. 4336
Ordinance adopting CalFire maps
After public engagement
1102.19
Civil Code inspection basis
Defensible-space program
Findings and
Responses
Grand Jury Findings • F1–F3
The City Council response to all six findings is AGREE
F1
Wildfires are driving up insurance costs
Premium increases, non-renewals, and inability to obtain coverage are escalating in the wildland-urban interface.
AGREE
City response: Brightwater HOA — the largest part of the HFHSZ — reports no owners currently facing increased
premiums.
F2
Home ignition zone actions prevent disaster
Reducing ignition potential in the home ignition zone can prevent a wildland-urban interface conflagration.
AGREE
City response: HBFD enforces the Brightwater Fuel
Modification Plan and shares wildland safety info city- wide.
F3
Community engagement increases effectiveness
Outreach on home hardening and defensible space improves both wildfire and insurance-risk mitigation.
AGREE
City response: Educational materials are online; outreach is expanding through events, fairs, and HOA gatherings.
Grand Jury Findings • F4–F6
Mitigation designations, insurer discounts, and state grant funding F4
Mitigation designations reduce risk & premiums
Firewise USA, Fire Risk Reduction Community, and IBHS certifications lower wildfire risk and can lower premiums.
AGREE
City response: The Brightwater Fuel Modification Plan
already requires community defensible space; HBFD will
keep promoting designations.
F5
Safer from Wildfire requires insurer discounts
Insurers must offer discounts for home-hardening and defensible-space measures — regardless of hazard zone.
AGREE
City response: Already shared with the Brightwater HOA; HBFD will promote these regulations to the broader
community.
F6
AB 888 grant funding aids resilience
The California Safe Homes Grant Program funds home-hardening and defensible-space work for eligible owners.
AGREE
City response: HBFD will share grant information via
print, social media, OC wildfire fairs, and HOA
presentations.
Recommendations • R2 & R4
Both recommendations: WILL BE IMPLEMENTED by December 31, 2026 R2
Countywide Wildfire Prevention
Fair
Commit to participating in the annual wildfire prevention fair planned by the OC Board of Supervisors to showcase prevention outreach.
WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
• HBFD, is prepared to participate in the near future.
• Residents — especially those in the HFHSZ — will be encouraged to attend.
R4
Resident Outreach & Direct
Contact
Distribute information, develop local outreach programs, and establish a direct point of contact for residents.
WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
• Launched a Wildland Fire Hazard Severity Zone webpage. • Direct contact maintained with the Brightwater HOA.
• Community Risk Reduction Division leads and is expanding outreach.
W H E R E W E G O F R O M H E R E
Actions Underway
HFHSZ Webpage
Defensible-space and home-hardening
guidance, building requirements, and
inspection requests.
Inspection Program
Defensible-space inspections
documenting findings under Civil Code
1102.19.
Direct Engagement
Ongoing contact with the Brightwater
HOA and residents near open-space
fuels.
Expanding Reach
From Brightwater to every home,
condo, and apartment community in
the HFHSZ.
Our commitment. HBFD will continue to ensure residents have the knowledge and resources to reduce fire risk — and to maintain robust wildfire prevention that helps combat the rising cost of insurance.
Huntington Beach Fire Department • Community Risk Reduction Division Recommended
Action
Staff Recommendations
• Approve transmittal letter with formal response
• Authorize the Mayor to sign and submit the response
to the Presiding Superior Court Judge
• Direct staff to ensure continued compliance with
Grand Jury recommendations
Alternative Action
• Do not approve the formal response, and direct staff
accordingly.
Questions?