Report to City Council
ID: 25-0197 Page 1
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jesse Park, Fire Chief
AGENDA DATE: April 15, 2025
TITLE: OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL UPDATE TO
LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA S FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONE MAP (REPORT OF: FIRE)
TITLE SUMMARY: Office of the State Fire Marshal Update to Local Responsibility Areas Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
Adoption Process
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Receive and file the information only report.
SUMMARY
This report provides a receive and file overview of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) update to Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps (LRA FHSZ) and requirements for local adoption. The updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for all of southern California was released March 24, 2025.
DISCUSSION
Past wildfires led to the improvement of regulations in California (PRC 4201) beginning with State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones established as a result of the 1980 Panorama Fire. Eleven years later the LRA FHSZ was established (AB 337) resulting from the impacts to Oakland’s Tunnel Fire, which was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record.
ID: 25-0197 Page 2
Today, Government Code Sections 51177 -51179 assign responsibil ity to the OSFM to designate areas that are moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zones statewide based on fuel loading slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winders have been identified as a major cause of wildf ire spread. The designations are represented on maps generated by the State of California and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
Furthermore, local agencies are now required to:
1. Within 30 days of the release of the map, make the information available for public review and comment. The updated LRA FHSZ for Moreno Valley was made available to the public on April 3, 2025 and can be found at https://moval.gov/departments/fire/HighFireMap-Review.html.
2. Within 120 days of the release of the map, adopt the recommended map by local ordinance. The proposed ordinance will be introduced and submitted for adoption at the regular City Council meeting s scheduled for June 3, 2025, and June 17, 2025, respectively.
3. Within 30 days of local ordinance adoptions submit the ordinance to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
It is important to note that while the public review and comment period is required by the State, the City of Moreno Valley has no authority to modify the designations established by the OSFM.
About the maps:
Specifically, the maps identify fire “hazard ” not fire “risk.” Fire “hazard” is based on 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 wildfires, or fuel reduction. Fire “risk ” is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction, defensible space and ignition resistant building construction.
The maps show areas that are impacted by existing requi rements as established by Chapter 7A of the California Building Code in relation to building standards for new construction; Fire Safe Regulations in relation to property development standards such as road widths, water supply and signage; Government code 51182 in relation to defensible space requirements; and natural hazard real estate disclosures.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Receive and file. This alternative is recommended by staff.
2. Do not receive and file. This alternative is not recommended by staff.
ID: 25-0197 Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City of Moreno Valley.
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Shanna Palau Jesse Park
Public Safety Contracts Administrator Fire Chief
Concurred By:
Edgar Gonzalez
Fire Marshal
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Public Safety: Provide a safe and secure environment for people and property in the community, control the number and severity of fire and hazardous material incidents, and provide protection for citizens who live, work and visit the City of Moreno Valley.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
6. Youth Programs
ID: 25-0197 Page 4
Report Approval Details
Document
Title:
STAFFREPORT_FD_FIREHAZARDSEVERITYZONEMAPUPDATE
(1).docx
Attachments: - FHSZ_City_LRA_11x17_MorenoValley.pdf
Final
Approval
Date:
Apr 9, 2025
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
No Signature - Task assigned to Jesse Park was completed by assistant Shanna Palau
Jesse Park
Natalia Lopez
Dena Heald
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Patty Rodriguez