POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: VI C
MEETING DATE: 6/24/2025
TITLE
Second Reading of Ordinance 245 Adopting State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1) Adopt City Ordinance 245
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to State Government Code Section 51178, the State Fire Marshal is required to identify areas within the state fire hazard severity zones.
A Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) is a geographic area designated by the State as having a “Moderate,” “High,” or “Very High” risk of wildfire. This classification is based on scientific assessments of vegetation, terrain, weather patterns, and historical fire data.
CAL FIRE uses these zones primarily to inform building codes and to support wildfire mitigation efforts, particularly in State Responsibility Areas (SRAs), which are served by CAL FIRE, and in Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs), which generally encompass incorporated cities.
Point Arena is located within a Local Responsibility Area. Fire protection services in the City are provided by the Redwood Coast Fire Protection District.
Under Government Code Section 51179, cities and other local agencies are required to adopt the State’s FHSZ recommendations for LRAs within 120 days of receiving them.
Furthermore, Government Code Section 51179(b)(3) prohibits any local agency from designating a lower severity classification than that determined by the State Fire Marshal. Therefore, the City of Point Arena may not, for instance, reclassify an area identified as “Very High” to a “High” or “Moderate” zone. However, the City may designate a higher severity classification if the City Council makes findings supported by substantial evidence to justify the change.
The fire hazard severity model for wildland areas considers two primary factors: the probability of an area burning and the expected fire behavior under extreme fuel and weather conditions. Zones are determined based on similarities in burn probability and fire behavior characteristics. Key elements used in this assessment include fire history, flame length, terrain, local weather, and fuel potential over a 50-year period.
For non-wildland areas, the model also takes into account factors that may contribute to structural threat, such as terrain, weather, urban vegetation, embers, proximity to wildland areas, fire history, and adjacent wildland fire hazards. It is important to note that FHSZs are not designed to predict structure loss, as they do not include specific information about building construction or materials.
Ordinance No. 245 introduces Section 8.20.20 to the City of Point Arena Municipal Code, formally adopting CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone classifications. Under this ordinance, Point Arena is designated as a “Moderate” Fire Hazard Severity Zone in accordance with the State’s determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Ordinance 245
2. Point Arena Fire Hazard Map
3. FHSZ Questions & Answers
4. Public Notice
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
_________________________________
Peggy Ducey, Interim City Manager
ORDINANCE 245
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF POINT ARENA AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 8.20 AND ADOPTING STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP The City of Point Arena ordains as follows:
The City of Point Arena adds Section 8.20.020 to the City Municipal Code and hereby designates the Fire Hazard Severity Zone as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Codes Section 51178.
The map, approved by the City of Point Arena, is hereby incorporated by reference, and entitled “City of Point Arena Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
The official map is also located electronically on the following website: https://pointarena.ca.gov.
On the motion of __________, seconded by _______________.
Roll Call Vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
The foregoing ordinance was passed and adopted on June 24, 2025. ___________________________________ _______________________________________ Anna Dobbins Molly Haviland
Mayor Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________________
Baron Bettenhausen
City Attorney