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1 RiversideCA.gov/Fire
1 RiversideCA.gov/Fire
Hawarden Fire Incident Update
and Wildfire Defensible Space
Planning
Steve McKinster, Fire Chief
October 22, 2024
RiversideCA.gov/Fire
2 Core
Values
OVERVIEW
• Hawarden Fire Background
• General Plan – Safety Element
• RPU Wildfire Mitigation Plan
• Legislation Changes
• Fire Insurance – Fire Risk Reduction Community
• City of Riverside – Development and adoption of a
local Defensible Space Ordinance
• Development of a Citywide Wildfire Preparedness Plan
1 2
CC Date: 10-22-24
Item No.: 49REVISED
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2 RiversideCA.gov/Fire3
Hawarden Incident: July 21, 2024Incident Information–(600) acres burned–(7) homes destroyed–(10) homes damaged–(1600) people effected–(200) sheltered in-place–(50) Engines–(4) Air Tankers–(4) Helicopters–(2) Hand crewsIncident Costs–Federal Management Assistance Grant (FMAG): 75% of Response Costs can be recovered.
BACKGROUND
RiversideCA.gov/Fire4
BACKGROUND•July 21, 2024: Hawarden Incident•August 5, 2024: Incident completed•August 8, 2024: City Council update•September 5, 2024:–Orange Terrace Community Center–Over (100) in attendance.
Hawarden Incident Review:3
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3 RiversideCA.gov/Fire5
Core ValuesDISCUSSIONHawarden IncidentThe Fire Department continues to compile information about the Hawarden Incidentfrom RFD and supporting agencies. The final report will provide, and a summary andan overview of the lessons learned during the Hawarden Incident.Preliminary key points included:Situational AwarenessAccountabilityStaffingCommunicationsLogisticsPlanning and Preparedness RiversideCA.gov/Fire6
Core ValuesBACKGROUNDGeneral Plan•Public Safety Element•The 2023 RPU Wildfire Mitigation plan •Reviewed by RFD •Meets all State Requirements •Implementation and budgeted through RPU 5 6
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4 RiversideCA.gov/Fire7
LEGISLATION
AB 38, Wood.Defensible Space Inspections –July 1, 2021 •Requires the seller of a real property located in the “Very High” Fire Severity Zone to submit proof of compliance with defensible space requirements prior to the close of escrow. Disclosure form. •Upon release of the revised maps, this requirement will apply to real estate transactions in both the “High” and “Very High” Fire Severity Zones.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire8
LEGISLATION SB 63, Stern.Fire prevention: Vegetation management, public education, grants, defensible space, fire hazard severity zones –September 28, 2021•Amends Section 51182 of the Government Code: A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains an occupied dwelling or occupied structure in a high or very high fire severity zone shall, at all times, maintain a minimum defensible space of 100’. This distance may be increased by local ordinance. 7 8
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5 RiversideCA.gov/Fire9
LEGISLATION AB 3074, Friedman.Fire prevention: Wildfire risk, defensible space, ember-resistant zones –January 1, 2021•Section 51186 of the Government Code is amended to require an ember-resistant zone within five feet of a structure.•The requirement for an ember-resistant zone takes effect for new structures once the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection updates the regulations.•The requirements for an ember-resistant zone shall take effect for existing structures one year after the effective date for the new structures.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire10
LEGISLATION “FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES” The current Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map was released in 2008 which caused 5,000 parcels in the city to be located within the Very High Fire Severity Zone.Revised maps are anticipated to be phased in early to mid-2025. 10,000-13,000 parcels are expected fall within the High and Very High zones.Once the new maps are adopted locally, all legislative revisions will take effect. 9 10
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6 RiversideCA.gov/Fire11
LEGISLATION “FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES” •The State Fire Marshal’s Office will zone the entire city into four categories. •Urban •Moderate •High •Very High•Upon release and subsequent local adoption of the new FHSZ maps, AB 38 Defensible Space Inspection requirements and development standards will be required in both the High and Very High FHSZ.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire12
DISCUSSION “WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN” •Citywide Wildfire Protection Plan•Identifies specific parcels that are at risk of wildfire•Includes parcels within FHSZ and local Wildland Urban Interface areas. 11 12
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7 RiversideCA.gov/Fire13
