State Fire Marshal Releases New Fire Severity Hazard Map for Lake Forest

On March 24, 2025, CAL FIRE transmitted new Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps to Orange County cities and the County. 

The maps show geographic areas of each respective jurisdiction, updated for 2025, which the State Fire Marshal has identified as Moderate, High, and Very High Hazard Severity Zones based on the severity of the fire hazard that is expected in each area. The zones are used for several purposes including to designate areas where California’s defensible space standards and wildland urban interface building codes apply. They can be a factor in real estate disclosure and the City references the FHSZ designations in its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

State law requires local jurisdictions to:

• Make the map available for public review and comment within 30 days of its transmittal to the local government.
• Adopt a map by ordinance designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones within 120 days of its transmittal to the local government.
• File the adopted ordinance and map with the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of ordinance/map adoption.

The new maps expand the boundaries of the FHSZs relative to the boundaries depicted on the current FHSZ map, which was prepared by CAL FIRE in 2007.  The 2007 to 2025 changes are best illustrated by a comparison of the two maps, which are provided as Attachments 1 and 2.   

Under State law, local jurisdictions may expand FHSZ designations beyond the geographic areas recommended by the State Fire Marshal, with a finding supported by substantial evidence, but may not contract the areas or decrease the FHSZ levels (Moderate, High, Very High) designated on the CAL FIRE maps.