The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) released the second
phase of the local Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps (FHSZ).
Local jurisdictions are receiving notices from the Office of the
State Fire Marshal on the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire
Hazard Severity Zone maps. The State Fire Marshal is required to
identify levels of fire hazard based on consistent statewide
criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard expected. An
LRA is an area where the local government is responsible for
wildfire protection.
The OSFM is rolling out the maps in four phases, beginning with
Northern California. A detailed map of the rollout plan
throughout the state can be found
here. For Phase 1, there were sixteen counties identified as
having Moderate, High, Very High or a combination of Fire Hazard
Severity Zones (FHSZ). For Phase 2, eighteen counties along the
northern coast and bay area should have received notification of
their proposed fire hazard designation.
Counties in Phase 3 should expect a notification beginning March
10th followed by counties in Phase 4 receiving
communication beginning March 24th. Within 120 days of
receiving the recommended FHSZ’s, local agencies are required to
adopt the FHSZ’s by ordinance.
The OSFM has developed an information hub providing details
including guidelines and instructions. The information hub is
located
here. The OSFM is requesting local governments fill out the
Public Contact Survey which will be used for a public Webmap on
the CAL FIRE-Office of State Fire Marshal website.