DISCUSSIONWildfire Mitigation: Fire Department is starting the process to develop a plan that will encompass wildland areas within the city that need to be managed.Defensible Space Ordinance: Once approved, ordinance will allow city to enforce vegetation management in public and privet lands.Community Risk Reduction Certification: State Board of Forestry Risk Reduction Community demonstrates City meets industry standards for wildfire prevention.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire14
DISCUSSION “RMC ADDITION” 16.32.366 – Section 4907.3 (5)Added – Local Defensible Space Ordinance and Inspection Section 4907 is amended by adding Section 4907.3 (5) to read as follows:5. Local Defensible Space Ordinance and Inspection - Vegetation management and clearance requirements in the Wildland Urban Interface areas shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code and the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. The type, amount, arrangement, and maintenance of vegetation in a fuel modification area, interior slope, or similarly hazardous area shall be in accordance with the City of Riverside Fire Department’s Informational Bulletin “Vegetation Management Guideline – Technical Design for New Construction, Fuel Modification Plans, and Maintenance”. 13 14
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8 RiversideCA.gov/Fire15
DISCUSSION “RMC ADDITION”a) All developed parcels with occupied dwellings or occupied structures located within a wildland urban interface area, or within any Fire Hazard Severity Zone, shall at all times maintain the required defensible space. At the request of the property owner or occupant, a Defensible Space Inspection can be requested. A fee for service will be assessed in compliance with the current City fee structure.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire16
DISCUSSION “FIRE RISK REDUCTION COMMUNITY”•The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection compiles a list of local agencies who meet criteria as a Fire Risk Reduction Community – Including a Defensible Space Ordinance requirement.•The National Fire Protection Association established the Firewise USA program aimed to help residents reduce wildfire risk. 15 16
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9 RiversideCA.gov/Fire17
DISCUSSION “FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES”
Fire Hazard Severity Zones:•2008 – Current Maps•5,000 parcels in Very High Severity Zone•2025 – New Maps (Anticipated)•10,000 parcels in High to Very High Severity Zones.When new maps are released AB 38 Defensible Space Inspections will be required in High to Very High Severity Zones.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire18
DISCUSSION “ENFORCEMENT / HABITAT”•Enforcement:–Code Enforcement is responsible for enforcing State laws (AB 38 / 3074) and responded to complaints related to overgrown vegetation. •Habitat/Wildlife/Challenges: –Many areas within the City require coordination with various private and/or governmental agencies before any type of vegetation management can occur. It is important, productive, and legally required to reach out to various entities to ensure that wildlife and native habitat is identified and protected as needed.–Areas Include: Private property owners, Army Corp of Engineers, State of California Fish and Wildlife County of Riverside, City of Riverside, Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District, Rivers and Lands Conservancy, Western Riverside Regional Conservation Authority, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and Friends of the Hills. 17 18
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10 RiversideCA.gov/Fire19
DISCUSSION “FIRE HAZARD INSURANCE”In recent years, many insurance companies have stopped issuing, or renewing insurance policies for homes in California. Many of the remaining companies require homeowners to provide documentation to show that a defensible space inspection was performed by their local fire agency.
RiversideCA.gov/Fire20
DISCUSSION “FIRE INSURANCE”Wildfire Mitigation and RiskStudies show that mitigation is reducing wildfire risks. A recent study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that structural modifications can reduce wildfire risk by 40%, and, when combined with vegetation modifications, can reduce risk by 75%.
Hazard Map versus Risk Assessment19
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11 RiversideCA.gov/Fire21
DISCUSSION “PUBLIC EDUCATION”•Public Announcements:–Social Media announcements with wildfire safety information.•Ready Riverside Website: –How to protect your home from wildfire. RiversideCA.gov/readyriverside/be-informed/hazards/wildfire RiversideCA.gov/Fire22
NEXT STEPS
December 3 and 17, 2025City Council Ordinance Reading
October 22, 2024City Council Workshop
November 20, 2024Safety, Wellness, & Youth Committee Presentation PROJECT TIMELINE2025 - InitiateWildfire Mitigation PlanFire Risk Reduction Community Certification 21 22
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12 RiversideCA.gov/Fire23
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENTStrategic Priorities No. 2: Community Well-BeingGoal No. 2.6: Strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery. 23