Humboldt County Council introduces ordinance for new fire hazard severity zones

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors convened on June 10, 2025, to discuss significant updates to local fire hazard regulations and emergency management protocols. The meeting began with the introduction of an ordinance aimed at amending the Humboldt County Code to establish fire hazard severity zones within local responsibility areas.

John Ford and Augustus Grochow presented the proposed fire hazard severity map, which is essential for identifying areas at risk of wildfires. The map, required by the state fire marshal, categorizes regions from Stafford to Trinidad, although Trinidad's specific zones fall under city jurisdiction. The board discussed the importance of adopting these maps in compliance with California government code, emphasizing that the state did not recommend any very high fire hazard zones for unincorporated areas.

The board's recommendation included adopting the resolution that finds the adoption of the state-recommended fire hazard severity zones as not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), thus expediting the process. The ordinance is set for adoption on June 24, 2025. The discussion highlighted the need for accurate mapping to inform property buyers about fire risks, with suggestions for future amendments to include areas that have experienced multiple fires.

Public comments reflected concerns about the accuracy of the fire hazard designations, particularly regarding areas that have burned repeatedly. One speaker urged the board to consider creating an ad hoc committee to reassess fire severity ratings based on historical data. The board acknowledged these concerns, with Supervisor Madrone noting that many areas in Eastern Humboldt County are already classified as high to very high severity zones.

The meeting also addressed an amendment to the Humboldt County disaster council's organization, aligning local emergency management protocols with the California Emergency Services Act. This amendment proposes extending the renewal period for local emergency proclamations from 30 to 60 days and local health emergencies from 14 to 30 days. The changes aim to streamline emergency management processes and include additional department heads in the disaster council to enhance response and recovery efforts.

The board unanimously approved the motion to introduce the fire hazard severity ordinance and the disaster council amendment, marking a proactive step towards improving fire safety and emergency preparedness in Humboldt County. The next steps will involve further discussions and the scheduled adoption of the proposed measures later this month.