California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California State Fire Marshal’s Office

New Wildland Building Standards Tied to Fire Hazard Zones Prompt Statewide Map Update

The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is re-mapping fire hazard severity zones for lands where the State has fiscal responsibility for wildland fire protection (State Responsibility Area) and is preparing Very High Fire Hazard Severity recommendations for local responsibility areas. This mapping is being done under authorities defined in PRC 4201 and GC 51175. This effort incorporates improved wildland fire behavior science, data sets, and understanding of structure ignition mechanisms during conflagrations.

The California Building Commission adopted the Wildland-Urban Interface codes in late 2005. The majority of the new requirements take effect in 2008 (see Effective Dates of Code for details). These new codes include provisions for ignition resistant construction standards in the wildland urban interface. The updated fire hazard severity zones will be used by building officials to determine appropriate construction materials for new buildings in the wildland urban interface. The updated zones will also be used by property owners to comply with natural hazards disclosure requirements at time of property sale. It is likely that the fire hazard severity zones will be used by local government as they update the safety element of general plans.