County Fire website now features new Fire Hazard Severity Zone map

Map of California with color-coded fire hazard zones, overlaid by bold text reading "Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map." — *The California Office of the State Fire Marshal updated the Fire Hazard Severity Zone map to include three wildfire risk levels – moderate, high and very high.*

San Bernardino County residents are encouraged to review and provide feedback on the recently released Fire Hazard Severity Zone map from the California Office of the State Fire Marshal. This updated map categorizes county areas into three wildfire risk levels—moderate, high and very high—in alignment with SB 63 (2021).

The previous Fire Hazard Severity Zone map was last updated between 2008 and 2011 and identified only very high fire hazard zones in local responsibility areas. The new map includes all three fire hazard risk levels, helping residents gain a clearer understanding of wildfire threats in their communities.

Fire Hazard Severity Zone ratings are based on a range of factors, such as the likelihood of fire ignition, potential fire behavior under extreme weather, historical fire incidents, types of flammable vegetation, terrain features like hills and canyons, proximity to wildlands, and anticipated weather patterns over the next 50 years. In addition, the ratings account for flame and ember intrusion from nearby wildlands and flammable vegetation within urban areas, offering a more localized evaluation of wildfire risk.

While local governments cannot lower the state-assigned fire hazard risk ratings, they may choose to increase ratings if local conditions warrant.

These ratings guide important safety regulations, including California’s Wildland Urban Interface building codes. New buildings in high and very high-risk zones must follow enhanced safety construction standards, and property owners must maintain defensible space by clearing vegetation to reduce wildfire risk.

The public comment period for the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone map ends on April 30. The county will hold public hearings and ordinance readings before the formal adoption of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone map by the Board of Supervisors on June 10.

To learn more about the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map and submit public comment, visit sbcfire.org/fire-hazard-severity-zone-map.

Additional County Update News – April 17, 2025