Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Hazard Maps topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts updated CAL FIRE local area fire hazard severity zone maps
Summary
After a public hearing, the Whittier City Council adopted an ordinance updating the city's CAL FIRE local area fire hazard severity zone maps; staff said the maps were released March 24 and the city held a virtual workshop June 18 to gather input.
The Whittier City Council held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance updating the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps that cover parts of the city’s hillside areas.
City staff told the council the updated maps were released by the state fire marshal on March 24 and the city posted materials and hosted a virtual public workshop on June 18 as part of the review process. The ordinance before the council was the map adoption prepared for the second reading.
"The updated fire maps were released by the state fire marshal on March 24," said city staff presenting the item, and staff recommended ordinance adoption. The staff report and packet also included presentations from the Habitat Authority and Los Angeles County Fire about the mapping and public engagement.
Council members asked about potential effects on insurance. Staff noted the state insurance commissioner had issued guidance saying there is not a direct one‑to‑one link between the CAL FIRE maps and individual insurance carriers’ maps — insurers produce their own risk maps and rate structures — and the maps are one factor among many.
After closing the public hearing with no speakers at the lectern and no remote commenters on this item, the council adopted Ordinance No. 3,165 updating the CAL FIRE maps by roll call vote. Council members recorded aye votes in the roll call.
What happens next: The ordinance puts the city’s mapped designations on the local record. Implementation details such as vegetation management, defensible‑space programs and coordination with the Habitat Authority and county fire will continue through established programs and the city’s existing permitting and code enforcement processes.
