New CA Fire Hazard Maps Shows Marked Increase In SoCal High Risk Zones

Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

For the first time in 14 years, state fire officials have released updated fire hazard maps for Southern California, identifying areas most at risk for wildfires in the coming decades. Released Monday, the maps follow January wildfires near Pacific Palisades and Altadena that burned more than 12,000 homes—an urgent reminder of the region’s growing wildfire threat, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Developed by Cal Fire, the maps forecast wildfire probability over the next 30 to 50 years across eight counties. They also show where stricter fire-resistant building codes and brush clearance rules apply, offering guidance for local planning decisions.

“I see them as an educational tool to let people know the potential hazards in an area if they were to move there or if they live there already,” said Brad Weisshaupt, Los Angeles County’s assistant fire chief. “And (it can) help inform decisions when working on their house and what they plant around their house.”

The maps include parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Mono and Inyo counties. These areas are where local departments manage fire protection. They complement earlier releases for Northern and Central California.

Compared to older maps from 2007–2011, the updated versions categorize land into three hazard levels: moderate, high, and very-high, based on terrain, vegetation, fire history, and weather.

Homeowners in high-risk zones will face tighter regulations. State codes require fire-resistant roofs, double-pane windows, and ember-resistant vents for new homes. Defensible space rules demand vegetation control within 100 feet of structures, with stricter standards within 30 feet.

Counties like Los Angeles and Orange conduct annual brush inspections, with penalties up to $500 for violations. Real estate laws also require sellers to disclose if a property lies in a high-risk zone and confirm compliance with fire safety rules. Meanwhile, the state is working on a new “Zone 0” regulation banning flammable materials within 5 feet of structures.

The revised maps show a statewide increase in high-risk areas—1.4 million acres, up from 800,000. Still, insurance rates are expected to remain unchanged, as most companies use independent risk models.

Officials hope the new maps will raise awareness and promote wildfire preparedness.

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