Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ)

The long awaited LRA maps have been released.

On February 24, 2025, CAL FIRE released the 2nd Phase of our local Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. 125 cities and counties along the North Coast and Bay Area received recommendations with the three levels of fire hazard.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) & Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) Legislation Updates

The recent updates to Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in California provide a more accurate assessment of wildfire risks based on modern climate data and fire modeling. These updates affect both State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA), influencing fire prevention measures, building codes, and real estate disclosures.

Key Takeaways

FHSZ Classification: Properties are categorized as Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones based on terrain, vegetation, fire history, and climate conditions. Fire Hazard vs. Risk: The maps indicate hazard potential, not immediate risk, and do not account for mitigation efforts like defensible space or fire-resistant construction. 
 
Impact on Property Owners in Very High FHSZ must comply with stringent defensible space and home hardening requirements.
  • 100-foot defensible space clearance is mandatory around structures in these zones.
  • New construction and renovations in designated zones must adhere to Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes.
  • Property sellers must disclose FHSZ designations during real estate transactions.

Please click on the links below to view your city's FHSZ Map

Please click on the link below to view the FHSZ Map Viewer

Click on the magnifying glass on the top left of the map and type in your address to find out which zone you are in.

FHSZ Map Viewer

Legislative Updates

  • Senate Bill 63 (2021) now requires FHSZ classifications to include Moderate and High zones in addition to Very High, expanding fire hazard oversight.  California Code, GOV 51178. California Code, GOV 51178.5.
  • Assembly Bill 337 (1992) originally mandated the identification of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones following devastating wildfires.
  • Assembly Bill 211 (2022) requires local agencies to adopt Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ designations within 120 days of state recommendations. However, local governments cannot downgrade hazard levels identified by the state but may increase them if justified. California Code, GOV 51179.
  • Executive Order

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Mapping & Compliance

  • The State Fire Marshal is responsible for updating FHSZ maps, which are used to enforce fire safety standards across the state.
  • Residents can check their property's FHSZ status online at osfm.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ.
  • Local jurisdictions are required to review and adopt the updated maps, ensuring communities are better prepared for wildfire threats.

More Information

Understanding the Maps

What do the Maps Measure?

The maps show the physical conditions of landscapes, including fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other factors (such as wind) that are major causes of wildfire spread. The maps identify fire hazard not risk and are designated in three categories: moderate, high, and very high. Catastrophic risk is used as part of the modeling efforts for fire insurance.

Fire "hazard" vs. Fire "risk"

Fire "hazard": is based on physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfires, or fuel reduction.

Fire "risk": is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction.

Why does this matter?

The categories designate fire hazard, which then requires specific actions and mitigation measures, including meeting California Building Code Chapter 7A, defensible space, and fire safe regulations, per each category below. These measures are preventative and intended to help disclose fire hazards. 

Explore Fire Hazard Severity Zone

Explore Fire Hazard Severity Zones

The Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps are developed using a science-based and field-tested model that assigns a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. Many factors are considered such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for the area. There are three levels of hazard in the State Responsibility Areas: moderate, high, and very high.

Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps evaluate “hazard,” not “risk”. They are like flood zone maps, where lands are described in terms of the probability level of a particular area being inundated by floodwaters, and not specifically prescriptive of impacts. “Hazard” is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts. “Risk” is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction. 

You can enter your address to locate your property on a map showing Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Due to the nature of this content, some users who require Assistive Technology may experience accessibility issues. If you experience any problems while trying to access this content, please call the hotline at (916) 633-7655 or e-mail: [email protected].

Resources and Videos

Videos

Introduction Video: Learn about Fire Hazard Severity Zone in LRA

The History of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps

Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks. Legislative response led to mandated mapping across California under the California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, encompassing all State Responsibility Areas (SRA).

What are Fire Hazard Severity Zones?

The State Fire Marshal is mandated to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications:

  • Moderate
  • High
  • Very High

The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 and California Government Code 51175-89. 

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ'S About the New Maps

Can the local agency, decrease the severity levels identified on the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps?

The local agency cannot decrease the level of fire hazard severity zones as identified on the State Fire Marshal maps.  Government Code 51179(b)(3).  The local agency can do the following:

  • Include areas within the District, Town or County not identified as very high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal, as very high fire hazard severity zones following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that such designations are necessary for effective fire protection within the area.  Government Code 51179(b)(1).
  • Include areas within the District, Town or County, not identified as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal, as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones, respectively.  Government Code 51179(b)(2).
  • Increase the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the District, Town or County.  Government Code 51179(b)(3). 2