Ukiah monitors state fire severity maps as federal vegetation-management grant funding remains uncertain

City staff told the Ukiah City Council they are monitoring an imminent state release of updated fire-hazard severity zone maps and that a federal grant for vegetation management is currently uncertain.

The city manager reported that the state is rolling out updated fire hazard severity zones in five tranches and that the next tranche affecting Mendocino-area jurisdictions is expected imminently. Staff said local governments have a short public-notice window to make the maps available and must adopt an ordinance responding to the zones; the state’s model ordinance will supply required elements, though localities can adopt stricter measures.

Staff also reported concern about the status of a federal fire mitigation/vegetation management grant that had funded equipment purchases and hiring. The city said it received an advance on the award and has roughly $250,000 remaining from that advance; that money has been used to procure vehicles, chippers and to hire a supervisor, and staff are interviewing for field crews. Because of lead times on equipment and hiring, staff said the city proceeded with purchases and hiring preparations while awaiting final grant allocations, but that further advances or continued funding remain uncertain and subject to the federal grant administrator’s decisions.

City staff emphasized the importance of the program for shaded-fuel break work, homeowner assistance, and adding staff capacity for wildland response. Staff said they would continue to engage with grant representatives and keep the council and public informed about the grant’s status and the upcoming state map release.