Riverside County Fire Marshal updates fire hazard severity zones map for local areas

The City of Lake Elsinore held a City Council meeting on April 22, 2025, where Fire Marshal Tracy Williams presented an update on the local responsibility area (LRA) fire hazard severity zones map. The meeting began with Williams introducing a PowerPoint that outlined the rollout plan for new fire hazard severity maps across California, specifically focusing on Riverside County, which is in Phase 4 of the implementation process.

Williams explained that the new maps are a result of previous legislation aimed at identifying high fire hazard areas following devastating fires in the early 1990s. The maps are designed to provide a more detailed assessment of wildfire risks and are required to be adopted by local agencies. While local agencies cannot reduce the mapped areas, they may expand them. Riverside County has opted not to increase any areas at this time.

The presentation highlighted that the new maps show an expansion of high and very high fire hazard areas by approximately 20 to 23% within the city. Williams emphasized that the maps do not replace existing state responsibility area maps but coexist with them. The council was informed that the public has a 30-day period to comment on the maps, and the city must adopt them within 120 days of receipt, with a deadline set for July 1, 2025.

Key requirements for properties in these zones were discussed, including the need for defensible space and home hardening measures. Properties in very high fire areas will be subject to stricter regulations, including mandatory defensible space maintenance, while those in high fire areas will be recommended to maintain their properties but will not face enforcement actions unless they fall into the very high fire category.

Council members raised concerns about the potential impact of these new maps on homeowners' insurance, with some expressing skepticism about the state insurance commissioner's assurances that there would be no negative consequences. The discussion also included clarifications on what residents in various fire zones should do to comply with the new regulations, emphasizing that homeowners should maintain their properties without drastic measures like removing all trees.

The meeting concluded with a reminder for residents to engage in the public comment period regarding the maps and to stay informed about the requirements associated with their specific fire hazard zones. The council expressed gratitude to Williams for her informative presentation and encouraged community awareness and preparedness in light of the updated fire hazard assessments.