Adopt new California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection fire hazard classifications for Local Responsibility Areas. (No general fund impact) (Webb/Galindo)

In compliance with Government Code §51179, staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the State-recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) classifications for all applicable Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). These include:

This adoption will ensure consistency with state law, support ongoing fire prevention and planning efforts, and maintain eligibility for state and federal wildfire resilience funding.

Background
In 2007, CAL FIRE completed an update of the Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) for all State Responsibility Areas (SRA). Between 2008 and 2011, CalFIRE collaborated with local governments to develop recommendations for Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). These efforts were conducted under the authority of Public Resources Code § 4202 and Government Code § 51178, which direct the State Fire Marshal to classify lands based on factors such as fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and wind exposure.

FHSZ maps indicate “hazard,” not “risk.” Hazard reflects the likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30- to 50-year period, independent of mitigation measures like defensible space or structure hardening. The maps do not account for the presence of ignition-resistant construction or fuel treatments, which are considered when evaluating “risk.”

The classification process uses a scientifically developed model to evaluate both the probability of wildfire and expected fire behavior. This model incorporates:

FHSZ maps are used for several key purposes:

Legal Requirements
Under Government Code § 51179, a local agency must adopt the State Fire Marshal’s recommended FHSZ classifications—Moderate, High, and Very High—within 120 days of receipt. For Yolo County, that deadline is June 24, 2025 (120 days after February 24, 2025).

Per Government Code sections 51179 and 51183:

Local Context
In March 2025, Yolo County published the updated FHSZ maps for LRAs for public comment. These were shared with the Yolo County Fire Safe Council and other community stakeholders. As of the date of this report, no public comments have been received.

LRA areas include incorporated cities, agricultural regions, and urban developments. Wildfire protection in these zones is typically managed by local fire departments, districts, or counties, occasionally in partnership with CAL FIRE. State Responsibility Areas, by contrast, include primarily wildland areas where CAL FIRE holds direct responsibility for suppression and prevention.

Next Steps and Recommendation
In compliance with Government Code §51179, staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the State-designated FHSZ classifications for all applicable LRA areas. These include:

This adoption will ensure consistency with state law, support ongoing fire prevention and planning efforts, and maintain eligibility for state and federal wildfire resilience funding.

County Counsel
County Administrative Office
Office of Emergency Services
Yolo County Fire Safe Council & participating agencies
Solano County Fire Safe Council
Yolo County Community Services
CalFIRE