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Council adopts state‑mapped fire hazard severity zones for Bolsa Chica area; few immediate property changes expected
Summary
Following CAL FIRE’s new statewide modeling, council adopted uncodified Ordinance 4336 adopting the state’s wildland fire hazard severity maps that include part of the Bolsa Chica wetlands area; staff said immediate impacts are limited to a required hazard disclosure inspection for property transactions in the high zone.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — The Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance adopting the California State Fire Marshal’s 2025 wildland fire hazard severity maps for the city, a step municipalities must take after CAL FIRE publishes its updated modeling.
Chief Sean McCoy of the Huntington Beach Fire Department explained that new state modeling incorporated ember spread, fuel load and slope and, as a result, portions of land near the Bolsa Chica wetlands are now classified as high fire hazard severity zones. Under Government Code section 51178, the council must accept the state maps or, in limited circumstances, expand but not reduce them.
Chief McCoy told the council that the immediate practical effects are limited: properties in the high severity zone will be subject to a fire hazard disclosure inspection at the time of property transactions; staff are preparing an inspection procedure and a fee to cover the service. Existing structures and remodels in moderate and high zones will not be retroactively required to meet the new California Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) building code standards scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2026 — but new construction likely will.
The fire department launched a public story‑map with interactive maps and posted guidance from the California Department of Insurance noting that insurers use more detailed risk tools. Chief McCoy said the story map had more than 1,000 accesses and that the department held outreach with neighborhood homeowner associations.
Council adopted uncodified Ordinance 4336 by a 7‑0 vote. Councilmembers and staff said they will continue to monitor state guidance and work to implement any required changes and public outreach.
