Local jurisdictions are receiving notices from the Office of the
State Fire Marshal (OSFM) on the Local Responsibility Area (LRA)
Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) 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 are sixteen counties identified as
having Moderate, High, Very High or a combination of Fire Hazard
Severity Zones (FHSZ). Within 120 days of receiving the
recommended FHSZ’s, local agencies are required to adopt the
FHSZ’s by ordinance.
