San Mateo adopts new fire hazard maps and updates safety ordinances

The San Mateo City Council held a regular meeting on June 16, 2025, addressing several key agenda items, including a celebration of Juneteenth, a presentation from the Leadership Council of San Mateo County, and a report on fire hazard maps and code modifications.

The meeting commenced with a heartfelt proclamation honoring Juneteenth, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in recognizing this significant holiday. A council member shared a personal story about their family’s connection to Juneteenth, highlighting its cultural relevance and the council's commitment to honoring it.

Following this, Karen Hardy and Margie Power, co-presidents of the Leadership Council of San Mateo County, presented an overview of their organization. Established in 2020, the Leadership Council aims to foster cross-sector collaboration among government, nonprofit, and business leaders to address complex community challenges. They discussed their leadership programs designed to empower individuals across various sectors, emphasizing the importance of building deep relationships to spark innovation. The council is seeking the City of San Mateo's partnership to enhance accessibility to leadership training and development opportunities for local residents.

The meeting then transitioned to a presentation by Fire Marshal Carissa Workman, who discussed the newly adopted Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zone maps. These maps classify areas as moderate, high, or very high hazard zones based on factors such as fuel loading and fire weather. Workman explained the necessity of adopting these maps to comply with state regulations and to enhance local fire safety measures. The council approved modifications to the fire code ordinance to include moderate hazard zones, allowing for more stringent building requirements and improved defensible space measures to mitigate wildfire risks.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the council's dedication to community engagement, leadership development, and public safety. The council plans to continue its efforts in these areas, with follow-up actions to solidify partnerships and implement the new fire safety measures.