3/25/2025
1 RiversideCA.gov1
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City CouncilApril 8, 2025Public Review and CommentFire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility AreasFire Department RiversideCA.gov2
LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUNDLegislative Origins and Initial Implementation•Assembly Bill (AB) 337 – The "Bates Bill" (1992)•Enacted after the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire•Required OSFM to identify Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs)•Mandated recommendations to local governments for formal adoption•2008-2011 CAL FIRE Collaboration•Worked with local jurisdictions to designate VHFHSZ within LRAs•Required local governments to adopt these designations by ordinance•Allowed local agencies to implement more restrictive fire safety measures1 2 3/25/2025
2 RiversideCA.gov3
LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUNDRecent Legislative Developments & Expanded FHSZ Designations•Senate Bill (SB) 63 (2021)•Expanded FHSZ classifications to include:•Moderate•High•Very High•Marked a shift toward a comprehensive wildfire hazard evaluation•Assembly Bill (AB) 211 (2022)•Mandated local governments to adopt all three classifications by ordinance within 120 days of OSFM recommendations RiversideCA.gov4
BACKGROUNDBackground: History of Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA)•Evolution of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in California•Developed in response to increasing wildfire threats•Managed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) in collaboration with local jurisdictions•Uses systematic approach based on wildfire hazard potential•Factors Determining FHSZ Designations•Likelihood of fire occurrence and expected behavior over a 30- to 50-year period•Key considerations:•Fuel loading•Terrain•Fire weather conditions•Historical fire activity•Wind patterns3 4 3/25/2025
3 RiversideCA.gov5
BACKGROUNDBackground: History of Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA)•Previous FHSZ Maps•Developed by CALFIRE to identify high-risk wildfire areas.•First implemented in 2007 in SRA and later adopted for LRA.•Required updates due to climate change, drought, and WUI development.•Updated FHSZ Maps and Local Implication•Released in phases across California.•City of Riverside maps published on March 24, 2025.
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DISCUSSIONUpdated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps•Integrate new scientific models, climate data, and wildfire assessments for improved accuracy.•Essential for urban areas near wildlands, addressing ember transport and vegetation density.Key Implications for Local Governments:•Building Codes: WUI standards apply to new construction in High & Very High FHSZs.•Defensible Space: 100 feet of clearance required around structures.•Land Use & Planning: FHSZ designations must be incorporated into general plans, zoning, and emergency response.•Real Estate Disclosures: Property owners must disclose wildfire hazards during transactions.5 6 3/25/2025
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DISCUSSION•Updated FHSZ maps were released on March 24, 2025.•Government Code Section 51178 requires local agencies to make information availablefor public review and comment within 30 days of receipt.•Maps have been posted on the City’s website with a comment portal.–Properties are searchable by address and parcel number•City’s website has detailed information on history of FHSZ maps and science behindCal Fire’s implementation.
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DISCUSSIONScreen Shot of Website for Public Access and Review 7 8 3/25/2025
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This item contributes to Strategic Priority Number 2: Community Well-Being and Goal 2.6 – Strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery.Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATIONSThat the Council:1. Receive and review the updated FHSZ maps released by the Office of theState Fire Marshall (OSFM) on 3/24/2025; and2. Make the maps publicly available; and3. Solicit public comment9 10