The Laguna Woods City Council approved a second-reading ordinance on June 18 to adopt the state Fire Hazard Severity Zone designations for the city, fulfilling a statutory requirement after the state fire marshal released updated maps.

"All cities and counties are required to adopt fire hazard severity zones within 120 days of that map being released," a staff presenter said. The ordinance implements the state’s moderate, high and very high hazard zones without making the city’s maps more restrictive. Staff noted the city could not reduce state-designated severity levels but could, if desired, adopt stricter classifications.

Residents speaking during public comment pressed for local attention to fueling conditions inside Laguna Woods Village. Mike Rowe, a resident, said many trees appear desiccated and could create an ember-driven ignition risk. "I have a hard time believing that we are at low risk for fire in Laguna Woods," Rowe said. He urged removal of dead or dying trees and attention to large palms near structures.

City staff explained that the state-calculated maps use broad factors such as fuel loading, slope and fire weather and do not account for property-specific hardening. Staff reported the updated map increased the area in very high hazard from the 2012 maps and described the state process as conducted without local parcel-level input.

Council members said insurance carriers already assess wildfire risk independently and that coordination with property owners and mutuals is ongoing. One council member described a recent Gate 11 residents meeting where landscaping staff gave specific guidance on drought-tolerant, lower-risk plants and placement near windows to reduce ember risk.

The council adopted the ordinance by voice vote. No map changes were made beyond accepting the state designations; staff said future opportunities for local input when maps are updated could be explored.